24 ⏐ Impact on Learning Revisiting the Keys㨀਀ Curiosity & Persistence A study conducted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development identified curiosity and persistence as the two traits that are the best predictors of academic achievement in math and reading. Typically associated with goals and outcomes of Social Emotional Learning programs, these characteristics translate directly to academic performance. Across math, reading, and art, these two characteristics presented as the most impactful as indicators of academic achievement.