On April 27, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and East China Normal University jointly released the "Report on the Development of Social and Emotional Skills of Chinese Adolescents" in Shanghai. The report indicates that students with higher levels of social and emotional skills achieve better academic performance in school, have fewer absences and tardiness, hold higher expectations for obtaining advanced degrees, and aspire to higher-level managerial or professional positions.
Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the OECD, pointed out in a video address that artificial intelligence is increasingly merging with human cognition, social and emotional skills, and values. This implies that the goal of education today is not only about imparting knowledge but more importantly about nurturing students' core competencies such as curiosity, open-mindedness, and empathy, enabling them to confidently navigate the complex and ever-changing world. The OECD's initiative to assess social and emotional skills aims to collect real data on these "invisible abilities" internationally, and extensive research has already confirmed that social and emotional skills can be taught.
During the event, Yuan Zhenguo, Head of the Social and Emotional Skills Research Group at East China Normal University and a lifelong professor, presented the "Report on the Assessment of Social and Emotional Skills of Chinese (Jinan) Adolescents," while Huang Zhongjing, Director of the Social and Emotional Skills Research Center at East China Normal University, unveiled the "Report on International Comparisons of Social and Emotional Skills of Chinese Adolescents."
Yuan Zhengguo releases the "Report on Social and Emotional Competence Assessment of Youth in China (Jinan)."
Huang Zhongjing releases "International Comparative Report on Social and Emotional Competence of Chinese Adolescents."
According to reports, the Social and Emotional Competence Research Center at East China Normal University is the sole representative of China in the OECD global assessment of adolescent social and emotional competence. From 2022 to 2024, the research center collaborated with the Education Bureau of Jinan, Shandong to conduct assessments of Chinese adolescents. In May 2023, OECD conducted the second round of formal assessments on adolescent social and emotional competence, with 7 cities or countries participating in the 10-year-old group and 16 cities or countries participating in the 15-year-old group. Jinan, China represented China in both assessments, with a total of 172 schools participating, involving nearly ten thousand students, teachers, and principals. This led to the development of reports on the social and emotional competence levels of Chinese adolescents, international comparative reports, and various thematic reports. Compared to sixteen cities or countries globally, students from Jinan, China showed outstanding performance, ranking first globally in multiple competencies in the assessments.
The 5 major dimensions and 16 sub-abilities in formal assessment. All images are sourced from East China Normal University.
