This article reports on a clustered randomized control trial that tested the hypothesis that the RULER Approach (“RULER”) improves the social and emotional climate of classrooms.
RULER is a setting-level, social and emotional learning program that is grounded in theory and evidence. It is designed to modify the quality of classroom social interactions so that the climate becomes more supportive, empowering, and engaging. This is accomplished by integrating skill-building lessons and tools so that teachers and students develop their emotional literacy. In the current evaluation, 62 schools either integrated RULER into fifth- and sixth-grade English language arts (ELA) classrooms or served as comparison schools, using their standard ELA curriculum only. Multi-level modeling analyses showed that compared to classrooms in comparison schools, classrooms in RULER schools were rated as having higher degrees of warmth and connectedness between teachers and students, more autonomy and leadership among students, and teachers who focused more on students’ interests and motivations. These findings suggest that RULER improves classrooms in ways that can promote positive youth development. 46 references (publisher abstract modified)