What is SEL?
Social and emotional learning (SEL) 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.
SEL is based on the evidence that supports that the best learning occurs in the context of supportive relationships that make learning challenging, engaging, and purposeful.
The Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) has identified five core competencies (self-awareness, self-management, relationship skills, social awareness and responsible decision making) that play an essential role in creating safe, engaging, culturally responsive, and personalized learning experiences for students and adults.
Birmingham City Schools (BCS) has made a commitment to the development of the whole child by integrating social and emotional learning into our work around creating positive district-wide, school-wide, and classroom environments and academics.
Our goal is to help build safe and caring school environments that set the foundation for engaging and high-quality instruction to take place.
Department of Social Emotional Learning