Under Construction: Building a District-wide SEL Program
Summary
While engaging in interactive SEL practices, participants will explore the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) approach St. Lucie Public Schools is taking to establish effective SEL programs district-wide. Implementation emphasizes three prongs of explicit instruction, academic integration and infusion into school climate and culture. The program is monitored using several data points including student SEL assessments, climate surveys, discipline, attendance and classroom observations.
The district’s SEL Department identified evidence based SEL curriculum, resources and strategies for each tier. The core curriculum used in Tier One were chosen using the guidance of CASEL SELect criteria with the goal to explicitly teach CASEL’s five SEL competencies to all students in preschool through high school. Circle practice and shared agreements are also a Tier One expectation district wide. Professional development has been key to establishing Tier One, as well as, in-class supports, modeling, and classroom walkthroughs with school teams paired with follow-up feedback sessions
In addition, Tier 2 and 3 evidence-based programs, resources and strategies have been selected to provide small group and individual interventions. School-based MTSS teams are able to target students in need of interventions by using the SEL assessment data regarding students’ social awareness and emotional regulation skills. Teams also consider students’ academic, discipline and attendance data when determining a need for intervention.
Infusion of SEL into the school culture is fundamental to a systemic program. Our focus for building capacity focuses on two structures. Each school has an SEL Liaison. The liaison receives specialized professional development and supports from the district SEL Team. This individual receives supplemental pay to support the SEL infusion at their school. In addition, each school has an SEL Team. Team members must include at least one administrator, the SEL School Liaison and a district SEL Team member. The role of the team is to develop, implement and monitor a data driven SEL Action Plan addressing the needs at their school.
Under Construction: Building a District-wide SEL Program
While engaging in interactive SEL practices, participants will explore the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) approach St. Lucie Public Schools is taking to establish effective SEL programs district-wide. Implementation emphasizes three prongs of explicit instruction, academic integration and infusion into school climate and culture. The program is monitored using several data points including student SEL assessments, climate surveys, discipline, attendance and classroom observations.
The district’s SEL Department identified evidence based SEL curriculum, resources and strategies for each tier. The core curriculum used in Tier One were chosen using the guidance of CASEL SELect criteria with the goal to explicitly teach CASEL’s five SEL competencies to all students in preschool through high school. Circle practice and shared agreements are also a Tier One expectation district wide. Professional development has been key to establishing Tier One, as well as, in-class supports, modeling, and classroom walkthroughs with school teams paired with follow-up feedback sessions
In addition, Tier 2 and 3 evidence-based programs, resources and strategies have been selected to provide small group and individual interventions. School-based MTSS teams are able to target students in need of interventions by using the SEL assessment data regarding students’ social awareness and emotional regulation skills. Teams also consider students’ academic, discipline and attendance data when determining a need for intervention.
Infusion of SEL into the school culture is fundamental to a systemic program. Our focus for building capacity focuses on two structures. Each school has an SEL Liaison. The liaison receives specialized professional development and supports from the district SEL Team. This individual receives supplemental pay to support the SEL infusion at their school. In addition, each school has an SEL Team. Team members must include at least one administrator, the SEL School Liaison and a district SEL Team member. The role of the team is to develop, implement and monitor a data driven SEL Action Plan addressing the needs at their school.
