This article provides an introduction to the Social-Emotional Wellbeing (SEW) survey. More detailed background information can be found in the document linked at the bottom of the page.
The following topics are covered here. More detailed background information can be found in the document linked at the bottom of the page.
The following articles provide more detailed information about using SEW effectively:
- Administering SEW primary and secondary surveys
- Completing the SEW Early Years teacher perception survey
- SEW wellbeing levels
- Using results from SEW
Survey overview
The Social-Emotional Wellbeing Surveys have been designed to provide schools with information on the student population (whole school, specific year levels, targeted groups) so that schools can use the data to direct planning and problem-solving efforts. In 2015 the author of the Social-Emotional Wellbeing Survey, Professor Michael Bernard, and ACER conducted a review of the survey. As a result of this review an updated version of the Primary and Secondary SEW survey was developed and released in 2018. The Early Years Teacher Perception survey was not revised but remains available to administer.
More detailed information can be found in the
Forms available
| Form | No of Questions | Year Level | Completed by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary | 42 | Year 2 to 6 | Student |
| Secondary | 76 | Year 7 to 12 | Student |
| Early Years Teacher Perception | 50 | Kindergarten, Foundation & year 1 |
Teacher |
What is social-emotional wellbeing?
According to the survey’s author Professor Michael E. Bernard, social-emotional wellbeing of young people is a broad construct encompassing:
- The range of positive and negative emotions and behaviours that young people experience on a regular basis in different areas of their lives (schoolwork, peer relationships, family, extra-curricular activities, involvement in community) such as achieving one’s potential (academic, social, personal), engagement, happiness, helping others as well as (relative absence of) anger, depression, loneliness, underachievement and substance abuse;
- The extent of the character strengths and social, emotional and learning competence of young people such as optimism, resilience, caring and respect;
- The degree of environmental nurturance, stimulation and connectedness young people experience in their home, school and community including but not limited to positive relationships, high expectations for achievement and behaviour, programs and activities that accommodate their interests and opportunities to be involved in decision-making.
(Professor Michael E. Bernard, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, University of Melbourne).
About the author
Michael E. Bernard, PhD
Emeritus Professor, California State University
Former Professor, University of Melbourne
Doctorate, Education Psychology
Founder, You Can Do It! Education (www.youcandoiteducation.com.au)
Dr Michael Bernard, PhD, is an international consultant to universities, businesses, not-for-profit organisations, educational authorities and governments. He is the founder of You Can Do It! Education is a program for promoting student social-emotional wellbeing and achievement used in thousands of schools in Australia and overseas. He received his doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
Michael has worked closely with children of all ages and their families while counselling at one of Melbourne’s private schools. He was the first sports psychologist of the Collingwood Football Club.
Michael is a co-founder of the Australian Institute for Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy and the author of many books on REBT. For eight years, he was the editor-in-chief of the Journal of Rational Emotive and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy.
Over the past decade, Michael has focused on designing and conducting high performance and professional development programs for resilience. He is the author of over 50 books, 20 book chapters, and 30 journal articles in areas associated with peak performance, resilience, parenting, mental health and school improvement.
Source: https://youcandoiteducation.com.au/about/