A Benefit-Cost Analysis of a Long-Term Intervention on Social and Emotional Learning in Compulsory School.

Abstract

There is growing evidence that social and emotional skills can be taught to students in
\nschool and teaching these skills can have a positive effect on later outcomes, such as
\nbetter mental health and less drug use. This paper presents a benefit-cost analysis of a
\nlongitudinal social and emotional learning intervention in Sweden, using data for 663
\nstudents participating in the evaluation. Intervention costs are compared against
\ntreatment impact on self-reported drug use. Pre-test and post-test data are available.
\nSince follow-up data for the participants´ drug use as adults is not available, informed
\nprojections have been made. Net present monetary values are calculated for the general
\npublic and society. The results show that students in the treatment group report
\ndecreasing use of drugs over the five year long intervention, the value of which easily
\noutweighs the intervention costs.