• About Us
• Advanced Philosophy of Care
• Mission, Values and Service
• Our Commitment to Safety
• Our History
• Senior Leadership Team
• Devereux Board of Trustees
• Annual Reports
• Devereux in the News
• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging
• Recognizing Our Employees
• Celebrating Our Devereux Families
• Sharing Messages of Hope

Devereux MA/RI psychologist shares findings from social-emotional learning study at NASP convention

Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health Massachusetts and Rhode Island Therapeutic Day School Licensed Psychologist Jessica Kemp, Ph.D., NCSP, HSP, recently detailed findings from her study examining the effectiveness of aligning proactive classroom management practices with social and emotional learning (SEL) skills at the annual National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) convention.

Each year, the NASP convention provides an opportunity for school psychologists from across the country to connect with peers and professional experts and hear the latest research on how to improve children’s emotional well-being. The theme of this year’s convention, which was held in Boston, was “Engaging Hearts and Minds.”

“I was honored for my presentation to be accepted into the convention, and excited for the opportunity to network with so many people who also are interested in, and passionate about, integrating SEL into their school settings,” said Kemp.

About the study

To conduct her study, Kemp implemented a SEL program in 10 classrooms serving students with social, emotional and behavioral challenges in third through 12th grades at Devereux Massachusetts and Rhode Island’s therapeutic day school.

The SEL program incorporated eight lessons, focusing on skills, such as mindfulness, perspective-taking and empathy. Each lesson lasted two weeks. After receiving training on a designated SEL skill, teachers were asked to establish a routine to practice the skill with their students for five to 10 minutes per day, and acknowledge any student skill use throughout the day. Teachers were provided multiple activities to practice the skill and strategies to reinforce student skill practice. At the end of every lesson, the number of practices opportunities for each class was documented.

Analyzing results

When the five-month SEL program was over, Kemp conducted a survey, which found that 78 percent of students reported SEL skills could be “definitely” or “somewhat” helpful to them, while 58 percent of students said they learned at least three new SEL skills. In addition, 100 percent of teachers reported they “strongly agreed” or “agreed” that: 1) they learned specific skills to help coach students in the moment; 2) practicing SEL skills throughout the day was beneficial for their students; and 3) they could use SEL skills to enhance their own social and emotional competence.

“We want to help students achieve social and emotional success – while they are in our care and throughout their lives,” Kemp explained. “Findings from the study show that aligning school-wide SEL skills with daily classroom management practices is a feasible and socially valid approach for both students and teachers.”

Learn more about Devereux Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and learn more about Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health.

Latest News

		Devereux FL team works seamlessly to keep youth safe during active hurricane season Devereux Florida team members did not just weather recent storms in the Sunshine State, they emerged even stronger. During an active hurricane season, staff banded together to ensure the safety and well-being of the youth in their care.
		Staying curious: A new approach to making a New Year’s resolution As 2024 comes to a close, Devereux Center for Resilient Children Director Susan Damico encourages us to make a commitment to staying curious in 2025. Learn the positive benefits of curiosity, including how it can make you healthier and happier.
		MA/RI’s Devereux School earns NASET ‘School of Excellence’ distinction Devereux Massachusetts and Rhode Island (MA/RI) is thrilled to announce the Devereux School in Rutland, Massachusetts, was recently named a “School of Excellence” by the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) for the 2024-25 school year.
		Devereux releases 2024 Quality and Safety Report Devereux recently published its latest Quality and Safety Report. The report outlines the organization’s steadfast commitment to progress and innovation, as well as its most recent initiatives centered on safety and quality.

More Stories