Agenda Item
a. Renewal: Second Step Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Digital Program (Not to exceed $313,821.90)
Summary: Presented by: Kishia K. Towns, Ph.D., Chief of Wrap Around Services, Division of Wrap Around Services
Request: It is requested that the DeKalb County Board of Education approve the renewal to purchase, for one additional year, the Second Step Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Digital Program for the 2026-2027 school year for an amount not to exceed $313,821.90.
Why: Second Step is a comprehensive, classroom-based social skills program designed for students ages 4-14, spanning preschool through middle school. The curriculum is tailored for each grade level and focuses on reducing impulsive, high-risk, and aggressive behaviors while strengthening essential social-emotional competencies. Its core objectives include developing students’ self-regulation, empathy, problem-solving abilities, and overall social-emotional skills. By intentionally building these competencies, the Second Step curriculum supports a positive school climate and culture, contributing to students’ overall well-being, readiness to learn, and long-term success.
Details: Second Step® Elementary Digital (Grades K-5)
• Twenty (20) research-based lessons, taught once per week for 15- to 25-minutes at each grade level.
• Divided into four (4) units: Growth Mindset & Goal Setting, Emotion Management, Empathy & Kindness, and Problem-Solving. DeKalb also uses the optional Bullying and Child Protection (Erin’s Law) Units.
• Eighteen (18) targeted Tier 2 small group lessons.
• Tier 3 resources.
• Assessment Toolkit: Optional, easy-to-use universal screen, teacher referral rubric, and implementation guidance to help educators identify students in need of additional support.
• Interactive and engaging content includes videos, stories, new Brain Builder games, songs, and more.
• Aligned with Georgia ELL and Social Studies Standards
• Program training and school-wide 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; Developing a Positive Sense of Self; Thoughts, Emotions, and Decisions; and Managing Relationships & Social Conflict & Recognizing Bullying & Harassment (optional unit DeKalb uses)
• Aligns with Georgia ELL and Social Studies Standards.
• Real Voices videos feature a diverse set of unscripted interviews with students from around U.S.
• Eighteen (18) targeted Tier 2 small group lessons.
• Tier 3 resources.
• Assessment Toolkit: Optional, easy-to-use pre-screeners and implementation guidance to help educators identify students in need of additional support
• Reinforcing content is built-in with 200 engaging 10-to-15-minute advisory activities.
• ParenTeen Connect - both in advisory materials for students and as an at-home family engagement resource featuring candid videos and guidance by leading experts on topics like communication, independence, responsibility and screen time.
• Program training and school-wide implementation support resources are included.
Financial impact: The total not-to-exceed budget of $313,821.90 for the 1-year license renewal will be purchased using funds from the Purchased Professional/Technical Services account code: 100.1000.553200.03111.7370.9990.8010.090.0000.
Contact: Kishia K. Towns, Ph.D., Chief of Wrap Around Services, Division of Wrap Around Services, 678.676.1811
Dr. Shannon Crosslin, Senior Counseling Coordinator & Student Advancement, Division of Wrap Around Services, 404.808.8942
Effective: 08/01/2026
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
Aligning Safe & Civil Schools and the Second Step Program
Safe & Civil Schools / PBIS Level / RTI Tier The Second Step Program How They Work Together
Foundations:
Schoolwide /
Staff regularly review data on safety, climate, and discipline to Tier 1 When Foundations and Second Step work in tandem, there are
choose a manageable number of priorities for improvement numerous benefits to staff and students. The continuous cycle of
(such as improving behavior in the hallway or improving improvement works to create a safe atmosphere as well as a climate
student-to-student respect). Once a priority is agreed on, of respect among staff and students. This climate allows students to
The Second Step program teaches skills for learning, self-regulation, empathy,
proposals for addressing that priority are prepared and more easily use and practice the social and emotional skills they are
emotion management, friendship, and interpersonal problem solving. When
presented to staff. Proposed implementation follows the STOIC explicitly taught in Second Step because they are less likely to be in
the program is taught and reinforced schoolwide, staff and students have the
model described on the back of this chart. Once staff agree constant states of agitation and/or distress. When all staff members are
following in common: a language, a set of explicit skills, and a framework for
on a comprehensive plan, that plan is implemented, and data familiar with the Second Step language and skills, they are empowered
prosocial norms and expectations.
are collected to determine if the plan is effective. This process to help students focus on learning, managing their emotions, getting
establishes a cycle of continuous improvement. Over time, along with peers, and responding positively to authority figures. This
procedures and lessons are developed on schoolwide behavioral further reduces the schoolwide issues addressed by Foundations in
expectations for all students (walking in hallways, keeping hands regard to safety, climate, and discipline.
and feet to themselves, for example), along with supervisory
expectations for staff.
Classroom Management: When the CHAMPS approach is implemented, students understand
Classroom / what is expected of them and the positive or negative consequences
CHAMPS: A Proactive and Positive Approach to Classroom Tier 1 Even if children are able to recite expected behaviors and demonstrate them of their actions. They are set up for positive relationships with their
Management is based on the STOIC model described on the when asked, they may struggle to meet behavioral expectations when they are teachers and for behavioral and academic success, which reduces the
back of this chart. All teachers learn to establish a classroom overwhelmed by strong emotions in the course of the school day. likelihood they will become overwhelmed and make negative choices.
STRUCTURE that fits their subject, grade level, and needs of the
students. They learn to directly TEACH and re-teach students The Second Step program teaches students explicit self-regulation and emotion When the Second Step program is also taught, students learn to calm
how to be successful within that structure. Each day, they management skills that they can use under stressful conditions. It also teaches down, think through their choices without simply reacting, and solve
OBSERVE student behavior in order to INTERACT positively with a process for solving problems with other students in a positive way. problems in a positive way. With the ability to calm down and stay in
students (building relationships and providing encouragement) control, students are better able to meet schoolwide and classroom
and to CORRECT misbehavior calmly and consistently. behavioral expectations.
Interventions:
Individual Tier 2: Some schools use the Second Step program in small groups and have had
When an individual student does not respond to the measurable success doing so. Because the program is designed as a Tier 1 universal
Students / intervention, the best small-group interventions are those designed to complement
Tier 1 procedures outlined above, staff implement Tiers 2 and 3 the classroom program.
individualized, function-based interventions. Classroom Though a Tier 1 universal intervention, the Second Step program
teachers are trained to implement early-stage interventions complements Tier 3 interventions by teaching the social-emotional and
Typically these Tier 2 interventions pre-teach Second Step lessons in the small group
such as planned discussions and goal setting. If those self-regulation skills required for success in the classroom. Individualized
before they are presented to the whole class. Students in the small group are thus
interventions are unsuccessful, a problem-solving team or interventions might incorporate or build on elements of the Second Step
introduced to lesson content before they encounter it in the whole class setting.
interventionist (counselor, social worker, or psychologist) program as needed.
designs and implements an individualized behavior Tier 3: Although the Second Step program is not a Tier 3 strategy, the core self-
improvement plan. These problem-solving processes and regulation and social-emotional skills taught in the program can inform Tier 3
behavior improvement plans should match the intensity interventions. These skills are foundational to academic and behavioral success.
of intervention to the intensity of student need.
Safe & Civil Schools: The STOIC approach to PBIS The Second Step Program
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tructure your classroom for success. The way the classroom is organized (physical setting, schedule, routines Second Step materials are designed to support a structured classroom environment. All elementary grade kits include posters for
and procedures, quality of instruction, and so on) has a huge impact on student behavior. Effective teachers classroom display that reinforce the key skills taught in the Second Step lessons. The Kindergarten and Grade 1 kits include four
thoughtfully structure their classrooms in ways that prompt responsible student behavior. Listening Rules Cards to cue and reinforce effective listening behaviors. The Grades 2-3 kits include four Skills for Learning Cards to
cue and reinforce listening, focusing attention, using self-talk, and assertiveness.
T
each behavioral expectations to students. Effective teachers explicitly teach students how to behave The Second Step program explicitly teaches students skills directly related to social and academic success. These include skills for
responsibly and respectfully (in other words, to be successful) in every classroom situation—teacher- learning and for managing emotions. With the ability to listen, focus attention, use self-talk to stay on task, ask for help when
directed instruction, independent seatwork, cooperative groups, tests, and all major transitions. needed, and calm down when experiencing strong emotions, students are better able to meet schoolwide and classroom behavioral
expectations.
O
bserve and supervise. Effective teachers monitor student behavior by physically circulating whenever
The reinforcement strategies that are one of the core components of the Second Step program guide teachers to notice student
possible and visually scanning all parts of the classroom frequently. Effective teachers also use
behaviors and remind students of the skills they have learned, as needed. Each lesson also includes formative assessments so that
meaningful data to observe student behavior, particularly chronic misbehavior, in objective ways and to
teachers can assess individual children’s grasp of Second Step skills over time.
monitor trends across time.
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nteract positively with students. Effective teachers focus more time, attention, and energy on acknowledging
responsible behavior than on responding to misbehavior—what we call a high ratio of positive to negative The Second Step reinforcement strategies guide teachers to notice and positively reinforce behaviors and skill use with specific
interactions. When students behave responsibly, they receive attention and specific descriptive feedback on feedback. The Second Step content provides frequent opportunities for positive teacher-student interactions.
their behavior.
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orrect fluently. Effective teachers pre-plan their responses to misbehavior to ensure that they respond in
a brief, calm, and consistent manner—ensuring that the flow of instruction is maintained. In addition, The Second Step posters provide helpful visual cues for teachers to address misbehavior with students in teachable moments
with chronic and severe misbehavior, teachers think about the function of the misbehavior (“Why is the throughout the day and to remind students of the steps to take to achieve desired behaviors.
student misbehaving?”) and build a plan that helps the student learn appropriate behavior.