CSI Resources: Policy & Funding

CASEL

Feel free to download, customize, and use with attribution, e.g., “Developed by Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning and used with permission.”

The Three Highest Priority Investments to Make in SEL with American Rescue Plan Dollars. This CASEL policy brief covers three recommendations for where investments of ARP dollars could most effectively bolster systemic implementation of SEL. They are aimed at district leaders, as well as local and state policymakers.

How State Planning for the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Can Promote Student Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning. This CASEL report describes five key ways state ESSA plans are advancing SEL. Although the report outlines state plans before they were finalized in 2018, its serves a reminder of the important connections between SEL and ESSA.

Federal Policy Page. The federal policy page of the CASEL website outlines where key federal policy issues, like ESSA or proposed federal legislation, intersect with social and emotional learning. You can use this if you are interested in opportunities to expand and support SEL through federal policy.

EXTERNAL

Child Trends: State laws promoting social, emotional, and academic development leave room for improvement. An overview of the policies in all 50 states that address SEL, SEL in health education, cultural competency, trauma-informed practices, and mental/emotional health curriculum. (January 2019)

Education Commission of the States: State Policies on School Discipline. Profiles policies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. (August 2018)

Annie E. Casey Foundation: Supporting SEL with Evidence-Based Programs. This report provides examples of districts that have successfully funded SEL. It can be used as a starting point for thinking about how to fund SEL initiatives.

ASCD: ESSA Implementation Resources for Educators. A discussion of how ESSA connects with school health programs in terms of consolidation and funding. Although not specific to SEL, the document acts as a quick guide to understanding how ESSA can support school health programs.

Council of Chief State School Officers: Advancing Equity through ESSA: Strategies for State Leaders. A discussion of how ESSA promotes equity in eight key areas. Page 3 offers recommendations on closing funding gaps. The report is important for state education agencies that want to employ ESSA to accomplish multiple initiatives.

Education First: Making the Most of the Every Student Succeeds Act. 
A slide deck that provides information on the key changes between ESSA and NCLB and offers recommendations on designing innovative ESSA plans. Information on funding starts on slide 29.