Rockdale County Public Schools supports the research that demonstrates that social emotional learning promotes academic success and increases positive behavior. Social Emotional Learning is how children and adults learn to understand and manage emotions, set goals, show empathy for others, establish positive relationships, and make responsible citizens. RCPS integrates SEL material for students that is based on the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). CASEL has identified 5 Core Competencies for SEL:
Self-awareness: The ability to accurately recognize one’s emotions and thoughts and their influence on behavior. This includes accurately assessing one’s strengths and limitations and possessing a well-grounded sense of confidence and optimism.
Self-management: The ability to regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations. This includes managing stress, controlling impulses, motivating oneself, and setting and working toward achieving personal and academic goals.
Social awareness: The ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others from diverse backgrounds and cultures, to understand social and ethical norms for behavior, and to recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.
Relationship skills: The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups. This includes communicating clearly, listening actively, cooperating, resisting inappropriate social pressure, negotiating conflict constructively, and seeking and offering help when needed.
Responsible decision-making: The ability to make constructive and respectful choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on consideration of ethical standards, safety concerns, social norms, the realistic evaluation of consequences of various actions, and the well-being of self and others.
Social Emotional Learning - What is SEL and Why SEL Matters (video)
What is Social Emotional Learning?
CASEL - Overview