Review Agenda Item
Meeting Date: 11/2/2023 - 6:30 PM
Category: New Business and Reports to the Board
Type: Info
Subject: Social Emotional and Academic Learning (SEAL) Update
ACPS 2025 Strategic Plan Goal:
Goal 1: Systemic Alignment
ACPS will build a culture of continuous improvement and design equitable systems for school and instructional improvement.
Goal 3: Student Accessibility and Support
ACPS will ensure students have equitable access to and engagement with programs and supports that reduce barriers to learning.
Goal 2: Instructional Excellence
ACPS will ensure that all students have access to and engagement with high-quality instruction.
Policy: JHCF - Student Wellness
Funding Source or Fiscal Impact (where applicable)
File Attachment:
231102_ Memo_ SEAL Update v1.pdf
231102_Presentation_SEAL Updatev1.pdf
Agenda Item Summary: Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) continues to prioritize the academic, social and emotional well-being of our students and staff through the Social Emotional and Academic Learning (SEAL) program. ACPS’ SEAL program incorporates the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) framework which identifies five competencies that students should learn to demonstrate. The five CASEL competencies include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making. This presentation will update the School Board on the current implementation, monitoring and assessment of students acquiring the five CASEL competencies. We will also share how students are demonstrating their application of these competencies in our classrooms and schools as a result of the SEAL program.
Background: Post-pandemic, there continues to be a need to focus on students’ social, emotional and academic development. The impact of the pandemic on multiple aspects of students' mental health and social and emotional development has continued to be evident in discipline referrals, mental health referrals, chronic absenteeism, truancy and attendance. We acknowledge that the social emotional health of our students directly affects their ability to learn, grow and thrive in the classroom, in the school and in the community. All schools are required to focus on SEAL implementation utilizing the MTSS framework with flexibility in implementation that allows for the explicit teaching of PBIS behavioral expectations and the RULER social emotional curriculum. Restorative Practices (RP) community circles are also used to build relationships among staff and students. We continue to refine how we measure the implementation and monitoring of the effectiveness of the SEAL program. We are present to work with staff in schools to support the SEAL work and provide feedback to the administrators and staff through gathering data in our walkthroughs.
Recommendation: The Superintendent recommends that the School Board review the information provided to inform and update the School Board members about the current plans for the SEAL program during the 2023-24 school year.
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Dr. Melanie Kay-Wyatt - Superintendent