Resources

Resources

Below, you’ll find resources to help develop a shared vision and plan for SEL.

See how districts have strategized and planned

Title Document Type

DRC Documents

Readiness Considerations for Schoolwide SEL

This reflection tool outlines readiness considerations that could benefit a school community embarking on the process of building a schoolwide SEL effort, and can be useful to district leaders preparing to guide a cohort of schools with SEL implementation. Many of these readiness factors can be reinforced over time and/or built while the school community works towards systemic SEL.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS implementation support model SEL schools professional learning

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Fellowship Spotlight – Finding a Focus for Systemic SEL

SEL Fellow and district SEL leader in St. Paul Sara Lein describes their process of developing a shared vision and strategic framework for SEL with more than 400 participants, including students, parents, school district staff, and community members. Visit https://casel.org/series/sel-fellows-briefs/ for more briefs from SEL Fellows.

SOURCE: CASEL

The Continuous Improvement Journey: Where Are We now and Where Do We Want To Go?

This brief offers a case study focused on Guilford County Schools in North Carolina, to illustrate the experience of a research-practice partnership between CASEL researchers and the district and the use of goal-setting, data, and reflection for continuous improvement.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS research brief conducting local SEL research continuous improvement

2011 to 2021: 10 Years of SEL in U.S. School Districts

Ten years ago, CASEL began collaborating with school district SEL leaders to explore the question - Is it possible to implement SEL systemically to positively impact students across a large urban school district? Not only did districts demonstrate that it was possible, but every district has deepened and expanded SEL implementation since joining the collaborative. This anniversary report details 6 key insights from these districts about how they were able to sustain SEL over the long term, even as the people and contexts within the district changed.

SOURCE: CASEL

SEL Implementation Guide from Austin ISD

In this resource, Austin Independent School District shares an overview of their SEL story, the results they have seen, and tips learned along the way. This presents a detailed and successful model to share with district leaders who are preparing an implementation plan or just beginning to consider investing in SEL.

SOURCE: Austin Independent School District

TAGS implementation plan communications planning building buy-in for SEL

Washoe County School District 3 Year Implementation Plan – High School

A flow chart from Washoe County School District illustrating the process of schoolwide SEL development over 3 years, with roles for district staff, principal, and SEL Leadership Team members.

SOURCE: Washoe County School District

TAGS implementation plan high school grades

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Washoe County School District 3 Year Implementation Plan – Middle School

A flow chart from Washoe County School District illustrating the process of schoolwide SEL development over 3 years, with roles for district staff, principal, and SEL Leadership Team members.

SOURCE: Washoe County School District

TAGS implementation plan middle school grades

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Thompson School District Strategic Plan

Thompson School District in Loveland, Colorado, deeply imbeds SEL throughout their strategic plan, Strive 2025. The plan includes a Portrait of a Graduate, which guides their SEL vision and the development of SEL standards describing what a student should know and be able to do.

SOURCE: Thompson School District

TAGS implementation plan planning SEL leadership

El Paso SEL Implementation Report

This report on El Paso's first year of SEL implementation answers the questions: How was SEL capacity built? How has SEL impacted climate and perception? How has SEL impacted discipline and attendance? and How do school stakeholders view their implementation success?

SOURCE: El Paso Independent School District

TAGS define SEL metrics data dashboards conducting local SEL research implementation evaluation

Austin SEL Strategic Plan

Austin's strategic plan for districtwide SEL implementation includes core beliefs, the district vision, and 5 key priorities for a three year period.

SOURCE: Austin Independent School District

TAGS implementation plan planning integrate with district priorities SEL leadership

SEL Trends: Empowering Youth Voice

From CASEL's SEL Trends series, this issue describes ways that Chicago, Cleveland and Washoe County school districts have recognized students as experts of the school experience and built structures for students to better influence school and district decisions and practices.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS social studies SEL partnerships student leadership youth voice

Austin ISD SEL 2.0 Logic Model

This 1 page logic model includes a primary problem and subproblems to be addressed, activities and outputs, and short and long term outcomes to drive SEL implementation planning.

SOURCE: Austin Independent School District

TAGS define SEL metrics implementation plan planning

Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Five-Year Implementation Plan

Timeline showing the roll out of SEL at Tier 1, 2, and 3 for all schools in Anchorage.

SOURCE: Anchorage Public Schools

TAGS needs and resources assessment implementation plan evidence-based programs MTSS professional learning planning

Social and Emotional Learning, Explained (video)

Education Week staff writer Evie Blad briefly and humorously explains some of the core ideas of SEL, how districts approach implementation, and the challenge of measuring SEL -- a simple and neutral video summary for district stakeholders beginning to think about SEL implementation.

SOURCE: Education Week

Sacramento City Districtwide SEL Program Inventory

This is an example of a third-party report on SEL programs and practices throughout the district, shared by Sacramento City, including a site level inventory as well as findings and recommendations regarding implementation and monitoring.

SOURCE: Sacramento City Unified School District

TAGS assessment evidence-based programs data dashboards conducting local SEL research continuous improvement implementation monitoring implementation evaluation

On the Road to Collecting SEL Data

This presentation from Keeneyville School District describes their timeline of districtwide SEL implementation, the development of their walk-through protocol, and the way observaton data has been shared and used to drive improvement.

SOURCE: Keeneyville School District 20

TAGS define SEL metrics assessment school visit/observation tool conducting local SEL research continuous improvement implementation evaluation

SEL-Related Metrics

Nashville's combination of student surveys (Tripod and Safe & Supportive Schools), other data collected by schools and the district, and observable measures of SEL and climate.

SOURCE: Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools

TAGS student assessment define SEL metrics assessment conducting local SEL research implementation evaluation

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Washoe County’s 17 Item Student Social and Emotional Competency Self Report

Summary of the process of developing a 17 item student self-assessment of SEL used in Washoe, including the use of student focus groups, with results and connection to achievement and behavior outcomes. Item text is included.

SOURCE: Washoe County School District

TAGS student assessment define SEL metrics assessment data dashboards conducting local SEL research continuous improvement implementation evaluation youth voice

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Sacramento City Districtwide SEL Program Inventory

This is an example of a third-party report on SEL programs and practices throughout the district, shared by Sacramento City, including a site level inventory as well as findings and recommendations regarding implementation and monitoring.

SOURCE: Sacramento City Unified School District

TAGS assessment evidence-based programs data dashboards conducting local SEL research implementation monitoring implementation evaluation

Washoe County SEL Needs Assessment Report

This baseline report shared by Washoe County includes findings and recommendations from a districtwide program inventory, counselor focus groups, student SEL skills assessments, school climate surveys, and behavior-related data.

SOURCE: Washoe County School District

TAGS human and financial resource alignment counselors parent leadership student leadership assessment evidence-based programs data dashboards conducting local SEL research PK-12 implementation monitoring implementation evaluation MTSS student discipline youth voice

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SEL Rollout in Austin

Austin's sample process for growing a cohort of SEL leadership schools and expanding the scope of SEL work at each over time.

SOURCE: Austin Independent School District

TAGS SEL coaching for staff implementation plan PK-12 professional learning planning

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Sample Timeline for Year One SEL Implementation

A sample timeline shared with schools in Sacramento to begin building staff momentum around social emotional learning.

SOURCE: Sacramento City Unified School District

TAGS model SEL schools implementation plan planning building buy-in for SEL

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Naperville, IL – One District’s Journey from Commitment to Assessment

Naperville's presentation sharing their SEL implementation timeline, process of curriculum development, and measurement plan.

SOURCE: Naperville Community Unit School District 203

TAGS define SEL metrics implementation plan assessment continuous improvement implementation evaluation SEL leadership

Washoe County 3 Year Implementation Plan – Elementary

A flow chart from Washoe County illustrating the process of schoolwide SEL development over 3 years, with roles for district staff, principal, and SEL Leadership Team members.

SOURCE: Washoe County School District

TAGS implementation plan elementary school grades district SEL expertise youth voice

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Find ready-to-use tools

Title Document Type

DRC Documents

Continuous Improvement for Social and Emotional Learning: Establishing Your Goals (video)

This video summarizes a process for setting clear, measurable goals for SEL. For more information and tools about goal setting, explore:
- for school leaders: https://bit.ly/SELactionplan
- for district leaders: https://bit.ly/districtSELplan

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS implementation plan continuous improvement

Districtwide SEL Action Planning Workbook (APW)

Once district leaders have built a shared understanding of SEL, teams can use this workbook to organize priorities and goals and build a robust action plan to guide their work and exploration of the District Resource Center.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS define SEL metrics implementation plan continuous improvement planning

Develop a Long-term SEL Implementation Roadmap

This tool provides a template and step-by-step instructions to help district SEL teams develop a three to five-year roadmap for SEL implementation to achieve the district’s long-term SEL goals and shared vision.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS define SEL metrics implementation plan planning

Districtwide SEL Program and Initiative Inventory

This tool is designed to help district social and emotional learning (SEL) teams learn about past and current SEL-related work being implemented across the district. In combination with the Districtwide SEL Implementation Rubric, this tool serves as a needs and resources assessment to bridge the gap between the district's shared vision and long-term SEL goals and an implementation plan.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS needs and resources assessment implementation plan continuous improvement planning

Develop Annual Goals and Action Plan for SEL

This tool is designed to help district SEL teams develop goals and an action plan for a single year of districtwide SEL implementation. It builds on a district's shared vision, long-term SEL goals, and SEL implementation roadmap.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS define SEL metrics implementation plan continuous improvement planning

Partnering with School Boards to Promote SEL

Successful districtwide SEL implementation engages board members as partners in the process. This tool includes five considerations for creating robust district and school board partnerships.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS school board

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Create a Stakeholder Map to Support a Strategic Plan for SEL

This tool was made to help district leaders (in particular superintendents and designated SEL leaders) identify key stakeholders and determine how best to bring in their voice and support in the process of strategic planning and continuous improvement for districtwide SEL implementation.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS SEL partnerships human and financial resource alignment implementation plan

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Using an SEL lens to review the vision and/or mission of a school district or organization

This short activity can be led by a superintendent after a presentation about SEL to board members, or by any leader who wants to facilitate a discussion of how/whether SEL is already positioned within the mission and vision of the district, school, or organization.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS school board integrate with district priorities building buy-in for SEL

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The District Resource Center: Essentials

The DRC Essentials is a mini-book that contains a printable summary of the 4 focus areas and 14 key activities that make up CASEL's District Theory of Action, along with a set of core planning tools to help districts organize priorities and goals and build a robust action plan to guide their work.

SOURCE: CASEL

Create a Shared Vision

Use this worksheet to help develop a districtwide vision that helps establish SEL as integral to high-quality education, and will serve as the basis for the district's SEL goals, plans, allocation of resources, and continuous improvement.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS implementation plan planning integrate with district priorities building buy-in for SEL

Portrait of a Graduate – Framing a Vision for your School System

Battelle for Kids has built out a 4 phase design process with examples and supporting materials for bringing together stakeholders to co-create a Portrait of a Graduate, i.e. the community's goals for its students. Free tools include a Getting Started Guide for superintendents and system leaders and a My Sketch tool, which helps the community prioritize competencies and create a visual representation.

SOURCE: Battelle for Kids

TAGS building buy-in for SEL family and community engagement

Districtwide Indicators of SEL Implementation

CASEL’s District Framework identifies key activities for districtwide SEL implementation. When these activities are fully implemented, districts infuse SEL into every aspect of students’ educational experience -- across their classrooms, schools, homes and communities. The indicators below provide evidence of high-quality implementation throughout the district.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS needs and resources assessment implementation evaluation integrate with district priorities district SEL expertise

SEL: Creating Safe & Supportive Learning Environments (video)

Creating a safe, supportive environment for social and emotional learning (SEL) has been, and remains, a high priority for CASEL. It is inherent in our focus on integrating SEL into all aspects of school and district practice through a systemic approach.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS videos SEL overview district SEL expertise building buy-in for SEL SEL leadership

Logic Model Template and Example

Your strategic plan is intended to move your district from its current state to where you want to be. It’s helpful to begin your strategic plan with a logic model to create a clear connection between your implementation strategies and your ultimate goals.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS implementation plan planning integrate with district priorities

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Districtwide SEL Needs and Resources Assessment

Before, during, or after completing the Districtwide SEL Implementation Rubric, use this template as note-taking space to examine existing needs and resources around SEL implementation.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS needs and resources assessment implementation plan planning

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Track Your School’s Progress Toward Implementing Schoolwide SEL

Part of CASEL's Guide to Schoolwide SEL, this page includes a rubric and planner, a walkthrough protocol to look for signs of high-quality implementation, and a staff survey to gather staff perceptions to inform decisions and next steps.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS define SEL metrics assessment school visit/observation tool implementation monitoring

Multi-year Plan for Districtwide SEL

Template to accompany the CASEL Theory of Action to reflect on current strengths and challenges and set short and long term goals for districtwide SEL implementation.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS needs and resources assessment implementation plan planning

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Develop Long-Term Goals for Districtwide SEL

This tool explains how to set long-term SMARTIE-style goals for districtwide SEL implementation. Provides guidelines to get the committee started, step-by-step instructions for defining goals that reflect the district's shared vision, and examples.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS define SEL metrics continuous improvement implementation evaluation planning

Data Sources to Analyze SEL Implementation and Outcomes

Use this tool as you consider what kind of data you will need and find data sources you can use to assess progress toward your SEL goals.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS student assessment define SEL metrics assessment conducting local SEL research continuous improvement implementation evaluation

SEL Inventory – Secondary Interview

This interview protocol was used by evaluators at secondary school sites in Sacramento City to gather baseline data on the implementation of SEL programs and practices. Includes handouts that were provided to interviewees.

SOURCE: Sacramento City Unified School District

SEL Inventory – Elementary Interview

This interview protocol was used by evaluators at elementary school sites in Sacramento City to gather baseline data on the implementation of SEL programs and practices. Includes handouts that were provided to interviewees.

SOURCE: Sacramento City Unified School District

School Strengths Inventory

This strengths inventory will help a school-based SEL team determine which strategies are being used at all levels of schoolwide SEL: SEL curriculum & instruction, schoolwide practice & policies, and family & community-level partnerships.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS needs and resources assessment conducting local SEL research continuous improvement PK-12 implementation monitoring implementation evaluation instructional practices classroom level culture and climate MTSS out of school student discipline youth voice

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Key Stakeholders for an SEL Vision

This chart lists participants to involve in the drafting of a district vision for SEL.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS planning integrate with district priorities district SEL expertise building buy-in for SEL SEL leadership

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Vision Statement 3 Step Process

A 3 step process for developing an SEL vision statement with input from a diverse group of stakeholders.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS building buy-in for SEL SEL leadership family and community engagement youth voice

See artifacts shared by districts and schools

Title Document Type

DRC Documents

Fellowship Spotlight – Finding a Focus for Systemic SEL

SEL Fellow and district SEL leader in St. Paul Sara Lein describes their process of developing a shared vision and strategic framework for SEL with more than 400 participants, including students, parents, school district staff, and community members. Visit https://casel.org/series/sel-fellows-briefs/ for more briefs from SEL Fellows.

SOURCE: CASEL

Austin ISD – Statement of Purpose

This statement from Austin ISD's Social & Emotional Learning and Cultural Proficiency & Inclusiveness department describes a guiding vision and defines the role of the department.

SOURCE: Austin Independent School District

TAGS cultural competence equity integrate with district priorities

Baltimore City Public Schools SEL Evaluation Framework

Developed with evaluation partner Hanover Research, this document provides a framework for the evaluation of Baltimore's social and emotional learning programming.

SOURCE: Baltimore City Public Schools

TAGS define SEL metrics continuous improvement implementation evaluation

Thompson School District Strategic Plan

Thompson School District in Loveland, Colorado, deeply imbeds SEL throughout their strategic plan, Strive 2025. The plan includes a Portrait of a Graduate, which guides their SEL vision and the development of SEL standards describing what a student should know and be able to do.

SOURCE: Thompson School District

TAGS implementation plan planning SEL leadership

Sacramento City Unified School District Strategic Plan

Sac City's strategic plan integrates SEL and equity objectives throughout and is built around goals of college and career readiness, safety and emotional health, and family and community empowerment.

SOURCE: Sacramento City Unified School District

TAGS equity integrate with district priorities

Chicago School Climate Standards and Self-Assessment

The Chicago Public Schools' School Climate Standards includes 17 key indicators organized into four domains: School-wide Environment and Leadership, Physical and Emotional Safety, Relational Trust, and Teaching and Learning. This document also includes a self-assessment to support school-level continuous improvement and resources to include student voice assessing school climate.

SOURCE: Chicago Public Schools

TAGS define SEL metrics implementation monitoring culture and climate youth voice

Chicago Public Schools Three-Year Vision

Chicago's vision and plan integrates SEL throughout its priorities, highlighted best in the section on safe and supportive learning environments.

SOURCE: Chicago Public Schools

Washoe County School District 4 Fundamentals

A summarized view of the district vision (curriculum & instruction, inclusive practice, climate & engagement, and multi-tiered systems of support).

SOURCE: Washoe County School District

TAGS implementation plan MTSS planning integrate with district priorities SEL leadership

Baltimore City Schools’ Blueprint for Success

Baltimore City Schools' vision lays out the district's priorities around SEL, literacy, and leadership.

SOURCE: Baltimore City Public Schools

El Paso SEL Implementation Plan

El Paso's plan lays out a map for rolling out SEL to Central Office and in all schools over a 6 year period, with differentiated goals and support planned for each of 5 school cohorts.

SOURCE: El Paso Independent School District

TAGS PBIS implementation plan integrate with district priorities district SEL expertise SEL leadership

Chicago Public Schools Districtwide Vision – Safe and Supportive Schools

Chicago's vision and plan integrates SEL throughout its priorities and core values, highlighted best in the section on Safety and Support.

SOURCE: Chicago Public Schools

TAGS communications community relations college and career readiness culture and climate building community integrate with district priorities

Sacramento City Strategic Plan and Core Values

Sacramento's strategic plan prominently features and integrates equity and social emotional health throughout and states clear actions and proposed services.

SOURCE: Sacramento City Unified School District

TAGS parent leadership equity implementation plan college and career readiness planning integrate with district priorities SEL leadership family and community engagement

Sacramento City Districtwide SEL Program Inventory

This is an example of a third-party report on SEL programs and practices throughout the district, shared by Sacramento City, including a site level inventory as well as findings and recommendations regarding implementation and monitoring.

SOURCE: Sacramento City Unified School District

TAGS assessment evidence-based programs data dashboards conducting local SEL research continuous improvement implementation monitoring implementation evaluation

School and Classroom Walkthrough Rubric (Nashville)

Nashville's clear, succinct yet detailed rubric collects data on schoolwide environment, community gatherings, classroom instruction, classroom environment & discipline in order to provide rich, actionable feedback to schools.

SOURCE: Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools

TAGS implementation support define SEL metrics assessment school visit/observation tool data dashboards conducting local SEL research continuous improvement implementation monitoring implementation evaluation

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Nashville’s Strategic Plan for High Schools

Nashville's 3 year plan for high schools includes strategies, action steps, and yearly goals for leadership, teaching, and curriculum with highlighted connections to social and emotional learning throughout.

SOURCE: Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools

TAGS student leadership implementation plan restorative practices high school grades college and career readiness planning integrate with district priorities

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Oakland Academic Social Emotional Learning Guidance Document

Oakland's guidance document for school leaders describes the district's mission, vision, and tools for measuring success and describes how SEL is part of instructional priorities and multi-tiered systems of support.

SOURCE: Oakland Unified School District

El Paso Strategic Plan

The El Paso Independent School District strategic plan highlights SEL within its strategic priorities ad learning goals, and as a key initiative within the umbrella of providing engaging and challenging learning.

SOURCE: El Paso Independent School District

TAGS communications community relations college and career readiness data dashboards

Find resources to help you learn more on this topic

Title Document Type

DRC Documents

Continuous Improvement for Social and Emotional Learning: Establishing Your Goals (video)

This video summarizes a process for setting clear, measurable goals for SEL. For more information and tools about goal setting, explore:
- for school leaders: https://bit.ly/SELactionplan
- for district leaders: https://bit.ly/districtSELplan

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS implementation plan continuous improvement

Refocus on the SEL Roadmap: Actions for a Successful Second Semester

CASEL offers 3 strategies for a successful second semester amid the coronavirus pandemic, with action steps, tools, and case examples from our partner school districts.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS distance learning

Districtwide SEL Action Planning Workbook (APW)

Once district leaders have built a shared understanding of SEL, teams can use this workbook to organize priorities and goals and build a robust action plan to guide their work and exploration of the District Resource Center.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS define SEL metrics implementation plan continuous improvement planning

Integrating Social, Emotional, and Academic Development (SEAD): An Action Guide for School Leadership Teams

The guide provides practical advice, curated resources, and action steps for school leaders to improve the student experience, calling out specific equity implications in every section to give these issues priority in planning.

SOURCE: The Aspen Institute

TAGS Adult SEL equity culturally responsive culture and climate

Partnering with School Boards to Promote SEL

Successful districtwide SEL implementation engages board members as partners in the process. This tool includes five considerations for creating robust district and school board partnerships.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS school board

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RAND Education Assessment Finder: Measuring social, emotional, and academic competencies

A web-based tool that practitioners, researchers, and policymakers can use to explore what assessments are available, what they measure, how they are administered, and how to use results.

SOURCE: RAND

TAGS student assessment define SEL metrics assessment continuous improvement implementation evaluation

CORE Case Study Tools

A set of 11 tools to support districts into deciding whether to assess, what skills to focus on, selecting valid measures, and interpreting and acting on data.

SOURCE: Transforming Education

TAGS student assessment PLC toolkit define SEL metrics assessment conducting local SEL research continuous improvement implementation evaluation

Are You Ready to Assess Social and Emotional Development?

Toolkit from AIR providing key background information about SEL assessment to weigh risks and benefits, a decision tree, and a comprehensive index of validated tools for measuring SEL outcomes.

SOURCE: AIR

TAGS student assessment toolkit define SEL metrics assessment conducting local SEL research continuous improvement implementation evaluation

Key Insights from the Collaborating Districts Initiative

This CASEL report based on 6 years of the CDI initiative includes insights on what makes implementation work, how districtwide SEL has impacted achievement, and how to scale up successful SEL work.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS research brief SEL overview implementation plan conducting local SEL research PK-12 implementation evaluation planning integrate with district priorities building buy-in for SEL youth voice

Enacting Social-Emotional Learning: Lessons from “Outlier Schools” in California’s CORE Districts

This research brief looks at the commonalities among California middle schools that reported stronger-than-typical social emotional learning outcomes. These 6 characteristics are elaborated into recommendations for school districts supporting SEL at scale.

SOURCE: California CORE Districts

TAGS model SEL schools implementation plan restorative practices advisory/homeroom community relations instructional practices culture and climate building community out of school student discipline

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