Purpose-focused SEL in high school: an evaluation of the Wayfinder purpose curriculum

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Wayfinder Purpose Curriculum, a universal SEL program that provides educators with tools and training to support high school students' development of purpose and other fundamental social-emotional skills. A quasi-experimental design was used to evaluate the effect of the curriculum on students' self-reported purpose, social awareness, cultural awareness, school engagement, school belonging, identity expression, and emotion regulation. Two studies were conducted: Study 1 had a total of 137 high school seniors (including 77 Wayfinder students and 60 comparison group students), and Study 2 had a total of 334 high school freshmen (including 231 Wayfinder students and 103 comparison group students). All participants completed pre and posttest surveys and the survey data were analyzed using ANCOVA. Results indicated a positive effect of the Wayfinder Curriculum on students' purpose, social awareness, school engagement, sense of belonging, and identity expression.