Welcome to CASEL

Our mission is to establish social and emotional learning (SEL) as an essential part of education. We envision a world where families, schools, and communities work together to promote children's success in school and life and to support the healthy development of all children. In this vision, children and adults are engaged life-long learners who are self-aware, caring and connected to others, and responsible in their decision-making. Children and adults achieve to their fullest potential, and participate constructively in a democratic society.

In Memoriam, Rachael Kessler, 1946-2010

SEL in a NCLB World in Edutopia Feb. 25

CASEL Board Chairman Tim Shriver, Superintendent Sheldon Berman of the Jefferson County, Kentucky Public Schools, and Kati Delhanty, an English teacher from Charlestown High School in Boston will discuss "Social and Emotional Learning: Making a Case in a NCLB World" in a free Edutopia webinar February 25 at 6pm CST. Register or read more.

2009 CASEL Forum

Washington, D.C. Nearly a hundred influential education, civic, and policy leaders gathered to begin framing a national strategy to make social and emotional learning (SEL) central to school reform. The December 9 meeting was built around a theme of Ready! and focused on opportunities to pursue over the next several years to make high quality SEL integral to the learning experience of every child. More »

Federal SEL Legislation Introduced

The Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning Act (H.R. 4223) was introduced at the Forum. Congressman Dale E. Kildee(D-MI), Congresswoman Judy Biggert (R-IL), and Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) sponsored this legislation that authorizes the US Department of Education to establish and support evidence-based programs and allocate funds to establish a national SEL technical assistance center. To learn more, read the press release and the legislation.

Edutopia Highlights Districtwide SEL

The George Lucas Educational Foundation has released a series of videos, articles, and online resources examining district-wide SEL in Jefferson County Kentucky. CASEL collaborated by providing content expertise and previewed the series at its 2009 Forum. Click the picture to view a sample video.

Latest CASEL Publications

Social and Emotional Learning and Bullying Prevention Just released, this brief illustrates the relationship between social and emotional factors and bullying; explains how an SEL framework can be extended to include bullying prevention; and provides suggested resources for doing so.

Other Recent CASEL Publications »

New to our site? Click here for help getting started.