Pursuing Social and Emotional Development Through a Racial Equity Lens: 5 Strategies for System Leaders to Take Action

The Aspen Education & Society Program's recommended strategies for pursuing social, emotional, and academic development through a racial equity lens.

TAGS cultural competence school board anti-bias board policies equity integrate with district priorities district SEL expertise SEL leadership family and community engagement youth voice

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

This Time, With Feeling: Integrating Social and Emotional Development and College and Career Readiness Standards

Primer on the interconnections of social and emotional development and ambitious academic goals in achieving college and career readiness. Includes examples of how SEL is relevant in ELA, Math, and Science and recommendations for action.

TAGS SEL and Academic Integration Science english/language arts math reading lists - staff research brief CCSS SEL overview college and career readiness PK-12 integrate with district priorities district SEL expertise building buy-in for SEL

Social and Emotional Skills for Life and Career: Policy Levers that Focus on the Whole Child

This Policy Snapshot identifies 4 main categories of state and district policy considerations for integrating SEL and preparing teachers and administrators to focus on the whole child.

TAGS school board SEL standards board policies research brief integrate with district priorities SEL leadership

Washoe’s Four Fundamentals: Beginning of the Year Shared Visioning for Staff

Washoe County used this presentation to summarize the district vision (curriculum & instruction, inclusive practice, climate & engagement, and multi-tiered systems of support) and engage in a process of reflection and planning. Presenter notes included.

TAGS implementation plan MTSS planning integrate with district priorities SEL leadership

Social Emotional Learning: Goal-Setting and Relationships are Part of District’s Academic Core (video)

Washoe County School District is featured in this video from Edweek, describing the district's process for developing SEL metrics for instructional purposes and growth.

TAGS student assessment videos assessment continuous improvement

Cross-District Visit Observation Tool (Sacramento)

This observation tool was used at CASEL's 2019 Cross District Learning Event in Sacramento. It highlights the intersections of SEL and equity goals in Sacramento City Unified School District.

TAGS equity school visit/observation tool

Washoe County School District 3 Year Implementation Plan – Middle School

A flow chart from Washoe County School District illustrating the process of schoolwide SEL development over 3 years, with roles for district staff, principal, and SEL Leadership Team members.

TAGS implementation plan middle school grades

Washoe County School District 3 Year Implementation Plan – High School

A flow chart from Washoe County School District illustrating the process of schoolwide SEL development over 3 years, with roles for district staff, principal, and SEL Leadership Team members.

TAGS implementation plan high school grades

District SEL Best Practices: Cultivating Shared Leadership for Schoolwide SEL

A district SEL leader from Austin, TX describes their leadership structure and approach to supporting SEL implementation through district SEL specialists who provide coaching and training for cohorts of school-based SEL leaders who in turn work with an SEL steering committee that is representative of the broader school community. This model has been shown to significantly improve implementation.

TAGS implementation support SEL coaching for staff implementation plan