What is SEL?
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
@CASEL2017 |
Volusia County Schools aligns its SEL approach with the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning’s (CASEL) widely used Framework for Systemic Social and Emotional Learning, which identifies five core competencies that help “educate hearts, inspire minds, and help people navigate the world more effective".
These five competencies include:
These five competencies include:
- Self-Awareness: The ability to accurately recognize your emotions and thoughts and know how they influence behavior.
- Self-Management: The ability to regulate your emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations.
- Social Awareness: The ability to adopt the perspective of other people and to empathize with other people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
- Relationship Skills: These skills enable a person to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups.
- Responsible Decision-Making: A person who makes responsible decisions has the ability to make constructive and respectful choices about personal behavior and social interactions.
"Building positive relationships with students is the linchpin for student learning and student engagement. There must be a commitment to building a culture of respect and positive relationships with all people; therefore, we must seek opportunities to know our students and their families."
-Tom Russell, Superintendent of VCS Schools
Why Focus on SEL
Why Focus on Students’ Social and Emotional Skills? Although social and emotional skills are critical for many reasons, they have been found to be especially important to academic success in particular. The research base supporting SEL as a strategy for improving academic and life outcomes for students is strong. According to a meta-analysis of 213 studies involving more than 270,000 students, children who participated in evidence-based SEL programs showed an 11 percentile-point gain in academic achievement compared to students who did not participate in SEL programs.
Students participating in SEL programs also showed improved
- classroom behavior
- an increased ability to manage stress and depression
- better attitudes about themselves and others
Further, a 2015 report indicated that every dollar invested in SEL programming yields an $11 return in long-term benefits. These benefits include reduced juvenile crime, higher lifetime earnings, and better mental and physical health.
Our Vision of SEL
We aim to seamlessly integrate SEL into the academic experience for all learners and educators in Volusia County Schools (VCS). Through SEL, we will continue the work of reversing old paradigms predicated on hierarchy, violence, race, and subordination. Instead, equality, mutual respect, collaboration, civic participation, high academic achievement, and joy in learning will be the norm. By providing a foundation for safe and positive learning through SEL, we will enhance students' ability to succeed in school, careers, and life. VCS is committed to creating a coherent and sustainable plan for long-term SEL implementation.