Advancing Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) as a Lever for Equity and Excellence

This report summarizes five emerging insights based on the efforts of school districts in CASEL’s Equity Work Group (EWG).

TAGS equity implementation plan planning

Integrating Social, Emotional, and Academic Development (SEAD): An Action Guide for School Leadership Teams

The guide provides practical advice, curated resources, and action steps for school leaders to improve the student experience, calling out specific equity implications in every section to give these issues priority in planning.

TAGS Adult SEL equity culturally responsive culture and climate

Develop a Long-term SEL Implementation Roadmap

This tool provides a template and step-by-step instructions to help district SEL teams develop a three to five-year roadmap for SEL implementation to achieve the district’s long-term SEL goals and shared vision.

TAGS define SEL metrics implementation plan planning

Fund Development Webinar for SEL Leads: Slides

Slides handout accompanying CASEL's webinar about pursuing foundation/philanthropic funding for SEL.

TAGS SEL partnerships fundraising human and financial resource alignment planning

Develop Short-Term Goals for Districtwide SEL

Short-term goals are what the district SEL team aims to accomplish within one year. This tool builds on a district's shared vision, long-term SEL goals, and SEL implementation roadmap and will support the district team in developing a detailed one-year action plan.

TAGS define SEL metrics implementation plan continuous improvement planning

SEL Implementation Guide from Austin ISD

In this resource, Austin Independent School District shares an overview of their SEL story, the results they have seen, and tips learned along the way. This presents a detailed and successful model to share with district leaders who are preparing an implementation plan or just beginning to consider investing in SEL.

TAGS implementation plan communications planning building buy-in for SEL

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

Create a Stakeholder Map to Support a Strategic Plan for SEL

This tool was made to help district leaders (in particular superintendents and designated SEL leaders) identify key stakeholders and determine how best to bring in their voice and support in the process of strategic planning and continuous improvement for districtwide SEL implementation.

TAGS SEL partnerships human and financial resource alignment implementation plan

What does SEL look like in elementary, middle, and high school?

This curated list of articles and videos illustrate what SEL looks like in elementary, middle, and high school settings. Explore these links to deepen your knowledge and find grade-differentiated resources for professional learning and planning.

TAGS middle school grades high school grades elementary school grades

The District Resource Center: Essentials

The DRC Essentials is a mini-book that contains a printable summary of the 4 focus areas and 16 key activities that make up CASEL's District Theory of Action, along with a set of core planning tools to help districts organize priorities and goals and build a robust action plan to guide their work.