Enacting Social-Emotional Learning: Lessons from “Outlier Schools” in California’s CORE Districts

This research brief looks at the commonalities among California middle schools that reported stronger-than-typical social emotional learning outcomes. These 6 characteristics are elaborated into recommendations for school districts supporting SEL at scale.

TAGS model SEL schools implementation plan restorative practices advisory/homeroom community relations instructional practices culture and climate building community out of school student discipline

10th grade Social Studies/SEL Lesson Plans

Two American History lesson plans (WWI and Isolationism, Women's Suffrage, Harlem Renaissance) including all handouts, that include learning structures that strengthen SEL as well as explicit connections to SEL objectives.

TAGS SEL and Academic Integration social studies SEL standards lesson planning teacher tool SEL competence CCSS high school grades instructional practices

Chicago Public Schools Three-Year Vision

Chicago's vision and plan integrates SEL throughout its priorities, highlighted best in the section on safe and supportive learning environments.

SEL Trends: All Schools Benefit

From CASEL's SEL Trends series, this issue explores how four very high-performing districts have shifted perceptions of SEL to emphasize its benefit to all students, regardless of income or academic performance.

TAGS building buy-in for SEL

Ready to Lead: Principals’ Perspectives on How Social and Emotional Learning Can Prepare Children and Transform Schools

This report shows widespread support for SEL among K-12 principals, highlights needs for greater state and district support, and provides policy recommendations. It makes a strong case for investing in SEL.

TAGS research brief building buy-in for SEL SEL leadership

Schoolwide Observation Tool for Climate, Classroom Management, and Instruction

Washoe County's 1 page tool for recording observations about how SEL is present in the school and classroom environment, instruction, and interactions, and a sample activity for debriefing observations in a circle setting.

TAGS SEL and Academic Integration classroom management model SEL schools school visit/observation tool classroom level culture and climate professional learning

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

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

Social and Emotional Learning in Out-of-School Time Settings

Brief from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Wallace Foundation providing guidelines and considerations for adapting leading SEL programs to out-of-school settings.

TAGS SEL partnerships research brief evidence-based programs out of school

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.

TAGS family partnerships SEL partnerships toolkit parent leadership culturally responsive communications family and community engagement