Agenda Item
a. License Renewal: Second Step SEL Digital Program (Not to exceed $206,811 for a 1 year license)
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Kishia K. Towns, Ph.D., Deputy Superintendent of Student Support and Intervention, Division of Equity and Student Empowerment
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the renewal of the Committee for Children Second Step SEL Digital Program license for an amount not to exceed $206,811 for a one(1) year license.
Why: The Second Step SEL Digital Program is a classroom-based social skills program for students in preschool through junior high (ages 4-14 years), with a distinct curriculum for each grade. It is designed to reduce impulsive, high-risk, and aggressive behaviors and increase children's social competence and other protective factors.
Details: Second Step Elementary Digital (Grades K-5)
Twenty (20) research-based lessons, taught once per week for 15-25 minutes at each grade level.
All new modern programs with interactive and engaging content, including video, stories, new Brain Builder games, songs and more.
Divided into four (4) units: Growth Mindset & Goal Setting, Emotion Management, Empathy & Kindness, and Problem-Solving.
Program training and schoolwide implementation support resources are included.
Second Step Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Twenty-six (26) research-based and highly engaging lessons for each distinct grade level.
Taught once per week, 25-minute interactive lessons include videos and game-like activities.
Lessons are divided into four (4) units: Mindsets and Goals; Recognizing Bullying & Harassment; Thoughts, Emotions, and Decisions; and Managing Relationships & Social Conflict.
Real Voices videos feature a diverse set of unscripted interviews with students from around the U.S.
Reinforcing content is built-in with two hundred (200) engaging 10 to 15-minute advisory activities.
Financial impact: The Second Step grades K-8 multi-site platform will be funded using general funds from Purchased Prof/Tech Services account number: 100.1000.553200.03111.7370.9990.8010.090.0000,
for an amount not to exceed $206,811.00 for a one (1) year license.
Contact: Dr. Kishia K. Towns, Ph.D., Deputy Superintendent of Student Support and Intervention, Division of Equity and Student Empowerment, 678.676.1911
Mrs. Denise Revels, Director of Wrap Around Support Services, Division of Equity and Student Empowerment, 678.676.2011
Dr. Shannon Crosslin, Counseling Coordinator, III of Student Support Services, Division of Equity and Student Empowerment, 678.676.1890
Effective: Upon approval by the Board of Education.
Status: Pending approval by General Counsel
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
®
®
ALIGNMENT CHART
CASEL CORE SEL COMPETENCIES
Second Step® Middle School
This diagram illustrates how elements in Second Step® Middle School
align with the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning
(CASEL) core social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies. All CASEL core
competencies are addressed and woven throughout the units and elements of
Second Step Middle School to fully support students’ well-being.
Self-Management
• Mindsets & Goals Self-Awareness
• Thoughts, Emotions & Decisions
• Managing Relationships & Social Conflict • Mindsets & Goals
• Advisory Activities • Recognizing Bullying & Harassment
• Thoughts, Emotions & Decisions
Social Awareness Social & • Managing Relationships & Social Conflict
Emotional • Advisory Activities
• Recognizing Bullying & Harassment
Learning
• Managing Relationships & Social Conflict
• Advisory Activities Responsible Decision-Making
• Mindsets & Goals
Relationship Skills
• Recognizing Bullying & Harassment
• Managing Relationships & Social Conflict • Thoughts, Emotions & Decisions
• Advisory Activities • Managing Relationships & Social Conflict
• Advisory Activities
What Is CASEL? What Is Second Step® Middle School?
CASEL is the nation’s leading organization advancing the Second Step Middle School is a universal, classroom-based
development of academic, social, and emotional competence program designed to increase students’ school success
for all students. Its mission is to help make evidence-based by promoting social-emotional competence. The
SEL an integral part of education from preschool through high research-based program helps early adolescents cope with
school. To that end, CASEL has identified five interrelated SEL challenges, create positive relationships, and develop the
core competencies: self-management, self-awareness, social critical thinking skills they need to succeed socially and
awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. academically. Lessons equip students with the mindsets,
© 2021 Committee for Children | SecondStep.org | Second Step® Middle School 1
What Is Second Step® Middle School?
(continued)
knowledge, and skills to handle strong emotions, make and To support students’ identity development, Second
follow through on good decisions, and show empathy and Step Middle School provides opportunities to:
respect for others. • Identify their personal strengths and interests
Committee for Children, the maker of Second Step® • Explore values
programs, believes SEL can help children and adults • Discuss unique aspects of their identity
navigate differences, appreciate one another’s perspectives,
• Honor and understand others’ differences based on
and act with empathy and compassion in their day-to-
their varied personal experiences
day lives. Committee for Children also believes SEL can
be leveraged to speak to children’s cultural assets, help • Share aspects of their personal, familial, and
educators examine their policies and practices through cultural experiences
an equity lens, and elevate the voices of those who have Second Step Middle School supports teachers in creating
historically been silenced. Accordingly, Second Step Middle a positive classroom climate and supports students’
School works in various ways to achieve what CASEL has sense of school connectedness and belonging by
termed “transformative SEL”: SEL that builds relationships, helping students feel accepted, known, and valued through
values differences, and addresses systemic inequities and community-building classroom interactions. These
community issues. interactions are prompted by lessons as well as by optional
Class Meetings and Class Challenges. They help teachers
Student voice is elevated throughout Second Step capitalize on students’ varied strengths, learn more about
Middle School lessons in the following ways: their students’ lives, demonstrate caring and respect,
• Activities that support autonomy and provide students validate students’ experiences, support peer collaboration,
with meaningful choices and honor students’ identities outside the classroom. Efforts
• Real-world application of content to students’ lives to increase a sense of community are reinforced by content
throughout the program that requires students to:
• Opportunities for students to share their knowledge, ideas,
opinions, and diverse experiences
• Recognize negative behaviors (such as bullying and
harassment) that threaten the safety of their school
community, and consider their role in creating a
safer community
• Analyze their school community and advocate for
positive changes
• Consider varied perspectives in conflicts and propose
solutions that meet the needs of everyone involved
© 2021 Committee for Children | SecondStep.org | Second Step® Middle School 2
How Does Second Step® Middle School
Develop CASEL Core SEL Competencies?
The following table outlines key skills developed through various Second Step Middle School elements.
Second Step®
CASEL Core
Middle School Key Skills Developed
SEL Competencies
Element
Mindsets & • Understanding that the brain can grow • Responsible Decision-Making
Goals Unit and change • Self-Awareness
• Setting and monitoring goals • Self-Management
• Planning ahead for difficult situations
• Developing strengths and interests
Recognizing Bullying • Recognizing bullying and harassment • Relationship Skills
& Harassment Unit • Standing up safely to bullying • Responsible Decision-Making
• Responding appropriately to harassment • Self-Awareness
• Social Awareness
Thoughts, Emotions • Handling unhelpful thoughts and • Responsible Decision-Making
& Decisions Unit strong emotions • Self-Awareness
• Using strategies to calm down • Self-Management
Managing • Recognizing different perspectives • Relationship Skills
Relationships & • Recognizing and avoiding serious conflicts • Responsible Decision-Making
Social Conflict Unit • Resolving serious conflicts • Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness
Advisory Activities • Practicing social-emotional skills with nearly • Relationship Skills
(Optional) 200 activities (scripted Class Meetings, Class • Responsible Decision-Making
Challenges, and Service-Learning Projects) • Self-Awareness
• Self-Management
• Social Awareness
© 2021 Committee for Children | SecondStep.org | Second Step® Middle School 3
#1953 22021