Photo: Alessandra Hartkopf for Strategies for Children

Trainers are available to teach courses on the pre-K and kindergarten social and emotional standards.

The trainers are available to schools and districts. They “present the state’s newly-developed, 10-hour, six-module introductory course on the Massachusetts Preschool and Kindergarten Social and Emotional Learning and Approaches to Play and Learning standards.” according to the Department of Secondary and Elementary Education (DESE). “To receive a list of available trainers, email Jane Haltiwanger at jhaltiwanger@doe.mass.edu.”

“The course is designed to familiarize participants with the standards and includes sections on orienting participants to the standards and on social and emotional learning curriculum and instruction, assessment, family engagement, and the administrative role in supporting social and emotional learning and approaches to play and learning.”

As we’ve blogged before, “DESE’s definition of social and emotional learning, comes from the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), which says, ‘SEL is the process of developing students’ and adults’ social and emotional competencies—the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors that individuals need to make successful choices.’ ”

DESE also has a social and emotional learning website, which explains:

“Research and experience demonstrate that preparing all students for success (in school, the workplace, civic life, and more) includes attending to their social-emotional and health development. Furthermore, academic and social-emotional competencies are mutually reinforcing. Key levers in this work include safe and supportive school climate and culture, and effective family engagement.”

Also, check out the Rennie Center’s 2016 Condition of Education report. It takes an in-depth look at social-emotional learning from pre-K to college and lists four priorities:

• Set a social-emotional foundation in early childhood

• Build comprehensive K-12 systems of social-emotional support

• Promote skills for college and career success

• Equip educators to foster social-emotional wellbeing

“By replicating the best of these practices and expanding our overall focus beyond purely academic investments to the social-emotional learning that underpins academic success,” Rennie says, “Massachusetts can produce more positive, lasting outcomes for children across the state.”