Evaluation of Arts-Integrated Social-Emotional Learning in Indian Government Schools

This study evaluates an arts-integrated social-emotional learning (SEL) program targeting government schools in Punjab. The intervention trains teachers to deliver SEL-integrated art curriculum using pedagogical tools developed by our NGO partner, Slam Out Loud (SOL), in partnership with Punjab's State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT). We propose a school-level RCT in 200 government schools covering approximately 7,000 Grade 6 students. The intervention includes 40+ hours of teacher training and an SEL- integrated art textbook aligned with National Education Policy guidelines. Primary outcomes include validated measures of emotional regulation, student well-being, and creativity; secondary outcomes include attendance, classroom behavior, and academic performance. This study addresses a critical evidence gap on SEL interventions in low-resource settings. Art classes are a regular feature of schools in Punjab, with schools conducting as many as three art classes per week. Integrating SEL into the art curriculum, along with providing training for teachers who conduct these classes, helps leverage an existing resource available in most government schools. The findings will directly inform Punjab's curriculum reform and provide replicable models for other Indian states. By focusing on government schools, the research also prioritizes equity and benefits disadvantaged students who lack access to private SEL programming.