Collaborating States Initiative

The Collaborating States Initiative (CSI) is a collaborative relationship with and between state education agencies aimed at creating the conditions for high-quality, systemic SEL. 

Since its creation in 2016, the CSI has scaled state-level SEL work from 8 states to over 40 states and one U.S. territory, representing more than 90% of districts, schools, teachers, and students in the US. We’ve also found that states connected to the CSI were more likely to adopt SEL competencies and four times more likely to share SEL guidance. 

In partnership with national advisors, we provide state partners with: 

• Community of practice, including national meeting of state teams, including state leaders; regional meetings that provide similarly located states to collaborate on their SEL policies and practices; and collaboration on common problems of practice. 
• Technical assistance, including coaching that is organized around their customized goals; resources such as webinars, a newsletter, and a robust SEL library in our state resource center; findings from state-specific research; information on best practices and evidence-based tools developed for the field; and customized plans for advancing SEL. 
• Deeper exploration of key areas, such as career and workforce development and SEL, and examples from CASEL, partners, states, and districts.  

State Resource Center: Mapping the Journey

The CSI offers over 125resources in its State Resource Center. We recommend exploring these key areas first to help you best utilize the curated library of resources from examples from CASEL, partners, states, and districts.

• Do a deep dive into the state theory of action. Our 2020 report explores how to use the theory of action as a tool. 
• Our three process tools can help states get organized:
  • Features of high-quality policies and guidelines
  • Recommended process for engaging a team on policies and guidelines
  • Guidance on how to develop state competencies or standards and our updated brief examining K-12 competencies/standards in 18 states

SEL and Workforce Initiative

In 2020, CASEL launched the SEL and Workforce initiative, strategically supporting teams in eight states in partnership with key national collaborators.

Our 2022 brief introduced a developmental framework for states working to systemically integrate evidence-based SEL with career and workforce development efforts.

In 2022, CASEL, CIVIC, and the Coalition for Career Development Center released their groundbreaking report for policymakers on integrating SEL and career and workforce development.

Three case studies describe the development and implementation of SEL integrated with career and workforce development efforts in Delaware, Kansas, and Wisconsin.

CSI Advisory Committee

The CSI Advisory Committee supports state teams in achieving their customized goals and plans—creating the conditions for the districts and schools in their state to implement evidence-based, equity-focused SEL policies and practices.