Communication: When schools send regular, coherent messages about SEL that are consistent in tone and content, while also ensuring they listen and respond to the inputs, ideas and needs of stakeholders (including staff, students, families, community partners, etc.). This is most likely to happen when schools take the time to learn more about the stakeholders they serve and use strategies to create personal connections.
Leverage strategic and aligned community partnerships that ensure students receive consistent SEL supports, increase access to a broad range of community services, and expand the professional learning opportunities for SEL.
Assess needs and resources to develop an SEL implementation plan with clear goals, action steps, and assigned ownership.
Establish a structured, ongoing process to collect, reflect on, and use implementation and outcome data to inform school-level decisions and drive improvements to SEL implementation.
Professional Learning Communities
Professional learning communities provide an important opportunity to integrate SEL into existing practices, work collaboratively on the goals of schoolwide SEL, and cultivate their own social and emotional competencies.
This process helps schools create an environment that supports students in developing the academic, social, and emotional competencies that they need to navigate the world.
The SEL team serves as a model for positive practices that promote healthy relationships among adults, students, and families. It’s highly beneficial to build a strong team dynamic and positive working relationship by developing group norms and team routines.
Develop a coordinated approach for supporting students’ social and emotional learning across the school, classrooms, homes, and communities.
Review your current level of implementation, identify needs and resources, set goals, and develop concrete action steps for SEL implementation.
Schoolwide SEL is evidenced by indicators in the classroom, school, family, and community.