Frequently Asked Questions

The Council aims to advance high-quality SEL implementation by bringing together SEL providers for:

• Networking: Build meaningful partnerships that advance the SEL field
• Shared learning: Learn from other SEL providers, researchers, field experts, and practitioners
• Collective promotion: Foster education and awareness about SEL in schools, youth-serving organizations and communities
• Advocacy: Advocate for policies and funding that support high-quality SEL implementation

Council activities include in-person and online convening events, an online discussion board, and various initiatives launched by subcommittees. An elected Steering Committee determines the Council’s plan of activities each year; however, we expect that activities in the first year will include at least one in-person convening concurrent to a national SEL conference (subject to safety concerns of COVID-19), two online convening events, an online discussion board, and the launch of at least two subcommittees.

• Connect with leading SEL researchers, practitioners, policymakers and other experts
• Work collectively to promote and advocate for SEL
• Meet and build relationships with other SEL program and assessment providers
• Learn emerging trends and best practices for SEL implementation
• Engage in knowledge sharing with other CASEL initiatives (e.g. Collaborating States Initiative, Collaborating Districts Initiative, Assessment Work Group)

We aim to develop a broad and inclusive council and invite all SEL providers to apply. Membership is open to organizations that actively develop and deliver SEL programs, curricula, professional development and/or assessments with demonstrated evidence of effectiveness or plans to establish evidence to multiple schools and/or organizations serving early, elementary, secondary and/or higher education.

The Council recognizes the importance of evidence-based programming and assessment tools and appreciates the investment that many providers have made to establish evidence of effectiveness/validity. We also understand that many providers are still working towards establishing an evidence base. Providers can demonstrate effectiveness with a program/assessment listed in one of the following guides—CASEL Program Guides, Harvard GSE Navigating SEL from the Inside Out, RAND SEL Interventions Under the Every Student Succeeds Act, SEL Assessment Guide, RAND Education Assessment Finder—or describe plans to study their program/assessment effectiveness.

Thanks to generous funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the inaugural year of the Council is supported by a grant; however, we are working toward establishing a model that allows the Council to become self-sustaining through membership fees in future years.

The initial application deadline for membership in 2020 was January 10th. However, we are now accepting membership on a rolling basis.

After you submit your application, we will reply with any questions or notification of your application status within two weeks.

An elected seven-member Steering Committee directs the Council’s annual goals, activities, and policies. Steering Committee members are elected annually in January for a one-year term and may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. We endeavor to recruit Steering Committee members who reflect the diversity of the Council’s membership. Periodic member surveys and input gathered at Council activities inform the Steering Committee’s decisions.

Two Steering Committee Co-Chairs—one representing CASEL and the other designated from among elected committee members—lead the group. In addition, a Project Director helps manage Council activities.

CASEL houses and providers the infrastructure support for the Council, providing a platform for ongoing collaboration with the field’s broad network of thought leaders, SEL experts, and as appropriate, CASEL initiatives across research, practice, and policy.

The Council is a learning community that strives to advance high-quality implementation and should be viewed as distinct from the widely accessed CASEL Program Guides. This means that not all Council members have been evaluated through CASEL’s program review process and Council membership does not indicate an endorsement from CASEL.

Members are encouraged to actively participate in Council leadership and activities by running for the elected Steering Committee or joining subcommittees, which focus on specific Council priorities driven by member interest. The Steering Committee appoints sub-committee leadership.

Council staff includes a part-time Director and a CASEL Staff member who supports connection with CASEL leadership and other initiatives and provides administrative support.