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.