Districts in Action – Promote SEL for Students

This brief spotlights SEL leaders in California, Virginia, and Texas as they share their stories about how their approach to promoting SEL for students took shape and integrated with stakeholder needs related to inclusion, discipline, and tiered supports.

TAGS restorative practices MTSS family and community engagement

SEL Toolkit for Parent Champions

A quick guide for parents and caregivers to share accurate information in support of SEL, including tools to ground conversations in facts and data, dispel misinformation, and advocate for high-quality SEL.

TAGS family partnerships parent leadership

District SEL Message Map

This example comes from a school division in southeastern Virginia. It provides 3 memorable key messages, succinct supporting details, and statistics to use as talking points or in written communication about SEL.

TAGS media relations communications building buy-in for SEL

SEL Skills Continuum, Adult and PreK-12

This example from a school division in southeastern Virginia includes "I can" statements to describe skills within each of the 5 SEL competency areas. Separate lists for adults, PreK, K-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-8, 9-10, and 11-12 show how social and emotional skills are developmental and are expressed differently over time.

TAGS SEL standards

SEL Communications Toolkit for School and District Leaders

Extensive focus groups and surveys have shown that the more people know about SEL, the more supportive they become. This toolkit shares five clear actions for a proactive communications strategy for SEL, including examples of effective messages, cautions, and guidance for developing your own materials.

TAGS communications community relations

Academic SEL and Mathematics Curriculum Materials

From the University of Texas Charles A. Dana Center, this brief tool can help determine to what degree your district's math instructional materials and educator practices integrate SEL competencies. While focused on math, much can be applied to other core subjects.

TAGS SEL and Academic Integration math

A Case for School Connectedness

Short article from Educational Leadership describing the impact of strong school connectedness on academic achievement, behavior, absenteeism, and school completion, as well as and practices that enhance it.

TAGS bullying prevention mental health journal article relationship skills research brief advisory/homeroom middle school grades high school grades culture and climate building community integrate with district priorities

Navigating Uncertain Times: How Schools Can Cope with Coronavirus

EdSurge's collection of news, resources, and expert advice to help educators and school leaders make informed decisions about supporting learning during school closures.

TAGS COVID-19 distance learning coronavirus

Training Educators to Understand the Needs of English Learners PreK-12

White paper about educator training in English to Speakers of Other Languages, Touches on building on students' cultural background and experiences and the impact of teacher biases toward students learning English.

TAGS anti-bias research brief english language learners culturally responsive teacher training PK-12

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