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

Thompson School District Strategic Plan

Thompson School District in Loveland, Colorado, deeply imbeds SEL throughout their strategic plan, Strive 2025. The plan includes a Portrait of a Graduate, which guides their SEL vision and the development of SEL standards describing what a student should know and be able to do.

TAGS implementation plan planning SEL leadership

Vision Statement 3 Step Process

A 3 step process for developing an SEL vision statement with input from a diverse group of stakeholders.

TAGS building buy-in for SEL SEL leadership family and community engagement youth voice

Washoe County 3 Year Implementation Plan – Elementary

A flow chart from Washoe County illustrating the process of schoolwide SEL development over 3 years, with roles for district staff, principal, and SEL Leadership Team members.

TAGS implementation plan elementary school grades district SEL expertise youth voice

Naperville, IL – One District’s Journey from Commitment to Assessment

Naperville's presentation sharing their SEL implementation timeline, process of curriculum development, and measurement plan.

TAGS define SEL metrics implementation plan assessment continuous improvement implementation evaluation SEL leadership

Funding Case Study: Chicago Public Schools

CASEL's case study of Chicago describes funding sources for their SEL work, budget strategies that other districts can apply, and graphs of SEL expenditures (large budget).

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

Funding Case Study: Washoe County School District

CASEL's case study of Washoe Country describes funding sources for their SEL work, budget strategies that other districts can apply, and graphs of SEL expenditures (mid-sized budget).

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

Funding Case Study: Wheaton-Warrenville Community Unit School District 200

CASEL's case study of Wheaton-Warrenville describes funding sources for their SEL work, budget strategies that other districts can apply, and graphs of SEL expenditures (small budget).

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

Funding Case Study: Austin Independent School District

CASEL's case study of Austin describes funding sources for their SEL work, budget srategies that other districts can apply, and graphs of SEL expenditures (large budget).

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

Students with Strong Social Skills in Kindergarten More Likely To Thrive As Adults

Short article describing a 20 year study connecting students' social skills in kindergarten to their well-being as adults.

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