Collaboration to Achieve Whole-School SEL Across a Large, Urban District

University:
Boston University
Course:
QST SM 101 | Introduction to Management
Academic year:

2021
Views:

370

Pages:

15
Author:

eastelmhurst4181

Collaboration to Achieve Whole-School SEL Across a Large, Urban District What is Open Circle? Open Circle, established in 1987, is a leading provider of evidence-based professional development and curricula for social and emotional learning (SEL) in Kindergarten through Grade 5. 2 “Emotion drives attention and attention drives learning.” 3 Open Circle Goals Skill Development Help students develop skills for recognizing and managing emotions, empathy, relationships and problem solving Learning Environment Help students feel safe, cared for, and engaged in learning at school 4 CASEL Five Social and Emotional Learning involves the development of skills in 5 areas Manage emotions and behaviors Show understanding and empathy for others Recognize emotions, Make constructive choices about personal and social behavior Form positive relationships, work in teams, effectively manage conflict 5 Whole-School Approach 6 Curricula Open Circle Curriculum Grade K Open Circle Curriculum Grade 1 Open Circle Curriculum Grade 2 © Open Circle © Open Circle © Open Circle Open Circle Curriculum Grade 3 Open Circle Curriculum Grade 4 Open Circle Curriculum Grade 5 © Open Circle © Open Circle © Open Circle • Teachers implement gradedifferentiated SEL curricula during twice-weekly, 15minute classroom meetings • The entire school community models and uses SEL vocabulary, concepts and strategies throughout the school day and beyond 7 Key Open Circle Skills to help decrease incidents of bullying • Self Awareness/ Self Management • Social Awareness and Positive Relationships • Problem-Solving Grade 3-5 Open Circle lessons: • What is Bullying Behavior • What is a Bystander • Being an Ally 8 Professional Development • Grade-level teachers receive 4 days of training, 2+ coaching visits • Administrators, counselors, specialist subject teachers, support staff, and family and community outreach coordinators receive 1 day of training Open Circle’s PD is designed to be interactive and experiential with multiple cycles of learning, practice, and reflection • 1+ peer coaches and SEL leadership team of 8 cross-departmental staff members receive additional PD 9 Background • SEL programs shown to improve social skills, behavior, and academic achievement • Most studies conducted at the classroom level • Few examine whole-school and district-level reform through SEL Aims • Process outcomes and program impact for 2-year, grade K-5 SEL rollout across a large urban district: 23 schools (one-third of elementary-level district schools) 400 classrooms (universal – every K-5 classroom) Over 7,000 students (universal – every K-5 student) District Setting • Setting 8.5% suspension rate 7.4% retention in grade 8.9% dropout • Student population 78% low-income 30% limited English proficiency 20% special education status 36% Black/African American; 40% Hispanic; 13% White; 9% Asian; 2% other/multi-racial Factors to Consider • What are the critical factors to successful district implementation? • How is implementation related to school climate, teacher practice, and students’ social and emotional skill development and behavior? 13 Evaluation Sample 23 Participating Schools 793 Staff Members Trained • 34 schools expressed interest • 413 teachers • District selected schools, prioritizing schools serving lowest-income populations • 19 schools joined in Year 1 (3 of which dropped) and 7 schools joined in Year 2 • 332 counselors, special subject teachers, support staff • 48 administrators • 5 family/community outreach coordinators Training Participation Percent of 23 Participating Schools 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Teachers Specialists & Paraprofessionals All/Nearly All Trained One or More Administrators Over 50% Trained Behavioral Health Staff Less than Half Trained 17