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.

TAGS research brief conducting local SEL research continuous improvement

A Primer for Continuous Improvement in Schools and Districts

This white paper lays out a model and principles for improvement, describes the Plan-Do-Study-Act Cycle, and includes examples for using a Fishbone Diagram and a Driver Diagram to define a problem and establish an aim.

TAGS assessment continuous improvement implementation evaluation planning

Student Voice and Data Summits: Continuous Improvement in Washoe County

Presentation describing the purpose and format of Student-led Data Summits in Washoe County, with highly valuable advice from those who have helped organize them.

TAGS student assessment SEL partnerships student leadership data dashboards conducting local SEL research continuous improvement planning youth voice

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

TAGS implementation plan continuous improvement

Rapid Learning Cycles for Continuous Improvement

This tool helps a team learn about the effectiveness of their SEL strategies and decide whether they should adjust implementation practices to move closer to their SEL goals.

TAGS continuous improvement implementation monitoring implementation evaluation

Districtwide SEL Implementation Rubric – Focus Area 4 Reflect on Data for Continuous Improvement

Building Trusting Relationships for School Improvement – Implications for Principals and Teachers

This booklet looks at the importance of trust in school improvement, particularly regarding relationships between teachers and between teachers and administrators. It includes case studies in middle and high schools, a review of relevant research, common obstacles to trust, and actionable strategies for strengthening trust.

TAGS Adult SEL building community

School Climate Improvement: What do Teachers Believe, Need and Want?

A research report from the National School Climate Center shows 90% of educators believe that a positive school climate is very important, and educators wanted tools and "roadmaps" for improving school climate.

TAGS journal article SEL coaching for staff culture and climate building buy-in for SEL

SEL Trends: Using Data for Improvement

CASEL profiles Austin ISD, El Paso ISD, Nashville Metropolitan School District, and Washoe County School District, about how district leaders in SEL and research have worked together to use data to improve implementation of their SEL strategies. Includes links to artifacts and research reports from the districts.

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

SEL Data Reflection Protocol

This tool presents a structured reflection process for SEL teams and other district stakeholders to observe trends and discuss ideas for continuous improvement of SEL implementation. It emphasizes the importance of examining data with an equity lens and elevating a range of perspectives when interpreting data.

TAGS implementation support continuous improvement implementation monitoring implementation evaluation