Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Skills and strategies that help children manage emotions, build relationships, make responsible decisions, and handle social situations. These skills are often addressed in IEP goals.
SEL in context
Social-Emotional Learning comes up across the IEP process — in your IEP document, during meeting prep, and in the federal rights that protect your child. Rules and timelines can also vary by state — find your state's parent training centers and dispute options in our State IEP Guides.
If this term affects your child's annual goals, test whether they are measurable using our free IEP Goal Checker or follow our step-by-step IEP Annual Review Checklist.
Related Terms
Counseling Services
A related service provided by a qualified counselor, social worker, or psychologist to help your child with social-emotional needs that affect their ability to learn.
Annual Goals
Measurable goals in your child's IEP that describe what they should be able to accomplish within one year. Goals should be specific, measurable, and based on your child's present levels of performance.
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Check the Whole IEP — Free →This glossary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Definitions are simplified for parent-friendly understanding and may not reflect the full legal text. Consult a qualified attorney or advocate for advice about your specific situation.