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.

Systems-Wide Reflection: Indicators of Schoolwide and Districtwide SEL

This chart sets CASEL’s Indicators of Districtwide SEL and Indicators of Schoolwide SEL side by side, with links to further information, suggested implementation processes, and examples. District leaders can use this tool to guide reflection, conversation, and planning about how social and emotional learning (SEL) is integrated throughout systems at the school level and at the district level.

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

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

Standards Development Steering Committee Agenda

CASEL's sample agenda for a district-level meeting to introduce the project of developing district SEL standards.

TAGS SEL standards board policies SEL partnerships implementation plan planning SEL leadership youth voice