- States have worked with multiple stakeholders to create visions and strategic plans to guide their work in SEL (see examples below). Meanwhile, school district leaders have said the most important step states can take is to communicate the importance of SEL as an educational priority. Public opinion surveys offers insights into what various stakeholders think about SEL, which can help in shaping messages and addressing concerns.
1. STRATEGIC PLANNING AND VISIONING TOOLS
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.”
Recommended Process Tool for Developing State Guidelines and Practices to Support SEL. Many states have used this tool to help craft their SEL vision and strategic plan. Districts say that communicating the importance of SEL is the most useful action states can take. (January 2017)
Social and Emotional Learning in State Strategic Plans: Examples and Opportunities. This overview is useful for understanding how state education agencies are using various approaches to incorporate SEL into their strategic plans. (October 2018)
District Recommendations for How States Can Support SEL. This brief is based on numerous interviews with district leaders, as well as consultations with states. Useful in gaining insights into which aspects of communicating about SEL should be a priority.
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Links to Other Resources
Foundational Support
Frameworks & Competencies
Vision & Communications
Policy & Funding
Adult SEL
Culture & Climate
Equity
Professional Learning
Student SEL
Integration
Teacher Practices
Implementation
Programs
Continuous Improvement
AssessmentEXTERNAL
National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development: From a Nation at Risk to a Nation at Hope. The final report includes key findings, recommendations, and examples from the multisector coalition whose goal was to build national consensus on the need to integrate SEL and academics into the fabric of American education. Separate, more detailed agendas for policy, research, and practice also are available. (January 2019) NEW
2. COMMUNICATIONS TOOLS
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.”
Making the Case PowerPoint. Customizable slides summarize the evidence supporting SEL as well as rising demand among teachers, principals, students, employers, parents, and others. Great for making the case. (January 2019) NEW
An update on social and emotional learning outcome research. Article in Kappan magazine summarizes key findings from four meta-analyses on SEL. Helpful for making the case. (November 2018) NEW
CASEL’s District Resource Center provides numerous resources related to communications about SEL, including development of a comprehensive district communications plan.
Emerging Insights from States’ Efforts to Strengthen SEL. This report shares lessons learned in the first two years of working with states. It includes a section on communications (Key Insight 6, page 14) and how states are customizing messaging. (June 2018)
EXTERNAL
National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development: Communications Resources. Posters, videos, infographics and other tools that help explain the benefits on SEL. In English and Spanish. (January 2019) NEW
National Commission: Social, Emotional, and Academic Development (SEAD) Fact Sheet. A two-page overview of “fast facts” about SEL from the National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development. Useful in communicating about SEL to audiences unfamiliar with what it is. (2018)
3. OPINION SURVEYS
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.”
Respected: Perspectives of Youth on High School & Social and Emotional Learning. Survey conducted for CASEL finds that current and recent high school students see the benefits of attending schools that emphasize SEL, but majority believe their schools could have done better. Helpful for making the case from youth’s point of view. (November 2018) NEW
The Missing Piece. This report, developed for CASEL by Civic Enterprises and Hart Research Associates, shares results of a national survey of teacher attitudes and experiences with SEL. It is unique in prioritizing the views of teachers. Use it to help make the case for SEL among teachers. (2013)
Ready to Lead: A National Principal Survey on How Social and Emotional Learning Can Prepare Children and Transform Schools. Developed for CASEL by Civic Enterprises and Hart Research Associates, this report presents findings from a national survey of school principals that shows strong support for SEL and a need for resources for implementation and professional learning. (2017)
Employer Support Infographics: Six of the Top 10 skills identified by the World Economic Forum involve social and emotional competence. In another survey, 92% of surveyed executives say skills such as problem-solving and communicating clearly are equal to or more important than technical skills. Companies such as Allstate, Bank of America, and Google are prioritizing SEL.
EXTERNAL
NASBE: Gauging Support for Social and Emotional Skill Building in School. Influential stakeholders in five states view SEL favorably, according to the survey. But they also express reservations about overburdening teachers and labeling students. (April 2019). NEW
McGraw-Hill Education: 2018 Social and Emotional Learning Report. Extensive survey of 1,100-plus educators, administrators, and parents about the professional development, resources, and support for social and emotional learning (SEL) in PreK-12 classrooms. Provides good insights on SEL implementation. (Fall 2018) NEW
Wallace Foundation: Social and Emotional Learning: Feedback and Communications Insights from the Field. Market researchers explore the linguistic landscape of the many terms used to describe nonacademic skills, including SEL. This resource is useful in exploring the numerous terms and concepts related to SEL. (December 2016)
4. STATE EXAMPLES
Many states have developed processes and recommendations for communicating a vision for SEL in their approach to defining SEL competencies/guidelines. See our Frameworks/Competencies/Standards page for examples.
To see how some states are communicating about SEL, check out these sites:
- California
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Dakota
- Rhode Island
- Tennessee
- Washington
- Wisconsin
California’s Social and Emotional Learning Guiding Principles
