Definitional Tools

Minneapolis Public Schools commits to implement district-wide SEL strategies, which promote the development of schools that are safe, welcoming and inclusive learning communities for all stakeholders. This work begins with the SEL skill development of adults and is in partnerships with students, families and community.

Prior to the 2017-18 school year, SEL practices varied greatly in terms of research base, quality, and integrity of implementation across Minneapolis Public Schools. An SEL implementation toolkit supports systemic and systematic implementation across sites.

SEL is important because it:

• helps our students to be College, Career & Life Ready
• sets the expectations and practices that help our schools to be safe, welcoming and inclusive for all of our students & families
• provides the opportunity for our staff to support the development of the Whole Child
• provides the opportunity for staff to reflect on their own strengths, needs and opportunities as essential members of the school community
• provides added support for students who may have experienced trauma or may be struggling with sadness or worry.

MPS is a partner with the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) and adopted its definition of social and emotional learning:

“Social and emotional learning is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.” CASEL, 2016

MPS committed to developing five critical skills in all members of our school communities:

Self-Awareness

The ability to accurately recognize one’s own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior. The ability to accurately assess one’s strengths and limitations, with a well-grounded sense of confidence, optimism, and a “growth mindset.”

• Identifying emotions
• Accurate self-perception
• Recognizing strengths
• Self-confidence
• Self-efficacy

Self-Management

The ability to successfully regulate one’s emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations — effectively managing stress, controlling impulses, and motivating oneself. The ability to set and work toward personal and academic goals.

• Impulse control
• Stress management
• Self-discipline
• Self-motivation
• Goal-setting
• Organizational skills

Social Awareness

The ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures. The ability to understand social and ethical norms for behavior and to recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.

• Perspective-taking
• Empathy
• Appreciating diversity
• Respect for others

Relationship Skills

The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups. The ability to communicate clearly, listen well, cooperate with others, resist inappropriate social pressure, negotiate conflict constructively, and seek and offer help when needed.

• Communication
• Social engagement
• Relationship-building
• Teamwork

Responsible Decision Making

The ability to make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on ethical standards, safety concerns, and social norms. The realistic evaluation of consequences of various actions, and a consideration of the well-being of oneself and others.

• Identifying problems
• Analyzing situations
• Solving problems
• Evaluating
• Reflecting
• Ethical responsibility

Below, please find a link to the MPS SEL Logic Model. The model supports the work of the MPS Social Emotional Learning Team to implement a cohort model and provides an overview of district-wide SEL implementation for school-level leaders and staff.

MPS SEL Logic Model

Below, please find links to research that supports the importance of SEL in districts such as MPS.

MPS SEL Literature Review

For an additional list of relevant research articles please review the CASEL School Guide Bibliography