Most educators believe that social and emotional learning (SEL) skills are a fundamental part of good teaching and learning. Long before the pandemic, surveys showed that teachers believed these skills were essential for students to learn at school, and research confirmed that they are linked with measures of academic success. Educators need…

The COVID-19 pandemic required that nearly all P-20 teaching and learning move quickly to virtual formats. In many cases, educators were teaching exclusively online for the first time in their careers. Schools suddenly needed to train and support all educators on how to teach, engage students, and support families from a distance. This created an…

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased already-high stress and anxiety levels among students. In addition to the health dangers of the virus, and the sense of worry and hopelessness some families are experiencing due to job losses, school closures have caused many students to lose a source of stability and support. All plans to support students, both…

As research on the benefits of social and emotional learning (SEL) continues to grow, schools across the country are using formal SEL curricula to boost students' skills. Such curricula have benefits for students' social, emotional, behavioral, and academic outcomes, and the effects can last for up to three years post-intervention. Yet, as with…

For emergent bilingual students to thrive, schools need a culture of valuing bilingualism, supported by strong and committed leaders. From 2015 to 2017, the authors convened a professional learning community of 14 emergent bilingual leaders from around the U.S. They defined emergent bilingual leaders as leaders at all levels who support…

Meria Carstarphen, superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, has nearly 20 years of experience in educational leadership, primarily in urban school districts. Her previous roles included superintendent in Austin, Texas, from 2009 to 2014 and administrator in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the District of Columbia. She serves as a commissioner and…

Racial inequity is a pernicious problem in American schools. Discrepancies in school discipline show that black students are two to three times more likely than their peers to be suspended and expelled, even for similar infractions. This directly affects the racial achievement gap, school dropout, and involvement in the juvenile justice system.…

The Anchorage (Alaska) School District has been committed to social and emotional learning (SEL) for the last 30 years. The district achieves SEL in three ways: (1) Climate: Creating a safe andrespectful learning environment; (2) Direct instruction: Using a variety of programs to deliberately teach the SEL skills students need to be successful…

Many teachers and administrators recognize the importance of social and emotional development for student success but do not feel that they have the time or tools to support social and emotional learning (SEL). The American Institutes for Research developed the "Social and Emotional Learning Coaching Toolkit: Keeping SEL at the Center"…

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is critical to the success of students of all ages--and for educators across all stages of the career continuum. Because SEL skills take time to develop and mature, they should be part of the content addressed in teacher preparation programs, beginning teacher support, and ongoing teacher professional learning.…

AppleTree Institute for Education Innovation, a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C., is working to close the achievement gap before children enter kindergarten by providing 3- and 4-year-olds with the social, emotional, and academic foundations that enable them to thrive in school--and increasing educator effectiveness is a critical…