2011 to 2021: 10 Years of SEL in U.S. School Districts

Ten years ago, CASEL began collaborating with school district SEL leaders to explore the question - Is it possible to implement SEL systemically to positively impact students across a large urban school district? Not only did districts demonstrate that it was possible, but every district has deepened and expanded SEL implementation since joining the collaborative. This anniversary report details 6 key insights from these districts about how they were able to sustain SEL over the long term, even as the people and contexts within the district changed.

Practices of Promise: Creating a Caring Culture Through SEL in Atlanta Public Schools

How can districts weave social and emotional learning throughout their work to foster a systemwide culture of connection and trust? Atlanta Public Schools saw SEL as a key strategy for rebuilding culture and redefining how to pursue desired outcomes. Learn more about their journey and how SEL is a focus in their offices of safety and security and human resources.

TAGS hiring practices SEL partnerships culture and climate integrate with district priorities district SEL expertise

Fellowship Spotlight – Spreading the Word About SEL

SEL Fellow and district leader in Florida Daniel Shapiro describes the effort to communicate about the what, why, and how of SEL in a persuasive and accessible way. Visit https://casel.org/series/sel-fellows-briefs/ for more briefs from SEL Fellows.

An Introduction to SEL online course

CASEL's free, one-hour, virtual learning experience includes reflection prompts, videos, and application activities to introduce SEL to staff members, caregivers, community partners, or anyone interested in SEL.

TAGS Adult SEL teacher training communications professional learning

What Is SEL? A Two-Page Summary

This example from a school division in southeastern Virginia provides a quick and accessible look at the 5 SEL competencies, benefits of SEL, and ways school staff support SEL.

TAGS communications community relations building buy-in for SEL

Readiness Considerations for Schoolwide SEL

This reflection tool outlines readiness considerations that could benefit a school community embarking on the process of building a schoolwide SEL effort, and can be useful to district leaders preparing to guide a cohort of schools with SEL implementation. Many of these readiness factors can be reinforced over time and/or built while the school community works towards systemic SEL.

TAGS implementation support model SEL schools professional learning

SEL Rollout in Austin

Austin's sample process for growing a cohort of SEL leadership schools and expanding the scope of SEL work at each over time.

TAGS SEL coaching for staff implementation plan PK-12 professional learning planning

CASEL’s Wheel of SEL Competencies (English)

CASEL's handout showing the 5 core SEL competencies and definitions and examples of each.

TAGS social awareness self awareness self management relationship skills responsible decision making SEL competence SEL overview

CASEL’s Wheel of SEL Competencies (Spanish)

CASEL's handout in Spanish showing the 5 core SEL competencies and definitions and examples of each.

TAGS spanish language resources social awareness self awareness self management relationship skills responsible decision making SEL competence SEL overview

Classroom Guide for using the SEL Competencies Posters

Oakland produced a set of classroom posters featuring the 5 SEL competencies, and provided this guide for teachers to build learning experiences around each poster.

TAGS lesson planning teacher tool social awareness self awareness self management relationship skills responsible decision making SEL competence SEL overview advisory/homeroom communications instructional practices classroom level