Building a Shared Vision for SEL Measurement into the Future

• In Event: Social Emotional Learning and Soft Skills Measurement: Where We Are, and Where We Want to be

Proposal

The SEL Measurement Taskforce is in the process of developing a joint vision for SEL measurement and mapping out contributions towards and gaps around that vision. Taskforce members represent over thirty institutions involved in SEL and include donors, implementing partners, academic institutions, and key networks of practitioners. This presentation provides a global perspective of the opportunities and challenges inherent to measuring the acquisition of foundational SEL skills. In addition to regular meetings with Taskforce membership, three participatory activities inform the findings central to the presentation:

1) A facilitated visioning exercise: This participatory exercise asked Taskforce members to reflect upon the current state of SEL measurement through a guided discussion on existing evidence and measurement initiatives. Next, Taskforce members discussed the concept of SEL and through a facilitated process, articulated the lofty goal that they hope to achieve for SEL measurement. Discussions went beyond tools to explore stakeholder needs, key concepts, and approaches. Facilitation ensured the incorporation of an equity and inclusion lens throughout the session. Facilitators also paid attention to previous achievements made as well as persistent gaps and obstacles towards that may threaten attainment of the SEL measurement vision.

2) Membership survey: Following the participatory group visioning activity, members responded individually to an Internet-based survey. This asynchronous strategy allowed for deeper reflection and provided an opportunity to identify other SEL measurement initiatives that have not been included within the original visioning exercise. Specific emphasis has been placed on identifying initiatives from the Global South. Survey responses also permitted the identification of promising practices.

3) Mapping exercise: This third participatory exercise, a mapping activity, allowed the SEL Measurement Taskforce to engage in further reflection that built from the shared vision as well as key findings from the membership survey. Looking to the future, Taskforce members took advantage of this activity to reflect upon their own work and to even more compellingly, identify steps they will take towards the shared vision. The mapping refined the shared vision as well as articulated gaps and obstacles that may hinder its achievement. In this way, the mapping serves as a real-time theory of change.

Findings from these three exercises combine to offer a way forward for SEL measurement, admittedly a constant work in progress. The results may ultimately contribute to enhancing SEL skills among learners, especially those who are most vulnerable, in order to improve learning experiences and outcomes and make education more equitable.

Author

• Karla Giuliano Sarr, EnCompass LLC