Social-Emotional Learning
Transforms Education

Imagine a child in your life. What do they need to become a thriving adult? How do we encourage and empower them to blossom, flourish, and become the most authentic version of themselves?

County & District Leaders

Support Staff

Students

School Leaders

Parents & Caregivers

Teachers

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Studentand Teacher Laughing

Integrating Systemic
SEL in Schools

These practices help young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to co-create an equitable learning environment. These practices are designed to challenge injustice and contribute to positive change. Embedding equity-centered SEL throughout a school’s culture includes forming trusting and collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing continuous improvement. When implemented across the system, SEL transforms the educational experience and contributes to safe, healthy, and just communities.

What is Social-Emotional Learning?

Social–Emotional Learning (SEL) is a process through which all people in an educational environment develop healthy identities, learn to manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. CalHOPE SEL is rooted in the belief that when people feel safe, seen, connected, and valued, they experience a more profound sense of belonging and success. When students, teachers, school leaders, and family members practice SEL, they’re able to invest and engage in their human development and education at an even deeper level.

Educating the Whole Student

When students, teachers, school leaders, and family members practice SEL, they’re able to invest and engage in their human development and education at an even deeper level.

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Social-Emotional Learning Is:

For Everyone

SEL develops skills like communication, goal setting, empathy, and decision-making so we can build healthy relationships, succeed in schools and workplaces, and contribute to our communities.

Based in Science

Hundreds of independent studies show that SEL leads to better academic performance, improved well-being, and safer schools.

Created in Community

The way SEL is implemented in schools, and the skills and conditions that are emphasized, are driven by partnerships between families and schools and tailored to the local community’s priorities, cultures, and needs.

Creating the Right Conditions for 
Systemic Change In California, the aim of SEL is to achieve thriving for all students and adults, inclusive of families, caregivers, and educators. The dimensions of thriving include engagement (e.g., attendance), performance (e.g., academics and work-place performance), and wellbeing (e.g., social, emotional, and mental). The Right Foundation A foundation rooted in SEL competencies coupled with their associated focal constructs.
 Self-Awareness: Identity Self-Management: Agency Social Awareness: Belonging Relationship Skills: Collaborative Problem-Solving Responsible Decision-Making: Curiosity
 These “roots” go a long way to supporting individuals, but they are insufficient in larger ecosystems and in navigating systemic challenges. In CA, when we talk about SEL, we also need to include the right climate. The Right Levers The right levers to transform the system using SEL competency strategies. - Partnerships - Supports - Capacities - Structures and routines of SEL Implementation
 These “roots” go a long way to supporting individuals, but they are insufficient in larger ecosystems and in navigating systemic challenges. In CA, when we talk about SEL, we also need to include the right climate. The Right Climate The right climate to transform the system using SEL competency strategies. - Safety - Connection - Voice and Leadership - Culturally Responsive Practices
 These “roots” go a long way to supporting individuals, but they are insufficient in larger ecosystems and in navigating systemic challenges. In CA, when we talk about SEL, we also need to include the right climate.


CalHOPE Sowing the Seeds Report

Click here to read the full report.

Click here to read the peer-reviewed paper in the Journal of Social Emotional Learning

This report describes CalHOPE Student Support-- an effort to "sow the seeds" of SEL across California. Invoking the metaphor of a garden, the report details the historic developments in California that readied the ground for such work, then lifts up the voices of educational leaders who have been catalysts for transforming the landscape. Through sharing qualitative themes, lessons learned, and insights from practitioners, this report is intended for educational leaders who want to know about how to improve SEL implementation.

SEL Explained in 1 Minute

Discover how Social Emotional Learning empowers people of all ages to understand emotions, build stronger relationships, and thrive, all under one minute.

SEL Resource Library

Take some time to view our Social-Emotional Learning Resource Library.

Visit the Resources Library