Illinois Learning Renewal - SEL
IL LEARNING RENEWAL & SEL

Evaluation of the Learning Renewal – Social Emotional Learning Programs for Supporting Pandemic Recovery With Illinois State Board of Education

About the Research Study

Background

The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) adopted a multicomponent approach to accelerate learning and recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, with social and emotional learning (SEL) as the largest part of its pandemic recovery investment. ISBE has emphasized that social and emotional learning is a critical first step so that other investments in instruction may have a better chance at taking hold among stressed and disengaged students.

To address the importance of SEL, ISBE established Learning Renewal-SEL programs across the state, comprising three activities:

  • SEL Hubs: Housed within six regional offices of education across the state and Chicago Public Schools, SEL Hubs provide professional development, training, and support to districts and schools in their respective regions.
  • Resilience Education to Advance Community Healing (REACH): Provides virtual learning experiences to school staff on trauma-responsive schools, including the signs and symptoms of trauma and the intersection of trauma, racism, and equity.
  • Community Partnership Grants: Provides funding to support mental health and trauma-responsive practice to promote student, staff, and family well-being.

Research Study

This research-practice partnership between ISBE and the American Institutes for Research® (AIR®) aims to provide insight into what SEL approaches are being implemented across the state and whether these approaches are associated with any changes in student and staff social-emotional skills and well-being and student outcomes such as achievement and attendance. The study also seeks to provide useful feedback about effective strategies for implementing and scaling programs that address student and staff social-emotional well-being.

About the Research Team

This study reflects a partnership between AIR and ISBE. The study team includes lead researchers from AIR and ISBE leadership.

Research Team Members
Kimberly Kendziora
Kimberly Kendziora
Managing Researcher, Principal Investigator
American Institutes for Research
Christina LiCalsi
Christina LiCalsi
Principal Researcher, Principal Investigator
American Institutes for Research
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Rae Clementz
Director of Accountability and Co-PI
Illinois State Board of Education
Jennie Jiang
Jennie Jiang
Project Director
American Institutes for Research
Nehemiah Ankoor
Nehemiah Ankoor
Learning Renewal Lead
Illinois State Board of Education
Annie Rojas
Annie Rojas
Learning Renewal Research Lead
Illinois State Board of Education
Julia Strehlow
Julia Strehlow
Learning Renewal SEL Lead
Illinois State Board of Education
Jingtong Pan
Jingtong Pan
Quantitative Lead
American Institutes for Research
Iris Daruwala
Iris Daruwala
Researcher, Qualitative Lead
American Institutes for Research
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Erin Clancy
Researcher
American Institutes for Research
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Isabelle Edwards
Research Associate
American Institutes for Research
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Katie Korwan
Research Associate
American Institutes for Research
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Stephanie Levin
Senior Researcher
American Institutes for Research
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Karthik Ramesh
Research Associate
American Institutes for Research
Debra Rodriguez
Debra Rodriguez
Senior TA Consultant
American Institutes for Research
Victoria Salinas
Victoria Salinas
Research Assistant
American Institutes for Research
Maura Shramko
Maura Shramko
Researcher
American Institutes for Research
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Ajay Srikanth
Researcher
American Institutes for Research
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George Stifel
Research Assistant
American Institutes for Research