Classroom Climate

Social-Emotional Learning Program Study: Tools for Getting Along

Authors : Jennifer Nakamura , Carl Sumi , Michelle Woodbridge

After a turbulent 2020-2021 school year, it is more important than ever that educators have feasible and effective options to support students’ foundational social-emotional skills. Prior studies have found that students who participate in social-emotional learning (SEL) programs improve their behavioral and academic functioning and reduce their challenging behaviors.1 When selecting an SEL program, educators … Continue reading Social-Emotional Learning Program Study: Tools for Getting Along

Toolkit for talking about racism and police violence with students

Authors : Elaine Mulligan

What strategies can educators use to facilitate safe and meaningful discussions on race, racial (in)justice and racism? This toolkit from Learning for Justice (formerly Teaching Tolerance) offers specific strategies, as well as tips for managing student responses, in order to create a safe environment for difficult conversations. https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/spring-2015/toolkit-for-talking-about-racism-and-police-violence-with-students

Ways that schools can support students dealing with trauma

Authors : Elaine Mulligan

In a new blog post for The DC Policy Center, our researcher Yunsoo Park describes the impacts of community violence on students in Washington, DC and offers strategies for schools, plus links to helpful resources. Read When students don’t feel safe in the neighborhood: How can schools help?

Incorporating social-emotional learning (SEL) into everyday academic instruction: How do I do it?

Authors : Jennifer Nakamura , Yunsoo Park

Although most teachers recognize the importance of teaching social-emotional skills, many are also concerned about having time to fulfill their other responsibilities. Here we highlight one approach to teaching social-emotional skills in the classroom: incorporating social-emotional learning (SEL) into everyday academic instruction.