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.

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

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.

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

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.

TAGS implementation plan elementary school grades district SEL expertise youth voice

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.

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

Oakland SEL Journey Map (infographic)

This infographic from Oakland presents the district's SEL starting point and vision for transformation.

TAGS equity SEL overview implementation plan communications youth voice

Research Analyst Job Description

Job description for a data analyst who can assist an SEL team by developing evaluation designs, managing and overseeing data collection and analysis, and reporting evaluation results.

TAGS job descriptions hiring practices human and financial resource alignment continuous improvement implementation evaluation

Districtwide Professional Learning Audit

This is an example of a third-party audit of a district's SEL professional learning offerings and practices, shared by Sacramento City. This level of analysis may be a helpful model for districts in which SEL work is distributed across many departments.

TAGS needs and resources assessment implementation plan professional learning

Case Study: Anchorage Public Schools Process for Developing SEL Standards

SEL standards and a description of Anchorage's process of developing them, piloting their use, and bringing them to scale district-wide.

TAGS SEL standards board policies implementation plan middle school grades high school grades elementary school grades PK-12 planning

Developing and Articulating Learning Goals or Competencies for Social and Emotional Learning

American Institutes for Research and CASEL teamed up to create this guide for developing SEL standards. Includes a definition of terms and guidance for setting up a writing team and articulating learning goals.

TAGS SEL standards board policies SEL competence implementation plan planning

The Collaborating States Initiative (CSI) Recommended Process for Developing State Policies and Guidelines to Support Social and Emotional Learning

AIR and CASEL's guide for State Education Agencies to develop, implement, and sustain SEL policies and guidelines. This document provides the "big picture", other related documents provide detail for specific action steps.

TAGS SEL standards board policies implementation plan planning