September 23, 2022

There are some helpful takeaways from a report from the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) on 10 years of systemic social and emotional learning implementation in urban settings. Keep reading to learn about these findings and Y4Y resources that can help guide social and emotional learning in your supportive 21^st CCLC program now and in future program years. 

Prioritizing social-emotional learning (SEL) is key to building a joyful, resilient program environment. That’s because SEL skills help us identify and manage our emotions, express empathy, form meaningful relationships, and cope with stress. When we prioritize social-emotional well-being for both educators and students, we can foster a culture in which everyone is better equipped to reach their full potential. 

Building a Network of Support

As students return to school this fall, the social and emotional aspects are just as important as gathering school supplies, meeting the new teacher(s), and finding out what’s being offered for lunch. More than ever, SEL is a key ingredient in addressing the top concerns for schools and out-of-school time (OST) programs. That includes physical wellness, mental wellness, emotional well-being, and academic recovery. OST programs have a key role to play in this effort. As your program partners with schools and families, you can strengthen relationships and provide a network of support that includes trusted adults and enriching experiences.

These three Y4Y tools can help you shape the priorities of your group effort in implementing social-emotional programming:

• Introduction to Social and Emotional Learning
• Integrating Social and Emotional Learning
• Mapping Assets for Social and Emotional Learning

Providing Comprehensive Support for Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

The CASEL report mentioned above involved large, complex school systems in the country. Not only did these districts demonstrate it was possible to implement SEL systemically, but every district deepened and expanded SEL implementation from school to OST programs and families. CASEL identified four key elements that are necessary to comprehensively support quality SEL implementation throughout the system:

• Building foundational support and plan
• Strengthening adult SEL competencies and capacity
• Promoting SEL for students
• Reflecting on data for continuous improvement

The researchers examined how the districts they studied equipped themselves to sustain a commitment to SEL over the long term, even as the people and contexts within the district changed. CASEL identified six elements for sustaining SEL:

• Leaders model, cultivate, and elevate a shared vision for SEL.
• Core district priorities connect SEL to all departments and individuals, so everyone is invested.
• Schools have resources and pathways to guide SEL implementation, as well as room to innovate and customize SEL for their communities.
• SEL informs and shapes adult learning and staff culture and climate.
• Students, families, and communities are co-creators of the SEL vision, plans, and practices.
• External and internal communities of practice strengthen implementation.

These findings align with advice from Dr. Dave Pauneski, a senior behavioral scientist at Stanford University: “If we really want all students to leave school having developed certain academic, social, personal, and cultural capacities, we need to think really carefully about whether we as educators are creating the types of experiences that we know from research will help develop those capacities.”

Y4Y Resources Supporting SEL

These additional Y4Y resources can also support your efforts:

• Creating a Positive Learning Environment (Course)
• Drug and Alcohol Prevention Resources (Web page with links)
• Embedding Measurable Social and Emotional Learning in College and Career Readiness (Voices From the Field Interview/Podcast)
• Health and Wellness: Partnering With the School Day (Click & Go)
• Stages of Child and Adolescent Development (Course)
• Trauma-Informed Care (Click & Go)