How measuring program curriculum through assessment supports the mental well-being of students Do you ensure your well-being programs take a comprehensive approach to understanding how students feel and act? How do you make sure program elements are not only engaging, but also impactful? Although supporting the mental well-being of students requires a multi-faceted approach, it does not have to be complex. Equip educators with tools that work together seamlessly so that they can help students make meaningful progress in the pursuit of their academic and behavior goals to positively contribute ..read more

Student well-being remains at the top of educators' list of concerns. Yet, many schools that rely solely on climate surveys to inform their social-emotional and behavioral learning programs don't have the information they need. When comparing climate surveys to social-emotional assessments, there are key areas where climate surveys fall short of enabling a whole child system of support. As with academics, focusing on social-emotional skill development standards ensures accountability and helps educators plan, implement, and assess student learning. Before selecting a social-emotional skill mea ..read more

Educators, we know last year was tough. You are truly rock stars for getting your students (and yourselves) through a difficult year. This year will likely bring about new challenges and obstacles, and we know for many stress levels will remain high. When not addressed, stress can lead to harmful health concerns like anxiety and depression, reduced attention, impaired self-regulation, and decreased learning readiness. It can also lead to negative well-being factors, such as sleep and eating disorders. Extended exposure to toxic stress also can have lasting mental and physical health effects. B ..read more

Social and emotional learning (SEL) and Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) go hand in hand. Developing social and emotional skills in youth has shown to be effective at improving academic outcomes for all students – from the valedictorian to the student most at-risk of dropping out. There are many ways SEL can support your school’s MTSS framework. These tips and specific strategies will ensure all students receive the supports they need to achieve success. Tier I (All students) Research consistently shows that all students can benefit from SEL screening and programming ― even stu ..read more

What causes bullying in schools? Research suggests that teens bully when they have insufficient self-confidence, social acceptance, respect, and/or feelings of insecurity. Schools continuously work to reduce bullying, but unfortunately there are no fast or easy solutions. In the spirit of Bullying Prevention Month, learn more about why students resort to bullying and how social-emotional skills can help. What Social-Emotional Skills Can Offer Social-emotional skills can dramatically reduce bullying by teaching the skills, attitudes and behaviors that students who bully are typically deficient ..read more

October is National Bullying Prevention Month and a time to bring awareness to bullying and its harmful effects. Everyone is affected by bullying. Students who bully others are more likely to demonstrate violent or criminal behavior and abuse drugs and alcohol. Victims of bullying can experience depression, loneliness, and anxiety — all of which can last into adulthood. Even students who witness bullying have been shown to suffer higher rates of drug and alcohol use, mental health problems, and school absences. Additionally, bullying negatively affects the academic performance of all students ..read more

Many forms of violence occur in schools every day — school shootings, bullying, gang violence, and fights are all too common. A number of factors contribute to these violent acts, including mental health issues, dysfunctional environments at home or in the community, bullying, or lack of strong social and emotional skills. Our children deserve to be safe at school. The primary responsibility of every district, school, and educator is to ensure students are able to learn in safe and caring environments. To achieve this, experts stress utilizing a multi-faceted approach that includes: Implement ..read more

Five Ways to Involve Community Members in Supporting Student Learning Supporting students and their social, emotional, and academic needs requires an “educational village” and must be a collaborative effort. We tend to focus on the role of schools and families, but community leaders can also do a lot to support student learning, especially during afterschool programs and winter break. There are many ways to involve the community to help promote social-emotional skill development and academic achievement. Here are five ideas to get you started: 1. Afterschool Programs Quality afterschool progra ..read more

There are many benefits of incorporating voice, choice, and social-emotional skill development into the classroom, including improved learning experiences and achievement. It encourages students to engage in their learning and gives them the agency to develop self-regulation and become self-directed learners. Giving students increased autonomy can also help them feel valued and encourage them to realize their interests and potential. Invite students to lead a winter-themed school project. Ask students to pick the topic of a special winter-themed project. For example, they could ..read more

Promoting positive student behavior is one of the most important parts of developing a happy and healthy school climate for students, staff, and families. Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based, tiered framework that supports students’ success inside and outside the classroom. Furthermore, integrating PBIS in schools is an excellent launching point for the development of successful social and emotional learning (SEL) programs. The inclusive and all-encompassing nature of school-wide PBIS aligns well with the goals of SEL programs. Moreover, support ..read more