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

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

Article: Academic Learning + Social-Emotional Learning = National Priority

A 5 page article that describes social and emotional learning and its impact to a broad audience and makes the case for SEL as a district level, state, and national priority in education.

TAGS reading lists - staff SEL competence research brief SEL overview district SEL expertise building buy-in for SEL

The Economic Value of Social and Emotional Learning

A benefit-cost analysis of investments in SEL showing that high-quality, research-validated social and emotional learning programs bring a return of $11 for every $1 invested.

Cleveland Teachers Union Agreement

See article 15, sections 19-24 (beginning on page 70) to see provisions regarding the role of the district’s HumanWare/Social Emotional Learning Committee, the use of Classroom Meetings, and more.

TAGS board policies job descriptions staff onboarding human and financial resource alignment

Personal SEL Reflection

Principals, administrators, SEL team members, staff members, and other adults can use this tool to assess personal strengths, think about how to model those strengths when interacting with others, and plan strategies to promote growth across areas of social competence.

Personal SEL Reflection

Principals, administrators, SEL team members, staff members, and other adults can use this tool to assess personal strengths, think about how to model those strengths when interacting with others, and plan strategies to promote growth across areas of social competence.

TAGS Adult SEL paraprofessionals security staff staff onboarding teacher tool SEL competence teacher training professional learning district SEL expertise building buy-in for SEL SEL leadership

Modeling SEL as a Staff

This tool from CASEL's Guide to Schoolwide SEL provides an activity and examples to engage staff in reflection about how they will intentionally apply social and emotional competencies in their interactions with students and families as part of schoolwide implementation.

TAGS Adult SEL paraprofessionals security staff teacher tool building community

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

Applying an Equity Lens to Social, Emotional, and Academic Development

This issue brief describes 5 major barriers to equitable access to social emotional learning and positive life outcomes, and corresponding opportunities for districts to to dismantle those barriers by approaching SEL in ways that are grounded in equity and justice.

TAGS cultural competence anti-bias trauma board policies SEL competence research brief equity student discipline