Evidence-Based Outcomes
Proven to strengthen school climate quickly and at scale.
Evidence base across programs
Second Step® K–8 digital programs stand apart in the depth, breadth, and rigor of their research base. Independent evaluations by WestEd examined outcomes for more than 25,000 students across multiple states—one of the largest and most reliable studies of its kind.
This level of evidence isn’t just rare; it’s unprecedented. It shows that Second Step programs improve how students feel, learn, and connect in school and that those gains occur consistently in real classrooms.
For districts, this means confidence you can count on: stronger school climate, healthier teacher-student relationships, fewer disruptions, and better academic performance—easy to implement at scale.
- Unmatched scale: 25,000 students across multiple states
- Independent evaluation: Findings from the largest multi-state study, conducted by WestEd
- Broad applicability: Consistent results across states and contexts, not limited to a single district or region
Real results across grade levels
Elementary
- Up 6 percentile points in academic motivation
- Up 5 percentile points in prosocial behavior
- Up 5 percentile points in self-management
- Up 4 percentile points in parent involvement
- Down 14 percentile points in out-of-school suspensions
Middle school
- Up 16 percentile points in teacher-student relationships
- Up 14 percentile points in school belonging
- Up 11 percentile points in overall school climate
- 36% fewer office referrals and 33–36% fewer suspensions
- 2.5 more days of attendance
- Up to 7-percentile-point improvement in ELA grades
It’s not just that student behavior changes. It’s that they actually have the skills and the language to make different decisions and choices. Seeing students in our district show improvements in these areas is really powerful. We’re seeing that when you focus on implementing Second Step programs with fidelity, you get really great results.
Research drives everything we build
Second Step programs are grounded in evidence, not assumptions. Our in-house research team shapes lesson design, guides how skills are taught, and ensures every activity reflects how students actually learn and grow.
What this means for your students and school climate:
- Programs rooted in proven learning science
- Tools that work in real classrooms
- Content aligned to developmental needs
- Practices that strengthen relationships and overall school climate
A continuous cycle of program improvement
Our digital curriculum evolves alongside students’ needs. We refine it through ongoing research, evidence-based reviews, and feedback from schools, districts, and families. And the nonprofit behind Second Step programs reinvests revenue directly into research—ensuring our programs keep strengthening student growth and school climate year after year.
Explore our research
- The Effect of Second Step on Elementary Students’ Perceptions of a Healthy School Climate
- The Impact of the Second Step Program on Elementary Students’ Social and Emotional Skills, Exclusionary Discipline, and Attendance
- The Effect of Second Step on Middle School Students’ Perceptions of a Healthy School Climate
- The Effects of Second Step on Middle School Students’ Academic, Behavioral, and Social-Emotional Well-Being
Ready to learn more?
Hear from our community or request a demo!
