Recognized for Innovation: Why Second Step® Programs Won the Tech & Learning Award

Real classrooms. Real solutions.

Imagine a classroom where students feel safe to speak up, where they know how to manage their emotions, solve problems with peers, and bounce back from setbacks. That’s not just a vision—it’s happening every day in schools using Second Step® programs. And now, that impact has been recognized: the Second Step K–8 digital programs were named the winner of the Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence: Back to School 2025 in Primary Education. This award recognizes products that offer real solutions to today’s challenges for educators, and Second Step programming stood out for its versatility, impact, and innovation.

Winning the Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence is about more than just technology; it’s about transformation. This recognition highlights products that make it easy to make a difference in classrooms by addressing the challenges educators face and supporting meaningful change.

Student-centered innovation

For us, innovation starts with students. Our K–8 digital curricula are designed not just to teach but to transform—bringing together evidence-based practices and engaging digital tools that meet real student needs in today’s classrooms. Whether it’s helping students build resilience, navigate peer relationships, or stay motivated to learn, our Second Step programs offer solutions that put student success at the center. By strengthening students’ essential human skills, such as resiliency, collaboration, growth mindset, and problem-solving, we help educators create learning environments where every child can thrive—supporting their academic success and emotional well-being.

Our innovation is rooted in how we deliver these skills to students:

• Tiered interventions that meet students where they are
• Interactive sessions that foster real connection
• A Leader Dashboard and Guided Playbook that help education leaders personalize support

Why the Tech & Learning Award matters

This recognition builds trust with educators and decision-makers, encouraging adoption and deeper integration into school systems. Education is at a crossroads. Schools are facing rising absenteeism, increased behavioral challenges, and a growing need for trauma-informed support. Our programs directly address these issues by helping students feel connected, supported, and capable.

Tech & Learning celebrates the most outstanding edtech products offering schools versatility, value, and solutions to specific problems that support innovative and effective teaching and learning. Winning this award signals to educators, administrators, and policymakers that the Second Step curriculum is more than a trusted name—it’s a proven solution, helping educators who use our programs build stronger classrooms and create a positive school climate.

Reaching more students

With curricula spanning PreK–12, Second Step programs are already used in 46,000 schools across all 50 states, reaching over 20 million children annually. However, there are still students who don’t have access to this kind of support. This recognition helps us expand our reach. It gives educators confidence to adopt our programs. It helps districts prioritize the development of human skills alongside academics. And it strengthens our position as a leader in scalable, evidence-based solutions for student success.

The evidence is clear. When implemented with at least 60% to 80% fidelity, Second Step K–8 digital programs improve academic performance and school attendance, reduce suspensions and referrals, enhance school climate, increase prosocial behavior, and strengthen family-school engagement. Designed for both in-person and online use and designed to meet the wide-ranging needs of schools and districts, the curricula support MTSS, PBIS, and trauma-informed practices, reinforcing positive behavior schoolwide and supporting transitions and peer relationships in middle school.

From the classroom to the workforce

The Second Step curriculum is more than a program—it’s a catalyst. It equips leaders, educators, and students with the essential tools they need to unlock academic success and emotional well-being, making it easy to make a difference—in the classroom today and in the workforce tomorrow.

Looking ahead

As part of our continuous improvement model, we’re committed to evolving with the needs of students and educators—because when students learn how to care, connect, and collaborate, they don’t just do better in school; they build a foundation for lifelong success.

Ready to strengthen human skills in your district? You can reach out to our Education Partnerships Team to discover how Second Step® programs can align with your district’s goals.