Wellbeing and Connection

When students engage in safe, supportive environments that prioritize relationships and social, emotional learning and academic development, they develop agency, belonging and life skills which enable them to succeed academically.

CCSSO’s wellbeing and connection work encompasses staff wellbeing, student social and emotional learning and academic development, universal Tier 1 supports and tailored Tier 2/3 supports. This encompasses mental health and wellbeing so all students have the ability to thrive in relationships, professions, communities and our democracy.

Terminology varies across states, however, all states have a critical role in developing a comprehensive vision for student success inclusive of students’ social, emotional and academic development and mental health, and aligning policies and programs to build capacity at the district level to deliver universal and tailored student supports so every student can thrive.

In addition to wellbeing and connection, state education leaders know that students and their families face challenges outside of school that affect student academic performance in classrooms. Challenges such as homelessness, food security, and general health and wellbeing can adversely affect a student’s ability to come to school on time, every day, ready to learn. These types of challenges can be addressed by state education agencies (SEAs) when they partner with other systemic, state and community partners that are working to address these challenges daily. Check out CCSSO’s resources on Improving Conditions for Learning on our website here.

Webisode Series on Effective Multi-Tiered System of Supports for Whole Child Development

CCSSO is hosting a webisode series for state and district leaders on effective multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) for whole child development. The series will draw on insights from a joint resource from the American Institutes for Research (AIR), the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) and CCSSO on integrating social and emotional learning within a multi-tiered system of supports to advance equity as well as the resources and learnings from CASEL and CCSSO’s community of practice (CoP) of cross-division teams from SEAs committed to working collaboratively to identify opportunities to integrate equity-focused SEL within MTSS to bring alignment and coherence with existing priorities, systems, and practices and ensure a focus on whole-child development, learn more here. 

CCSSO, CASEL and the American Institutes for Research® (AIR®) developed a toolkit to support policymakers and state and district leaders in other states who are interested in engaging in the work of intentional SEL and MTSS integration. The toolkit was developed with the support of the Learning Policy Institute (LPI) and in collaboration with leaders the nine community of practice states. Incorporating lessons learned from leading states, practical guidance, and adaptable templates, the toolkit addresses five key questions to support state and district leaders in advancing equitable, integrated SEL and MTSS. Access the toolkit here.