Social and emotional learning (SEL) is a powerful approach to education that equips students with the skills they need to thrive in school, life, and their communities. It goes beyond academics, focusing on the development of essential social-emotional competencies.

SEL helps students develop a strong foundation in five key areas:

• Self-Awareness: Understanding their emotions, strengths, and weaknesses.
• Self-Management: Regulating emotions, setting goals, and managing stress.
• Social Awareness: Empathizing with others, understanding social cues, and appreciating diversity.
• Relationship Skills: Communicating effectively, building healthy relationships, and resolving conflict peacefully.
• Responsible Decision-Making: Making thoughtful choices that consider the impact on themselves and others.

By integrating SEL into the school environment, students learn to:

• Manage emotions constructively
• Build strong relationships with peers and adults
• Set and achieve goals
• Resolve conflicts peacefully
• Make responsible decisions
• Thrive in a diverse and changing world

Video

What is Social and Emotional Learning? (3:22)

Overview Course

An Introduction to Social and Emotional Learning

This one-hour self-guided course builds your capacity in SEL while providing application activities.

Presentations

Introduction to Social and Emotional Learning

This slide deck introduces SEL to school communities and includes the "what", "why", and "how" of SEL.

Videos

​​​​What is Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)? (3:23)

Self-Awareness Competency (4:10)

Self-Management Competency (4:32)

Social Awareness Competency (4:00)

Social Awareness in Students' Words (2:25, from Transforming Education)

Relationship Skills (3:36)

Responsible Decision-Making (3:54)

Equity is fundamental to effective SEL. It ensures that all students, regardless of their background, have equal access to and benefit from SEL programs and practices. Here's how equity plays a crucial role:

• Addressing Disparities: SEL can help identify and address the unique social-emotional challenges faced by different student groups, such as students of color, students from low-income families, or students with disabilities.
• Culturally Responsive SEL: It's essential to tailor SEL programs to the cultural backgrounds and experiences of students. This includes using culturally relevant materials and teaching strategies.
• Inclusive SEL: SEL should be accessible to all students, including those with special needs. Accommodations and modifications may be necessary to ensure full participation.
• Building Relationships: SEL fosters strong relationships between students and adults, which is essential for creating a sense of belonging and trust, especially for marginalized students.
• Empowering Students: SEL empowers students to develop the skills and confidence to advocate for themselves and their peers, leading to more equitable school environments.
• Addressing Systemic Issues: SEL can help students understand and address systemic issues that contribute to inequity, such as racism, poverty, and discrimination.

By prioritizing equity, schools can create SEL programs that not only develop students' social-emotional skills but also contribute to a more just and inclusive learning environment for all.

Resources

Pursuing SEL Through a Racial ​Equity Lens: A Call to Action​

This 2018 writing from the Aspen Institute examines the benefits of pursuing equity in SEL and academic development.

Readings

Equity and SEL

Toward Transformative Social and Emotional Learning: Using an Equity Lens (Summary Brief)

Intersection of Developmental Relationships, Equitable Environments, and SEL

The Readiness Projects' Definition of Robust Equity

Edutopia Article, "7 Steps Toward Building an Equitable School Culture"

Spotlighting Transformative SEL in Action

Identity, Agency, and Belonging as Expressions of SEL

Videos

This is Equity (Alliance for Continuous Improvement; 6:45) Featuring the voices of young people in California, this video frames problems of inequity and structural racism, the importance of listening to students to learn what they need to succeed, and the connection between educational equity and a sense of belonging in school.

Transformative SEL (T-SEL) builds upon the foundation of SEL by taking a critical social justice lens. It empowers students to not only develop their own social and emotional skills but also to understand and challenge social inequities.

T-SEL consists of equity elaborations in five key areas:

• Identity
• Agency
• Belonging
• Collaborative Problem-Solving
• Curiosity

These equity elaborations aid students in critical consciousness by teaching them to examine power structures, stereotypes, and biases. Students learn social advocacy skills that may give them the courage to speak up and speak out against injustices. Through collaborative problem-solving solving, they will learn to work together to create positive change in their communities and the world around them.  T-SEL equips students to become successful learners and empathetic and engaged citizens who can work towards a more just and equitable society.

Benefits of SEL and T-SEL for Schools:

• Improved academic performance
• Reduced disciplinary problems
• Increased student engagement
• Fostering a more positive and inclusive school climate
• Equipping students for success in life beyond school

Readings

Transformative Social-Emotional Learning (CASEL)

Resources

Kindergarten–Adult Transformative SEL Competencies (CDE)

Transformative Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Competencies describe the knowledge, skills, dispositions, and capacities that children and young people can develop when the conditions are supportive to their healthy, whole development.

Transformative SEL Conditions for Thriving (CDE)

The Conditions for Thriving provide recommended practices and actions that adults across the education system can use to co-create conditions that support T-SEL development.

T-SEL Readiness and Reflection Prompts (CDE)

The prompts can be used to assess readiness to use the SEL Competencies and Conditions for Thriving as first steps for integrating the tools into educator and leader planning and practice.

SEL isn't just for students! By fostering self-awareness, stress management, and healthy communication skills, SEL programs can significantly benefit school staff. This translates to a more supportive and collaborative work environment, reduced burnout, and ultimately, increased staff well-being, allowing educators to bring their best selves to their students each day.

LACOE Professional Development Offering

Heart in Mind Adult SEL Community of Practice

This 8-week adult SEL community of practice is designed to help you develop practical SEL skills for personal and professional use. It includes online modules, weekly engagement, and tools for hands-on application. It is co-facilitated by the LACOE SEL team and Dr. Lorea Martinez-Perez, author of the book Teaching With the Heart in Mind.

Prioritizing Educator Wellness: Strategies for Preventing Burnout and Cultivating Self-Care (60-90 minutes)

This training focuses on the importance of educator well-being and provides practical strategies for preventing burnout and mitigating the effects of secondary trauma. Participants will learn about compassion fatigue, recognize the signs of burnout, and develop personalized self-care plans to support their overall mental and emotional health by integrating key adult SEL skills.

Resources/Articles

Well-Being and Social-Emotional Learning Resource Bank

This is a document with many linked resources on SEL and mindfulness resources for adults and educators addressing adult SEL competency, programs, practices, and research by the Yale Center for EQ.

Greater Good in Education (GGIE) Adult Well-Being

This page on the Greater Good in Education website contains practices for cultivating the social, emotional, and ethical well-being of school staff members.

Tools

Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty and Stress

This 10 hour asynchronous course to help school staff better manage their emotions and create supportive learning environments for students.

SEL Self Assessment for Teachers

This tool from CASEL assists adult staff in reflecting on their social and emotional competencies and to identify areas for growth.

12 Strategies for Adult​ SEL Facilitation
From the CASEL District Resource Center, this outlines 12 Tools for Adult SEL that can be used in professional development.

Three Signature SEL Practices  Playbook
This Three Signature SEL Practices Playbook introduces some simple ways to get started with social and emotional learning. It is designed to help users create safe, generous, equity–centered, and productive learning spaces for adults and students.

LACOE Professional Development Offerings

Training Series

Selecting an Evidence-Based Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum

YEAR 1: This two-day series offers a step-by-step approach to review, pilot, and select an evidence-based social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum using data from stakeholders to inform the entire process. Each day includes guided team time to action-plan and includes all tools and resources needed for tasks outside of trainings.

One Hour Virtual Workshops

From Wellness to Well-being: Integrating SEL and Trauma-Responsive Practices Into School Wellspaces/Wellness Centers (60 minutes)

This training equips educators with the knowledge and skills to transform school wellspaces into trauma-informed spaces that promote healing and resilience. Participants will learn how to integrate SEL to support all students, with a focus on those who have experienced trauma. The training will cover practical strategies for implementing SEL activities, building relationships, and addressing student needs within the wellness center.

Resources: Explicit Instruction

SEL Three Signature Practices Playbook​​

These evidence-based practices are detailed for users to integrate into their daily classroom routines or to use when working with adults to build their SEL competence, too. ​

CASEL’s SEL Program Guide

The adoption of evidence-based programs is key to providing consistent, high-quality SEL opportunities for all students (pre-kindergarten through high school).

Guide of 25 SEL Programs

This 2017 guide from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Wallace Foundation reviews 25 SEL programs.

SEL Integration Matrix

A matrix adapted from CASEL identifies how to integrate the five SEL competencies into school-wide, classroom-wide, individual supports.

Resources: Integrated SEL

Teaching Activities for Supporting SEL Competencies

This 2017 document from CASEL supports practitioners in identifying and incorporating the most common strategies used for SEL.

Greater Good in Education (GGIE) Student Well-Being

The Greater Good in Education website contains practices for cultivating the social, emotional, and ethical well-being of school students.

Mental Health

Kooth Free Mental Health Services for Schools

Kooth empowers schools to address mental health needs of students.

Funding

Supporting SEL with Evidence-based Programs

A 2018 resource from the Annie E. Casey Foundation describes strategies educational leaders and partners have successfully used to fund and sustain SEL program implementation. ​

Resources/Articles

Bright Life Kids Mental Health Coaching & Resources for Parents with Kids

Personalized support for California families. Kids ages 0–12 get free, expert coaching for sleep issues, worry, social skills, and more. Live, 1:1 video sessions, secure chat, on-demand content, and more.

Soluna Mental Health Coaching & Resources for Teens and Young Adults

Teens and Young Adults (ages 13-25) can connect with a trained Soluna Coach. Whether you're looking to talk right now or want to schedule ahead, coaches are available for support. No insurance needed, no session limits, and absolutely free.

SEL Parent Resources

Comprehensive website from Tustin Unified School District to support SEL at home.

CASEL’s Parent Information Page

Explains the fundamentals of SEL for parents and resources by grade level.

Parenting Montana: Tools for Your Child’s Success

Website with easy-to-use tools to help support your child’s success from birth through the teen years in an ever changing environment. Topics include: anger, bullying, confidence, discipline, friends, listening, stress, chores, conflict, homework, peer pressure, and more.

Social Skills Parenting Guides

Videos and articles for parents to support their children PreK-adulthood from NBC.

Resources/Articles

Analysis: Social-Emotional Learning Is Important. But What Do All Those SEL Terms, Concepts & Ideas Actually Mean for the Classroom? New Online Tool Helps Sort Them Out

Explore SEL

Researchers, educators, employers, and parents agree that social and emotional learning (SEL) and non-academic skills matter for success in school and life, but it can be difficult to decide which skills to focus on – let alone how best to promote and measure them.

Prepare Your School for Systemic SEL Implementation

Why the Assessment?

The assessment can help SEL teams (or school-based leadership teams) determine where the school is in terms of SEL implementation and identify next steps.

How does it work?

At the beginning of the scoring process, each person on the team completes the SEL School Implementation Assessment PDF individually. The team then decides a score collectively for each item using a consensus-building process that encourages equity of voice.

What is the result?

Completing the assessment will help highlight areas of strength and opportunities for growth. These insights will help schools create a customized implementation plan for schoolwide SEL.

Goals

The goal is to support schools as they begin to develop plans for integrating SEL on their campus as a means of supporting CA MTSS, positive school culture, and equitable environments for all students.  Here are some logistics to help you make the most of your time together.

How to Facilitate

SEL Implementation Assessment

Read through this one-page document that walks you and your team through the process of facilitating the assessment.

Slide Deck

If you would like to complete this assessment independently as a school team, please follow along with the slide deck here:  

Slide Deck

LACOE Professional Development Offering

Training Series

Social-Emotional Learning: Laying the Groundwork for Year 1 and Beyond

YEAR 1: This three-day training series offers teams a step-by-step approach to successfully integrating Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into their schools, from building a strong foundation to creating sustainable systems for long-term success. Each day is designed to provide practical, hands-on strategies that ensure SEL is effectively implemented and supported by the entire school community. By the end of the series, teams will be equipped with a comprehensive action plan and the skills to lead a successful SEL implementation that supports students, staff, and school community.

District Resources/Articles

American Institutes for Research (AIR) on SEL

This robust website provides briefs, toolkits, reports, and research on many aspects of SEL implementation.

District Tools

CASEL District Resource Center

This is the premier one-stop for school/district systematic implementation of SEL.  The district assessment questionnaire is organized around their 10-element framework lots of support information on processes, practices, artifacts and exemplars.

District SEL Implementation Rubric

This rubric comes from the CASEL District Resource Center. It assists district leaders in reflecting on the activities, practices, and processes for SEL through a framework and using CDI Theory of Action.

Districtwide SEL Essentials ​for Superintendents

A succinct​ and comprehensive guide based on the work and research of CASEL in school districts across the country.​

School Tools

CASEL School Guide Essentials​

This guide pulls from the vast website of the CASEL school guide and has the very essential tools and templates for systemically planning and implementing school wide SEL.

School SEL Implementation Rubric

This rubric comes from the CASEL Schoolwide SEL essentials. It assists school teams in reflecting on the activities, practices, and processes for SEL through an implementation framework.

Guidance

SEL MTSS Toolkit

Measurement Tools

CASEL Online SEL Assessment Guide (new)

The Assessment Guide provides several resources for practitioners to select and use measures of student SEL, including guidance on how to select an assessment and use student SEL data, a catalog of SEL assessments equipped with filters and bookmarking, and real-world accounts of how practitioners are using SEL assessments. Users must register to access it.

The RAND Assessment Finder

Web-based tool that provides information about assessments of K-12 students' interpersonal, intrapersonal, and higher-order cognitive competencies.

Statewide SEL Organizations

SEL4CA
Visit sel4ca.org​ to learn more about bringing culturally responsive social emotional learning and its impact to California schools and communities.

Greater Good in Education California 
SEL Modules

Each module topic provides context, facilitation tips, activities for individuals or groups, and additional resources for deeper learning. Module topics are free to any California educator who registers for a free account: https://ggie.berkeley.edu/register/?role=ca_sel.

Once registered, you should be able to see the "California Social-Emotional Learning" drop-down in the gray banner in the upper right-hand corner. (See below)

CalHOPE SEL Learning Hub
Free SEL resources for California educators made possible by the Department of Healthcare Services through CalHOPE funding.

California Educators Together Website
California Educators Together is designed to provide educators, administrators, specialists, and state program leads a common space to communicate, share strategies, and access resources. Join by creating a free account to add/share your own resources, create your own collections, create/share your own lesson plans, or start your own group as you collaborate with peers across the state.

Resources/Articles

California's Social and Emotional Learning Guiding Principles - one-page summary​​
One-page summary of the five California guidelines for social and emotional learning​.

Social and Emotional Learning in California:  A Guide to Resources

TRAINING SERIES

Adult SEL

Heart in Mind Adult SEL Community of Practice

This 8-week adult SEL community of practice is designed to help you develop practical SEL skills for personal and professional use. It includes online modules, weekly engagement, and tools for hands-on application. It is co-facilitated by the LACOE SEL team and Dr. Lorea Martinez-Perez, author of the book Teaching With the Heart in Mind.

School/District Implementation

Social-Emotional Learning: Laying the Groundwork for Year 1 and Beyond

YEAR 1: This three-day training series offers teams a step-by-step approach to successfully integrating Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) into their schools, from building a strong foundation to creating sustainable systems for long-term success. Each day is designed to provide practical, hands-on strategies that ensure SEL is effectively implemented and supported by the entire school community. By the end of the series, teams will be equipped with a comprehensive action plan and the skills to lead a successful SEL implementation that supports students, staff, and school community.

Student Explicit Instruction (Curriculum)

Selecting an Evidence-Based Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum

YEAR 1: This two-day series offers a step-by-step approach to review, pilot, and select an evidence-based social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum using data from stakeholders to inform the entire process. Each day includes guided team time to action-plan and includes all tools and resources needed for tasks outside of trainings.