Readiness Considerations for Schoolwide SEL

This reflection tool outlines readiness considerations that could benefit a school community embarking on the process of building a schoolwide SEL effort, and can be useful to district leaders preparing to guide a cohort of schools with SEL implementation. Many of these readiness factors can be reinforced over time and/or built while the school community works towards systemic SEL.

TAGS implementation support model SEL schools professional learning

Marcus Garvey Elementary: Exemplary Supportive School

Chicago Public Schools recognizes schools for systemic SEL implementation through a Supportive Schools Certification process. Marcus Garvey Elementary is one of the schools that has earned the highest certification level, and this video illustrates the ways SEL has been integrated into systems and practices.

TAGS videos model SEL schools communications

Austin Independent School District SEL Newsletter

Samples of a bilingual newsletter distributed by the SEL department in Austin, including a school spotlight, featured SEL strategy, and family resources.

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School Climate Survey Compendia

The National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments maintains this list of valid and reliable surveys, assessments, and scales of school climate.

TAGS define SEL metrics assessment continuous improvement PK-12 implementation evaluation

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

School Climate Improvement: What do Teachers Believe, Need and Want?

A research report from the National School Climate Center shows 90% of educators believe that a positive school climate is very important, and educators wanted tools and "roadmaps" for improving school climate.

TAGS journal article SEL coaching for staff culture and climate building buy-in for SEL

Key Responsibilities of a School-Family Partnership Lead

This tool from CASEL's Guide to Schoolwide SEL defines the role of a parent leader who is a member of the school's SEL team and coordinator of school-family partnerships. Also available in Spanish.

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In Oakland, Reinventing School Policing

Article and video about Oakland schools' partnership with police and special SEL training for school-based officers.

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Sample School Report – Staff Survey on SEL Implementation

To support schools in their process of SEL continuous improvement, provide school leaders with data that gives insight relevant to their SEL goals and action plans. This report is an example of what a district might provide to a school, summarizing staff responses to CASEL's survey on SEL implementation.

TAGS implementation support continuous improvement implementation monitoring

School Strengths Inventory

This strengths inventory will help a school-based SEL team determine which strategies are being used at all levels of schoolwide SEL: SEL curriculum & instruction, schoolwide practice & policies, and family & community-level partnerships.

TAGS needs and resources assessment conducting local SEL research continuous improvement PK-12 implementation monitoring implementation evaluation instructional practices classroom level culture and climate MTSS out of school student discipline youth voice