Reflect on Data for Continuous Improvement

High-quality SEL implementation is ongoing work that calls on districts to continuously refine and systematically monitor their processes and practices in districts and school communities.  Continuous improvement refers to a deliberate and structured process to identify and address problems of practice in order to improve outcomes. Continuous improvement is part of every focus area in districtwide implementation: it begins when a district establishes a vision, goals, and an action plan for SEL and continues as the district implements and uses real-time data to adjust plans to strengthen adult SEL and promote SEL for students. Focus Area 4 takes a closer look at the “improve” stage of the process, when districts reflect on a full year of data and plan for improvement by addressing challenges and building on success.

If you haven’t identified your data sources yet, start here:

• Data Sources to Assess SEL Implementation and Outcomes – This tool will help you determine what kind of data you will need to measure progress toward your SEL goals, and shares suggestions for collecting data.
• CASEL’s Action Planning Workbook – This workbook walks district SEL leaders through a process to establish a vision and goals for SEL and define a one-year action plan.