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

Partnering with Community Organizations to Support SEL

This tool from CASEL's Guide to Schoolwide SEL describes 3 main ways schools can partner with community organizations: by bringing partners into the school, linking families with their resources, and organizing community-based experiences for students.

TAGS community partnerships SEL partnerships toolkit MTSS SEL leadership

Restorative Practices: Fostering Healthy Relationships & Promoting Positive Discipline in Schools

Definitions and demonstrations of the impact of restorative practices with guidance for implementing at the classroom and school level, sponsored by the NEA and AFT.

TAGS classroom management alternatives to suspension security staff toolkit social awareness relationship skills responsible decision making reading lists - staff equity restorative practices classroom level culture and climate building community student discipline

MTSS SEL School Model

Chicago Public Schools' model for how social and emotional learning should be integrated into a multi-tiered system of supports for all students.

TAGS MTSS

Practices of Promise: Exploring Ways to Share the Power Toward Equitable Decision-Making in Portland Public Schools

How can a school district select an SEL program that aligns with its commitment to equity and social justice through an inclusive process that also demonstrates and deepens that commitment? This brief describes Portland's approach that brought many voices to the table, shared decision-making power, built trust, and centered the district's equity work.

TAGS evidence-based programs family and community engagement 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

Sample Schoolwide SEL 101 Presentation

This presentation can be adapted and used to introduce SEL to staff, families, and community partners. It gives an overview of what is SEL, why it’s important, and the process for schoolwide SEL. Talking points and activity instructions are provided in the notes section. Also available in Spanish.

TAGS three signature practices staff onboarding SEL overview classroom level culture and climate professional learning district SEL expertise building buy-in for SEL SEL leadership

Funding Case Study: Washoe County School District

CASEL's case study of Washoe County School District describes funding sources for their SEL work, budget strategies that other districts can apply, and tables and graphs of SEL expenditures.

TAGS budgeting implementation support SEL partnerships fundraising human and financial resource alignment

RFP for SEL Curriculum for High School

Atlanta's full Request for Proposals for High School SEL programs with sample ad, timeline, and scope of work.

TAGS contracting school board human and financial resource alignment evidence-based programs

The Impact of Enhancing Students’ Social Emotional Learning: A Meta-Analysis of School-Based Universal Interventions

Meta-analysis showing that compared to controls, participants in school-based SEL programs demonstrated improved skills and an 11 percentile point gain in achievement.

TAGS journal article reading lists - staff SEL competence evidence-based programs district SEL expertise building buy-in for SEL