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Social Emotional Learning

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

Social and Emotional Learning, as defined by CASEL, is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions (CASEL, 2018). By providing both implicit and explicit instruction of academic, social, and emotional skills, SCPS is preparing students to become resourceful and resilient lifelong learners and leaders. These skills will support students in becoming college and career-ready upon graduation. Research has shown that students who engage in social-emotional learning:

  • Show as much as an 11-percentile academic gain (Taylor, Oberle, Durlak & Weissberg, 2017)

  • Show a decrease in problem behaviors (Durlak, Weissberg, Dymnicki, Taylor, & Schellinger, 2011)

  • Show an increase in prosocial behavior (Durlak, Weissberg, Dymnicki, Taylor, & Schellinger, 2011)

  • Display positive attitudes toward self, others, and school (Durlak, Weissberg, Dymnicki, Taylor, & Schellinger, 2011)

  • Reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety in the short term (Clarke et al., 2021)

  • Improve lifetime outcomes such as reducing any involvement with the police before adulthood, preventing time spent in a detention facility, reducing the likelihood of receiving public assistance, and living or being on a waitlist for public housing (American Journal of Public Health, 2015).

  • Benefits last up to 18 years after exposure (Taylor, Oberle, Durlak & Weissberg, 2017)

Vision Statement

SCPS will provide conditions in which students engage in learning and practicing academic, social, and emotional skills that will support them in becoming resourceful and resilient life long learners and leaders.

Mission Statement

SCPS will provide implicit and explicit instruction of academic, social, and emotional skills to cultivate an environment in which student resilience and success is increased and students develop the skills to engage as leaders in their schools and communities.

For more information on SEL, visit casel.org.