As we consider how to help all students achieve, we must ensure our teaching practices are equitable. A sweeping effort is being made to deliver high-quality education to all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, income, disability, or learning style. Social and emotional learning (SEL) can promote equity in schools. SEL professional development for [...]
We sat down with Jennifer Roberts, principal of Essex Elementary, Manchester Essex Regional School District (MA), to talk about the social and emotional learning (SEL) program she began in her school. We were particularly interested in how she was able to engage staff and gain their support for SEL. Robert’s experiences can provide insight and [...]
As the newest member of the Aperture Education team, I was really looking forward to my first client visit when I headed to New York City to attend the Urban Assembly’s SEL Symposium a few weeks ago. Not quite knowing what to expect, I entered the experience with an open mind and a blank [...]
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is a natural part of the learning process: how we feel can affect how we learn, and how we learn can affect how we feel. Social-emotional development has become a priority for many schools and districts. But because the school day is jam-packed with learning requirements, assessments, and instruction, [...]
Research shows that when implemented with fidelity, the Second Step program works. To make sure you’re getting the most out of your Second Step program, you must be able to measure the quality of your implementation and if the SEL program is working. If an intervention isn’t improving student outcomes, it’s important to understand [...]
Social and emotional learning (SEL) shouldn’t stop once school lets out. There are many ways educators can incorporate SEL activities into afterschool and summer learning programs. In fact, because of the structure and close relationships many out-of-school settings provide, these can be ideal places to foster social-emotional skills in students. Below are five ways [...]
Research shows that we all have implicit biases. Neuroscientists have found that our brains tend to quickly categorize others as a way to identify threats. These categorizations are often based on institutional race or gender stereotypes that we have been exposed to from a young age. Different than stereotypes or racism, implicit bias is [...]
Actionable social-emotional data is an important part of any SEL (social and emotional learning) program. Quality, research-based SEL assessments can help you achieve the best implementation results and can help educators streamline instruction, tailor supports to achieve predefined learning goals, and effectively measure outcomes. But not all SEL assessments are created equal. When selecting [...]
