Three Highest Priority Investments to Make in SEL with American Rescue Plan (ARP) Dollars

Policy brief with recommendations for how state and local policymakers and district leaders can prioritize American Rescue Plan (ARP) dollars to invest in social and emotional learning. Appendix includes details on funding eligibility for each kind of SEL investment under ARPA.

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

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

SEL Action Guide – District Professional Learning Offerings

This example from a school division in southeastern Virginia shows how they planned and provided professional learning for all district staff to strengthen understanding and investment, and later build skills, collaborate, and apply SEL in their context. The original version of this document included links for their staff to sign up for in-person learning or experience an online module.

TAGS staff onboarding teacher training professional learning

Integrating Equity and SEL: Classroom Visits and Look-Fors

A Minnesota school district shares a set of learning experiences and classroom walk-through tools to develop a shared understanding of how SEL and equity initiatives intersect in classroom environments and instruction.

TAGS equity school visit/observation tool

Interview Questions for Superintendent Candidates and other District Leadership

Sample interview questions for superintendent candidates to understand their experience, vision, depth of knowledge, and prioritization of SEL.

TAGS hiring practices staff onboarding human and financial resource alignment integrate with district priorities

Oakland’s Leadership Growth and Development System Principal Handbook

Handbook detailing each dimension of the principal evaluation framework, with categories including "Leadership for Healthy Relationships and Culture" and "Leadership for Equity".

TAGS board policies human and financial resource alignment equity culture and climate integrate with district priorities SEL leadership

Encouraging Social and Emotional Learning: Next Steps for States

This brief from the Learning Policy Institute provides recommendations for how state agencies can measure and promote SEL in their accountability and continuous improvement plans.

TAGS school board board policies research brief assessment continuous improvement integrate with district priorities

Sacramento City Unified School District Strategic Plan

Sac City's strategic plan integrates SEL and equity objectives throughout and is built around goals of college and career readiness, safety and emotional health, and family and community empowerment.

TAGS equity integrate with district priorities

Early Lessons from Schools and Out-of-School Time Programs Implementing Social and Emotional Learning

This report details the study of partnerships between schools and out of school time partners working together to implement SEL in a coordinated way, organizing lessons learned into 4 main categories: system-level launch activities, developing partnerships, developing adults' capacity to promote SEL, and improving climate and delivering SEL instruction.

TAGS community partnerships implementation evaluation out of school