Are the Second Step® Elementary and Second Step® Middle School digital programs evidence-based?
Yes! The Second Step Elementary and Second Step Middle School digital programs can now be identified as evidence-based due to the positive outcomes demonstrated through rigorous evaluation research by four WestEd studies.
What student outcomes did the studies validate?
The Second Step Elementary and Second Step Middle School digital programs have been validated by four rigorous studies. These studies show improved:
- School climate
- Skills for learning (including academic motivation and self-management)
- Behavior (including reduced disciplinary referral and suspensions)
- Attendance
- Academic performance
The studies showed that the students using these programs with fidelity significantly outperformed their peers in non-implementing schools.
What were the key findings for the Second Step® Elementary digital program?
The Second Step Elementary digital program improved students’ academic motivation, self-management, and perceptions of school climate (schoolwide prosocial behavior and parent involvement). Students in schools with high Second Step fidelity (>80%) also had fewer out-of-school suspensions than their peers in a low-fidelity (<60%) group.
What were the key findings for Second Step® Middle School?
The Second Step Middle School program improved students’ perceptions of school climate (teacher-student relationships, school belonging, and overall school environment) and, in one study, students’ English Language Arts course grades. In addition, students had 36% fewer office disciplinary referrals, 33–36% fewer suspensions, and 2.5 more days of attendance compared to students in the control group.
Furthermore, the magnitude of behavioral effects increased substantially in the second year of program implementation.
What measurements were used to assess the outcomes?
In one study, the California Healthy Kids Survey was used, and in another study, the Panorama Student Survey was used.
What does moderate- to high-fidelity implementation mean?
High-fidelity implementation refers to the thoroughness of program delivery, ensuring that at least 80% of its lessons are taught, whereas moderate fidelity requires that at least 60% of a program’s lessons are taught. For instance, with high fidelity, if a program includes 25 lessons, then teaching at least 20 of those lessons would constitute high-fidelity implementation. This level of adherence is crucial for achieving the intended outcomes and effectiveness of the program. Moderate fidelity is the minimum level required for initial outcomes. Stronger outcomes can be achieved with high levels of fidelity.
What are the key benefits of implementing Second Step® Elementary and Second Step® Middle School digital programs for educators and students?
For educators, these programs provide a structured, evidence-based approach to enhancing student outcomes, reducing disciplinary issues, and fostering a positive school climate. For students, the programs equip them with essential human skills, helping them thrive academically and socially. Additionally, the programs strengthen family-school engagement, creating a supportive learning environment.
How long does it take for a school to achieve these results?
When used with fidelity, all outcomes were evidenced after only one year of implementation. In the second year of program implementation, the magnitude of effects increased substantially.
How rigorous is the research?
The studies were conducted by WestEd, a renowned non-partisan research firm, involving over 25,000 students in grades 3 to 8 across 242 schools in California, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The studies were conducted between late fall 2024 and April 18, 2025, with schools implementing Second Step programs with at least 60–80% fidelity during the 2022–23 and 2023–24 school years. This comprehensive dataset and rigorous evaluation affirm the programs’ effectiveness.
Can I review the studies?
Yes, you can review all four studies below:
- The Effect of Second Step on Elementary Students’ Perceptions of a Healthy School Climate
- The Effect of Second Step on Middle School 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 Effects of Second Step on Middle School Students’ Academic, Behavioral, and Social– Emotional Well-being