State education policies as a critical component of systemic SEL: Roger Weissberg’s vision and continuing impact

Abstract

What does it mean to promote social and emotional learning (SEL) across all 50 states? That was the visionary question of Dr. Roger Weissberg when he and the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) set out to collaborate with state policymakers, funders, and experts over the past 20 years. As a result of the deep learning and collaboration that Roger inspired, the strategies of promoting state systemic SEL evolved across time. To create policy change for SEL, Roger recognized the need to unite state policymakers with experts and funders to develop and share policies in support of both students and adults. Leading with the experience of deep collaboration in one state, the success of implementing systemic SEL through the Collaborating Districts Initiative (CDI), and the unwavering collaborative mindset that was uniquely Roger, his vision led to a network, The Collaborating States Initiative (CSI). The CSI enables states to work together to create the conditions necessary for districts, schools, and educators to support the whole child. Through this collaborative network and Roger’s expertise, the concepts of SEL, resilience, character education, and youth development have spread to nearly every state, and the process of implementing systemic SEL continues to thrive, even within various political environments. Roger’s bold vision for systemic SEL lives on with CASEL’s work with states today and has formed a strong foundation for the future. In this article, Roger's collaborators reflect on the history, progress, and future directions of state policy work and its extensive impact on millions of students and adults.