Social and Emotional Learning: 2022-2023

Simba has estimated that sales of social-emotional learning (SEL) instructional materials were $1.725 billion for the 2021-2022 school year; representing an increase of 25.9% over the previous year. Simba has also estimated that year-on-year growth will slow slightly in 2023-2024, but will remain very robust at 22.9%. These are two of the highlights of SIMBA’s just released report, Social and Emotional Learning 2022-2023.

What this Report Covers

In addition to examining and determining market size and structure, the report also examines: research highlighting the academic benefits of SEL instruction; key SEL market drivers including federal, state and local funding; the oversize impact of the pandemic on the need and use of SEL materials; overlap and integration with other key educational trends such as diversity, equity and inclusion, student engagements, professional development and use of technology and digital materials. Broader social trends are also examined including the role of the teacher and rise and impact of political pushback on schools’ use of SEL. Also included are a breakdown of market segments by grade, format, free vs. fee materials and the types of vendors. Several in-depth case studies of individual schools, districts and states policies are analyzed, and finally a profile of selected key vendors and offerings are provided as well.

Key Findings

Key findings examined and analyzed in this report include highlights such as the fact that federal ESSER funding sources accounted for 54.7% of purchases in SEL; 55.6% of sales of SEL instructional materials are directed towards grades preK-5 and that sales of supplemental materials in SEL outweigh core instructional materials, making up 56.2% of sales in 2021-2022. Another key finding is a determination that digital programs accounted for 65.2% of total SEL-related sales in the 2021-2022 school year.

Key Trends Discussed

Several significant trends and developments are explored and analyzed in the report. Among them are the outsize influence the pandemic had on the need and use for SEL materials; a need for SEL oriented towards adults; the challenge of looking towards the end of federal ESSER funding; how and why the competitive landscape is so fragmented and the implications; and the conflicting forces that are both advancing and potentially braking the continued rise of SEL instruction in the classroom

About Simba Information

Publishers and investment professionals can trust Simba Information’s Social and Emotional Learning 2022-2023 Report to provide the inside intelligence needed to evaluate the growth potential and understand the trends impacting the market for social and emotional learning instructional materials K-12 market.

This social and emotional report is an essential tool for publishing executives, M&A advisors, market analysts, and industry consultants who need to understand the larger trends and necessary business strategies when considering the social and emotional instructional market.

Simba has the knowledge base and perspective gained from more than 20 years’ covering this market and the rapid changes in technology, the economy, mergers, partnerships and public policy than affect it.