Social and Emotional Learning: Educating Hearts and Minds Created by Veronica Rodriguez “The virtues of men are of more consequence to society than their abilities; and for this reason, the heart should be cultivated with more assiduity than the head.” Noah Webster, 1788.

What is Social Emotional Learning? SEL is the process whereby children and adults develop essential social and emotional competencies to: Recognize and manage emotions Handle oneself and tasks effectively Develop care and concern for others Establish positive relationships Make responsible decisions

5 Core SEL Competencies Casel.org Self-Awareness Identifying emotions Accurate self-perception Recognizing strengths Self-confidence Self-efficacy Self-Management Impulse control Stress management Self-discipline Self-motivation Goal-setting Organizational skills Social Awareness Perspective-taking Empathy Appreciating diversity Respect for others Responsible Decision-Making Identifying problems Analyzing situations Solving problems Evaluating Reflecting Ethical responsibility Relationship Skills Communication Social engagement Relationship-building Teamwork Casel.org

What Does a SEL Classroom Look Like? Social and Emotional Conditions for Learning Safe & well-managed environment Respectful & supportive relationships High expectations and challenging Participation and leadership opportunities Rigorous, relevant curriculum and engaging instructional practices

Integrated Schoolwide SEL What Does a SEL School Look Like? Planned, systematic classroom-based SEL instruction and a supportive school climate School-Family-Community partnerships to enhance social, emotional, and academic competence After-school and community activities that are coordinated with SEL efforts Coordinated mental health and health services that reinforce SEL instruction Integrated Schoolwide SEL To do SEL well, we need to integrate our efforts to promote the social, emotional and academic achievement of all students by coordinating all the school’s activities, including classroom instruction, mental health services, out-of-school programs and partnerships with family and community

Why Implement SEL? Relationships provide a foundation for learning Emotions affect how and what we learn Relevant skills can be taught Positive effects on academic performance, health, relationships, and citizenship Demanded by employers Essential for lifelong success A coordinating framework to overcome fragmentation of prevention and youth- development programs

Research on SEL Improvements In: Attitudes Behaviors Performance Motivation, commitment Behaviors Participation, study habits Performance Grades, subject mastery Source: Zins, Weissberg, Wang, & Walberg (2004). Building Academic Success on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL): What Does the Research Say? Attitudes (motivation, commitment): Stronger sense of community Higher academic motivation and educational aspirations Better understanding of consequences of behavior Better ability to cope with school stressors More positive attitudes toward school and learning Behaviors (participation, study habits): Participate in class more Demonstrate more pro-social behavior Have fewer absences and improved attendance Show reductions in aggression and disruptions Are on track to graduate and are less likely to drop out Are more likely to work out their own way of learning Performance (grades, subject mastery): Improved math, literacy, and social studies skills Higher achievement test scores and grades and no decreases in standardized test scores Improved learning-to-learn skills Better problem solving and planning ability Use of higher level reasoning strategies Improvements in reading comprehension SEL addresses the affective and social dimensions of learning Emotions affect what and how we learn Learning is a social process

Research on SEL/Student Success Increased Academic Outcomes Documented: Social-emotional skills led to improved attitudes about self, others, and school and an 11% point gain on standardized achievement tests. Reduced Risk of Failure Documented: Social Emotional Skills led to decrease in conduct issues and emotional distress. Source: Durlak, J.A., Weissberg, R.P., Dymnicki, A.B., Taylor, R.D., & Schellinger, K. (2011) The impact of enhancing students’ social and emotional learning: A meta-analysis of school-based universal interventions. Child Development: 82 (1), 405-432.

Adult Learning and SEL Adults who have the ability to recognize, understand, label, express, and regulate emotions are more likely to demonstrate patience and empathy, encourage healthy communication, and create safe learning environments. (Brackett, Katella, Kremenitzer, Alster, and Caruso, 2008) Teachers skilled at regulating their emotions report less burnout and more positive affect while teaching. (Brackett, Mojsa, Palomera, Reyes, & Salovey, 2008) School leaders with strong SEL competencies build and maintain positive and trusting relationships among members of the school community. (Patti and Tobin, 2006)

Positive Outcomes for Students Academically successful Mentally and physically healthy Positive social relationships Prepared to join the workforce Engaged citizenship

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Resources Harvard EASEL Lab – Ecological Approaches to Social Emotional Learning https://easel.gse.harvard.edu/secure CASEL – Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning http://www.casel.org/