SEL: Why Students Need It. What Districts are Doing About It.

Education First produced this implementation-focused booklet aimed at policymakers, funders, and school/district staff. Featuring Anchorage, Sacramento, and Bridgeport, Connecticut.

TAGS SEL overview model SEL schools implementation plan evidence-based programs planning integrate with district priorities building buy-in for SEL

Developing Awareness of Instructional Practices that Promote SEL – School and District Leader Version

3 part tool to guide a school staff or district team to identify current instructional practices that support social and emotional development, and then learn about, prioritize, and plan to incorporate additional strategies.

TAGS SEL and Academic Integration english/language arts math social studies lesson planning teacher tool SEL competence teacher training instructional practices classroom level building buy-in for SEL

Procedure for SEL Walkthroughs (Nashville)

Clear instructions for before, during, and after school site visits using Nashville's walkthrough rubric.

TAGS implementation support assessment school visit/observation tool conducting local SEL research continuous improvement implementation monitoring implementation evaluation

SEL Learning Walk Protocol – Anchorage

Anchorage's protocol for preparing and facilitating learning walks, well suited for districts that are organizing cross-campus visits to exemplary classrooms.

TAGS model SEL schools school visit/observation tool conducting local SEL research classroom level building buy-in for SEL

Nashville’s SEL Multi-Tiered Systems of Support

1 pager showing specific programs, supports, and interventions that support students at all 3 levels of MTSS.

TAGS counselors restorative practices evidence-based programs MTSS

Teacher Interview: How Do SEL Skills Come Into Play for You as an Adult? (video)

Interview with a teacher in Anchorage reflecting on her own social and emotional development and how she models for her students.

TAGS Adult SEL videos teacher tool self awareness model SEL schools elementary school grades classroom level

Teacher Interview: Why debrief at the end of an SEL lesson? (video)

A teacher describes how she sets aside time for students to process and debrief a class activity in order so students recognize that they're developing social and emotional skills.

TAGS SEL and Academic Integration mindfulness videos teacher training model SEL schools elementary school grades instructional practices classroom level

Recommended Readings for Staff

Recommended Readings for staff development. Topics include Introducing the Importance of SEL, SEL and Equity, SEL and Academic Integration, Restorative Practices, Adult SEL, and Partnering with Families for SEL.
(Within each topic, readings are listed in order of length)

TAGS reading lists - staff district SEL expertise building buy-in for SEL

Adult SEL Posters

Minneapolis Public Schools developed a set of posters describing how adults exercise social and emotional skills in 5 core areas.

TAGS Adult SEL SEL competence teacher training

Promoting SEL in the Middle and High School Years

This brief from Pennsylvania State University reviews the current landscape of universal school-based programs designed to promote social and emotional growth in middle and high school students through skill-focused programs, academic integration, teaching practices, and organizational reform.

TAGS middle school grades high school grades evidence-based programs