Newsletter Archive: July 2020

Registered users of the District Resource Center and the Guide to Schoolwide SEL receive quarterly newsletters from CASEL with featured tools and learning opportunities. This issue focuses on returning to learning in the fall during the coronavirus pandemic.

TAGS newsletter

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

Student Voice Resources from Chicago

Chicago Public Schools Department of Student Voice and Engagement shares resources for district schools to elevate student voice, learn from students, and build stronger student-adult partnerships.

TAGS student leadership continuous improvement youth voice

Nashville’s Strategic Plan for High Schools

Nashville's 3 year plan for high schools includes strategies, action steps, and yearly goals for leadership, teaching, and curriculum with highlighted connections to social and emotional learning throughout.

TAGS student leadership implementation plan restorative practices high school grades college and career readiness planning 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

Oakland’s Teacher Growth and Development System

Oakland's teacher evaluation and growth framework includes goals around equity, classroom community, growth mindset, culturally responsive teaching, student collaboration/communication/& choice.

TAGS teacher evaluation board policies human and financial resource alignment equity instructional practices classroom level integrate with district priorities

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

Boston Public Schools Essentials for Instructional Equity

Outlines 4 adult competencies for facilitating learning for diverse students, and includes an appendix of culturally and linguistically sustaining practices, a learning experience design template, and a parent guide.

TAGS cultural competence anti-bias reading lists - staff equity culturally responsive college and career readiness instructional practices integrate with district priorities

Austin ISD – Statement of Purpose

This statement from Austin ISD's Social & Emotional Learning and Cultural Proficiency & Inclusiveness department describes a guiding vision and defines the role of the department.

TAGS cultural competence equity integrate with district priorities

Social and Emotional Learning in Practice: Toolkit of Practical Strategies and Resources

Ideal for OST programs, includes tools for equipping staff to teach SEL, creating the learning environment, designing impactful learning experiences, and using data for improvement. Special attention is paid to culturally responsive design.

TAGS paraprofessionals security staff staff onboarding teacher tool toolkit reading lists - staff culturally responsive teacher training advisory/homeroom middle school grades PK-12 instructional practices classroom level culture and climate building community out of school professional learning