SEL Playlist Investing

social & emotional learning - InVESTING

Professional Development > Learning Paths > School Mental Health Readiness

The positive impact of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is substantiated by extensive research, demonstrating that an educational framework emphasizing SEL results in favorable outcomes for students, educators, and the wider school community. Numerous independent studies across diverse disciplines confirm that SEL leads to advantageous outcomes in areas such as social and emotional skills, academic achievement, psychological well-being, positive health behaviors, school environment and safety, and long-term life outcomes (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning).

Prioritizing the SEL requirements of educational institutions is crucial for cultivating environments where all students can flourish. The following resources are recommended for schools and districts embarking on the SEL Pillar. Those exploring SEL implementation may find themselves contemplating initial steps. These resources focus on SEL Instruction and Modeling, which are fundamental components of school or district-wide SEL implementation.

Schools or districts are prepared for the “investing” phase of the Social and Emotional Learning Pillar when they have a shared understanding of what SEL means for their unique community and are ready to create systems and structures to embed SEL into the framework of the school culture.

This document includes sample letter and survey items to learn from school staff about their perceptions and experiences of social and emotional learning and implementation support so far.

This course provides an overview of the importance of adult social and emotional learning to student success and well-being in school and life. This course will help you and your school team to:

define adult social and emotional learning (SEL)
describe why adult SEL is critical to educators’ practice
explain the importance of developing adult SEL through an equity lens
apply five specific strategies to enhance your SEL competency.

Some of the most common frameworks for organizing student supports are Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). Adopting schoolwide SEL does not mean that a school must abandon these existing frameworks. Rather, schoolwide SEL offers an opportunity to enhance or refine existing systems of support. This guide from CASEL defines Schoolwide SEL, MTSS, and PBIS, then describes how these frameworks can align with and complement one another.

This 60-minute webinar, recorded on September 27, 2023, offers practical guidance on navigating the Illinois School-Based Medicaid program to enhance student well-being and academic success. Targeted toward district administrators, finance staff, school health service and/or Medicaid program managers, and providers, it covers crucial aspects of Medicaid reimbursements for school-based mental health services. Topics include an overview of School-Based Medicaid, the Illinois State Plan Amendment, recent federal policy updates, and helpful resources. Participants will gain clarity on compliance, documentation, and strategies to secure funding that supports students’ health and learning outcomes.

This course explores the evidence-based Tier 2 trauma interventions Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS) and Bounce Back, helping you determine if they fit your students’ needs. You’ll learn about selection criteria, expectations, and available supports for clinicians who may attend future training in these interventions. The session also covers best practices for forming groups and building readiness for Tier 2 trauma interventions. By reflecting on these strategies, you’ll be equipped to effectively implement trauma-informed practices in your school or district.