New Release: Case Study Compilation

In our work with K-12 school and district partners across the country, we have the privilege of learning from and with a variety of dedicated educators who prioritize social-emotional learning in unique ways that are responsive to the communities they serve. We’ve worked with elementary, middle and high schools, as well as bigger districts and smaller districts. Here is what we have learned: There is no ‘best’ way to integrate social-emotional learning (SEL) in the classroom. There is no ‘one’ way to embed SEL into school policies, routines, and structures.

Our learnings from these varied partnerships have informed the creation of our SEL Integration Approach, an evidence-based and pedagogically-aligned framework which outlines five components critical to integrated social, emotional, and academic learning. It helps educators answer the question, “How can we take an intentional approach, aligned with best practices in pedagogy, to helping students develop their social-emotional skills and mindsets?” The SEL Integration Approach is accompanied by a variety of supplemental resources, such as our Companion Guides, Educator Self-Reflection Tool, School Leader Self-Reflection Tool, and finally, Case Study Compilation. All of these tools are intended to support school-based staff as they identify opportunities to be more intentional about SEL.

Our new Case Study Compilation provides concrete examples of what SEL integration can look like in a variety of classrooms, across grade levels and content areas. The case studies, based on real-life examples submitted by classroom teachers, school leaders, and district administrators, are authentic snapshots of practice.

We encourage you to share all of the SEL Integration Approach tools with your friends and colleagues in order to collectively deepen understanding and practice of SEL Integration. While spreading the word, don’t forget to tag us on social media and use the hashtag #SELIntegrationApproach.

(The Rennie Center, September 2020)
The Rennie Center put together a checklist you can use to communicate with your school about important aspects of your child’s learning and development. The checklist focuses on three key areas: developing strong relationships, providing effective instruction, and making sure students have access to technology and are able to use it. This checklist is a free tool for parents and is available in English and Spanish.

(Hamilton, L.S. & Doss, C.J., RAND, 10/13/20)
RAND researchers present results from a spring 2019 survey of a nationally representative sample of K–12 public school teachers about their approaches to supporting students’ SEL and the factors that might influence those approaches. The findings shed light on how SEL practices and supports can depend on the population of students that a school serves and explore how multiple aspects of teacher well-being are related to SEL practices.

(Mindset Scholars Network, October 2020)
This compendium of studies provides researchers with an overview of survey measurement of learning mindsets – which include growth mindset, belonging, and purpose and relevance – in educational settings. It is a curated collection of empirical studies that include at least one survey measure of a learning mindset. The compendium is organized into three subsections of studies that correspond with the learning mindsets listed above. Information about each study and survey is included, such as (where available) geographic location of data collection, sample demographics, illustrative survey items, and response scales.