Social and Emotional Learning Office of Student Support Services Social and Emotional Learning in New Jersey Schools March 1, 2017

Purpose of Today’s Presentation To share the Department’s ongoing collaborative efforts to support the social and emotional learning competencies; To present newly created NJ Social and Emotional Learning Competencies; and To seek adoption of a resolution to support and encourage school district implementation of the NJ Social and Emotional Learning Competencies.

What is Social and Emotional Learning? Background What is Social and Emotional Learning? Social and emotional learning (SEL) helps students develop the understanding, strategies and skills to: Support a positive sense of self Promote respectful relationships Recognize and manage their own emotions Make responsible decisions These competencies: Promote positive school climates Prepare students for post-secondary success

Why SEL? Why is SEL Important? SEL programs are shown to reduce student high-risk behaviors. Students in SEL programs are more likely to attend school, less likely to have conduct problems and receive better grades. Students with explicit SEL instruction: Gain self-discipline and initiative Improve their communication skills and ability to advocate Are better able to work with others, understand differing viewpoints and collaborate Have an understanding of social responsibility and their role as citizens

Other External Partners Stakeholders SEL Stakeholders NJDOE Offices School Staff Other External Partners Student Support Services Early Childhood Education Career Readiness Teaching and Learning Special Education Regional Achievement Centers Holocaust Commission County Offices District Administrators Principals Teachers Counselors School Psychologists School Climate & Culture Specialists Center for Prevention & Counseling Center for Supportive Schools College of St. Elizabeth Governor’s Council on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Juvenile Justice Commission Peace Praxis NAMI NJ National School Climate Center New Jersey Alliance for Social, Emotional & Character Development NJ School Counselor Association NJ Association of School Psychologists NJ ASCD NJ Dept. of Children and Families NJ Dept. of Human Services NJ Division of Mental Health & Addiction Services NJ PTA NJ Positive Behavior Support in Schools NJ Principals & Supervisors Association NJ School Health & Climate Coalition Rider University Rutgers University Traumatic Loss Coalitions for Youth (University Behavioral Health Care)  United Way of Northern New Jersey

SEL Working Group: Stakeholder Engagement NJDOE Efforts SEL Working Group: Stakeholder Engagement 1. Determine the appropriate framework for your state. 2. Determine the structure of and terminology for the SEL competencies you want to articulate. 3. Identify and articulate overarching SEL goals or competencies. 4. Identify and articulate the sub-goals or strands.* 5. Identify and articulate the developmental benchmarks. 6. Write an introduction to the SEL goals or competencies. 7. Review. 8. Obtain feedback from stakeholders and experts, and then revise. *sub-competencies American Institutes for Research and Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning: “Steps to Developing and Articulating Learning Goals for Competencies for SEL”

Combined SEL Working Group Timeline Action Steps Sept. 2014 Jan. 2016 Feb. 2016 June 2016 July 2016 Aug. 2016 Sept. 2016 Present Initial Working Group Reviewed research Examined current requirements Evaluated SEL in other states Drafted NJ SEL Competencies Combined SEL Working Group Provided additional feedback Plan to support development of supplementary resources NJDOE Obtaining feedback from experts and stakeholders Preparing resources to support dissemination of competencies Subcommittees Researched evidence-based practices Drafted indicators, teacher strategies, and resources to support competencies Review Teams Utilized a rubric to evaluate draft NJ SEL Competencies

Key Decisions Develop SEL competencies rather than SEL standards SEL Working Group Key Decisions Develop SEL competencies rather than SEL standards Competencies must demonstrate developmental progression Teachers should be provided with strategies they can utilize to support the development of each competency SEL should be implemented across the curriculum at all grade levels Schools must be provided with user-friendly resources to support implementation

SEL Competencies NJ SEL Competencies © Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning

SEL Sub-Competencies NJ SEL Competencies Manage emotions, thoughts & behaviors Establish & achieve goals Persevere to overcome obstacles

SEL Sub-Competencies NJ SEL Competencies Identify feelings & thoughts Recognize impact of feelings & thoughts Recognize traits, strengths & limitations Demonstrate self-confidence in handling daily tasks & challenges

SEL Sub-Competencies NJ SEL Competencies Identify thoughts, feelings & perspectives of others Demonstrate awareness of other’s cultural backgrounds & respect for differences between individuals & groups Understand social & ethical norms in order to interact effectively

SEL Sub-Competencies NJ SEL Competencies Establish & maintain healthy relationships Utilize positive communication & social skills to interact effectively with others Identify ways to resist inappropriate social pressure Prevent & resolve conflicts Know how to seek help for self & others

SEL Sub-Competencies NJ SEL Competencies Develop effective problem-solving skills Identify consequences associated with one’s actions Evaluate personal, ethical, safety & civic impact of decisions

NJ SEL Competencies

Next Steps for SEL in NJ Schools Future Actions Next Steps for SEL in NJ Schools Public comment and review of NJ SEL Competencies Resolution to support and encourage school district implementation Development of additional resources to support SEL: Indicators for all competencies Strategies for teachers Toolkits by subject areas Regular updating of the NJDOE SEL website

NJDOE Resources NJDOE Resources on SEL http://www.nj.gov/education/students/safety/sandp/sel