Research Questions What are the benefits of school and out-of-school-time (OST) program partnerships that focus on SEL? What approaches to implementing SEL are useful?
The Wallace Foundation's Partnerships for Social and Emotional Learning Initiative (PSELI) is a six-year initiative that The Wallace Foundation launched in 2017 to explore whether and how children benefit when schools and their out-of-school-time programs partner to improve social and emotional learning (SEL), as well as what it takes to do this work. The six communities that participate in PSELI are Boston, Massachusetts; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colorado; Palm Beach County, Florida; Tacoma, Washington; and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
According to the Collaborative for Academic and Social and Emotional Learning, SEL is "the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions."
Six case studies spotlight specific approaches to implementing SEL. This cross-cutting report briefly summarizes each case and highlights shared themes among them. Themes include implementing SEL by building adults' SEL skills before building children's SEL skills and sustaining SEL work even as staff turn over by distributing leadership.
Key Findings Committed school and OST program leaders took concrete actions that laid the foundation for SEL. Establishing trusting relationships was a necessary first step to building an effective school–OST program partnership. SEL committees guided and supported implementation. Starting with adults' own SEL skills proved central, followed by professional development about developing students' skills. Short SEL rituals were often the first and most widely adopted strategy, setting the stage for formal instruction. Prioritizing time for SEL in schedules was important to making implementation routine. Formal SEL resources facilitated a consistent approach within and across settings. Distributing ownership of SEL across staff and students increased buy-in and sustainability.
Related Products
Project
Research on the Partnerships for Social and Emotional Learning Initiative Jan 15, 2019
Report
Expanding Social and Emotional Learning Beyond the School Walls in Boston Sep 15, 2022
Katie Tosh, Catherine H. Augustine, et al.
Report
Building an Effective Social and Emotional Learning Committee in Dallas Sep 15, 2022
Alice Huguet, Heather L. Schwartz @schwartz_hl, et al.
Report
Jointly Prioritizing Time for Social and Emotional Learning In Denver Sep 15, 2022
Andrea Prado Tuma @PradoTuma, Catherine H. Augustine, et al.
Report
Engaging Teachers, Staff, and Parents in Social and Emotional Learning in Palm Beach County Sep 15, 2022
Jennifer T. Leschitz, Catherine H. Augustine, et al.
Report
Prioritizing Racial Equity Within Social and Emotional Learning in Tacoma Sep 15, 2022
Susannah Faxon-Mills, Heather L. Schwartz @schwartz_hl, et al.
Report
Learning to Focus on Adult Social and Emotional Learning First in Tulsa Sep 15, 2022
Karen Christianson, Celia J. Gomez, et al.
Report
Early Lessons from Schools and Out-of-School Time Programs Implementing Social and Emotional Learning Oct 20, 2020
Heather L. Schwartz @schwartz_hl, Laura S. Hamilton, et al.
Research conducted by RAND Education and Labor
This research was commissioned by The Wallace Foundation and conducted by RAND Education and Labor.
This report is part of the RAND Corporation Research report series. RAND reports present research findings and objective analysis that address the challenges facing the public and private sectors. All RAND reports undergo rigorous peer review to ensure high standards for research quality and objectivity.
This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited; linking directly to this product page is encouraged. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial purposes. For information on reprint and reuse permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.
The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve policy and decisionmaking through research and analysis. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors.