Districts in Action – Promote SEL for Students

This brief spotlights SEL leaders in California, Virginia, and Texas as they share their stories about how their approach to promoting SEL for students took shape and integrated with stakeholder needs related to inclusion, discipline, and tiered supports.

TAGS restorative practices MTSS family and community engagement

District SEL Message Map

This example comes from a school division in southeastern Virginia. It provides 3 memorable key messages, succinct supporting details, and statistics to use as talking points or in written communication about SEL.

TAGS media relations communications building buy-in for SEL

SEL Communications Toolkit for School and District Leaders

Extensive focus groups and surveys have shown that the more people know about SEL, the more supportive they become. This toolkit shares five clear actions for a proactive communications strategy for SEL, including examples of effective messages, cautions, and guidance for developing your own materials.

TAGS communications community relations

SEL Administrator Academy: Implementing Social and Emotional Learning Systemwide to Improve Student Achievement

Presentation for district and school administrators to connect SEL standards with Common Core and workforce skills and how to implement/monitor district-wide SEL. Includes activities that model SEL and a full presenter script.

TAGS board policies SEL overview implementation plan college and career readiness professional learning integrate with district priorities district SEL expertise building buy-in for SEL SEL leadership

SEL Trends: Using Data for Improvement

CASEL profiles Austin ISD, El Paso ISD, Nashville Metropolitan School District, and Washoe County School District, about how district leaders in SEL and research have worked together to use data to improve implementation of their SEL strategies. Includes links to artifacts and research reports from the districts.

TAGS define SEL metrics assessment data dashboards conducting local SEL research implementation evaluation

Strengths and Needs Inventory: Vision, Priority, and SEL Alignment

This initial activity walks your team through a high-level inventory of your district’s social and emotional learning (SEL) strengths and needs. The goal is to obtain clarity about your district’s long-term vision, current district priorities and how SEL aligns with them.

Key Stakeholders for an SEL Vision

This chart lists participants to involve in the drafting of a district vision for SEL.

TAGS planning integrate with district priorities district SEL expertise building buy-in for SEL SEL leadership

Oakland Academic Social Emotional Learning Guidance Document

Oakland's guidance document for school leaders describes the district's mission, vision, and tools for measuring success and describes how SEL is part of instructional priorities and multi-tiered systems of support.

TAGS SEL and Academic Integration english language learners define SEL metrics CCSS equity culturally responsive continuous improvement instructional practices culture and climate MTSS integrate with district priorities district SEL expertise SEL leadership

The Case for SEL sample presentation

CASEL's presentation introducing SEL and its evidence base can be adapted for a range of audiences, including district leaders and potential community partners or funders.

TAGS fundraising research brief SEL overview communications community relations college and career readiness integrate with district priorities district SEL expertise

SEL Central Office Professional Learning Community Description

Sacramento's overview and invitation to other central office departments to participate in a district-level SEL professional learning community.

TAGS Adult SEL implementation support PLC SEL partnerships professional learning integrate with district priorities district SEL expertise building buy-in for SEL SEL leadership