District Leadership for Systemic Social and Emotional Learning

• In Event: Multiple Perspectives on a Collaborative Initiative to Promote Systemic Social and Emotional Learning in School Districts

Abstract

While school reform often ignores social emotional learning (SEL), research suggests that SEL improves achievement, behavior, and life success. This is important for urban schools, where failure to teach SEL skills and create positive learning environments negatively affects learning. In this presentation senior leaders from Anchorage, Austin, and Cleveland will describe why and how their districts are collaborating to implement evidence-based programming to promote SEL.
The presentation will describe how districts have selected and implemented evidence-based SEL programs, integrated SEL with academic instruction, and coordinated SEL programming with existing student support initiatives. The will also share strategies for monitoring and improving SEL programming and providing professional development for school leaders and practitioners. Each leader will present his/her district's long-term plan for expanding systemic SEL and address how input from consultants, data provided by research partners, and perspectives from other district leaders have influenced the evolution of SEL in their district. FInally, presenters will share their perspectives on critical factors for success of systemic SEL in school districts.

Authors

• Ramona S. Trevino, Austin Independent School District

• Carol S. Comeau, Anchorage School District

• Eric S. Gordon, Cleveland Metropolitan School District