Guiding Principles – A Resource Guide for Improving School Climate and Discipline

These guiding principles from the U.S. Department of Education are organized around concepts of creating positive school climate, providing evidence-based supports, promoting social and emotional learning, providing training on positive engagement with students and equitable practices, and adopting an instructional approach to school discipline.

TAGS alternatives to suspension anti-bias student discipline

Austin’s MAPS Course for Freshmen (video)

MAPS (Methods for Academic and Personal Success) is a credit-bearing course for freshmen at Austin High School and other district high schools to support the transition into high school by teaching students how to organize for success, manage their emotions, resolve conflicts, build and maintain positive relationships, and other critical social and emotional learning and student success skills.

TAGS advisory/homeroom high school grades college and career readiness

Restorative Re-entry Toolkit

Chicago Public Schools' Restorative Re-entry Toolkit outlines how schools can welcome and support students returning to school after a serious incident or extended absence. Includes conversation protocols, sample communications, and a template for an individualized re-entry plan.

TAGS trauma MTSS student discipline

Practices of Promise: Youth Voice in Washoe County School District, Nevada

This case example offers a glimpse into WCSD’s process of creating structures to elevate and listen to students, before and through the pandemic.

TAGS student leadership conducting local SEL research continuous improvement youth voice

Test Parent Resource

This tool provides guidance for creating classroom shared agreements, which reflect students’ shared understanding of how they wish to be treated and will treat one another.

Assistant Superintendent of SEL Job Description

Job description for Assistant Superintendent of SEL and Wellness, which also oversees a range of student support services including health and counseling.

TAGS job descriptions hiring practices implementation support human and financial resource alignment SEL leadership

Modeling SEL as a Staff

This tool from CASEL's Guide to Schoolwide SEL provides an activity and examples to engage staff in reflection about how they will intentionally apply social and emotional competencies in their interactions with students and families as part of schoolwide implementation.

TAGS Adult SEL paraprofessionals security staff teacher tool building community

Webinar: Leveraging SEL to Promote Equity

Webinar highlighting district challenges and promising practices, featuring Dr. Rob Jagers' review of research on SEL's connection to equitable outcomes for diverse student populations.

TAGS cultural competence Adult SEL anti-bias research brief equity culturally responsive

Fulfilling the Unkept Promise of Educational Opportunities for California’s Long Term English Learners

Executive summary of a report on California's long-term English Language Learners and recommendations for better supporting students at the secondary level who have not reached English proficiency.

TAGS anti-bias board policies research brief english language learners culturally responsive

Anchorage PK-12 SEL Standards

Anchorage SEL standards with student-friendly "I" statements for each, based around 4 goals of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and social management.

TAGS SEL standards SEL competence PK-12