We are encouraged by the increased federal investment and continued bipartisan support for social and emotional learning (SEL) in the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY23) Omnibus. Earlier this year, CASEL sent a letter to appropriators calling for robust investments in SEL and SEL-related initiatives.
We thank Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro, Ranking Member Tom Cole, Chair Patty Murray, Ranking Member Roy Blunt, and all the members of both the House and Senate Labor, Health, Human Services, and Education Appropriations Committees for their continued support of SEL and SEL-related initiatives in this year’s federal spending package.
This critical funding for SEL is part of a $3.2 billion increase over the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 enacted level for students’ learning and development in K-12 education, including students with disabilities.
Specifically, the bill provides:
- $284 million for the Education Innovation and Research (EIR) program, an increase of $50 million above the FY 2022 enacted level. Within EIR, the bill includes $87 million to provide grants for SEL interventions and $87 million for STEM and computer science education activities.
- $90 million, an increase of $5 million over the FY 2022 enacted level, for the Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) grant program with a priority for professional development and pathways into teaching that provide a strong foundation in implementing SEL and “whole child” strategies.
- $91 million for Promise Neighborhoods, an increase of $6 million above the FY 2022 enacted level.
- $216 million for School Safety National Activities, an increase of $15 million over the FY 2022 enacted level, which shall be used for competitive grant competitions, technical assistance and capacity-building centers, or Project SERV.
- $150 million, an increase of $75 million over the FY 2022 enacted level, for Full-Service Community Schools to provide comprehensive services and expand evidence-based models that meet the holistic needs of children, families, and communities.
The bill also provides $18.4 billion for Title I-A grants, $1.4 billion for Student Support and Academic Enrichment State Grants (SSAE), and $1.3 billion for Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B), which can support the SEL needs of students. On the teacher prep side, the bill includes $15 million for Hawkins Centers of Excellence and $70 million for Teacher Quality Partnerships.
Statement from CASEL’s president and CEO, Dr. Aaliyah A. Samuel:
“These financial resources are critically important to support the academic and social and emotional well-being of students. We applaud policymakers for joining in the growing support from educators, parents, students, and employers in advancing students’ current and future success—academically, socially, and emotionally.”
