This article discusses the non-academic, social-emotional factors that contribute to student academic achievement, including the cognitivebehavioral characteristics of underachieving students and those with learning disabilities; the ‘‘You Can Do It! Education’’ (YCDI) theory of achievement; derivative research on social-emotional capabilities, called the Five Foundations (Academic Confidence, Work Persistence, Work Organization, Getting Along, Emotional Resilience) that, when delayed, produce achievement problems; and recommendations for developing students’ social-emotional competence. The research reviewed demonstrates that the Five Foundations and associated Habits of the Mind can be
taught to young people, producing increased effort with schoolwork and better achievement.
The first part of this article provides a brief review of research that addresses social-emotional factors, including students’ motivation and a general approach to learning, that have been found to moderate the impact of instruction and are seen as necessary for all students
to develop to achieve to the best of their ability. Differences in the social-emotional competencies of students with and without achievement problems will also be briefly highlighted. The second part of the article will present theory and research surrounding an approach to raising academic achievement of all students, including those with reading disabilities and achievement problems, that is directed at fostering the development of social-emotional capabilities of students.