Antiracist Social Emotional Learning

Did you know?

According to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) “Social and Emotional Learning builds awareness and skills in managing emotions, setting goals, establishing  relationships, and making responsible decisions that support success in school and in life.”

In the 2020-21 school year, the dual pandemics of systemic racism and COVID-19 had significant impact on both students and educators.  Tools that recognized the impact of racism and the COVID-19 pandemic were needed to support the social emotional needs of youth and educators.  Learning Teaching and Family Support (LTFS) staff of Puget Sound Educational Service District (PSESD) began work on developing an antiracist social and emotional curriculum framework and  resources to put that framework into practice.  Our goal is to support schools in creating more just and humanizing school systems, recognizing that current systemic practices for social-emotional learning have harmed Black and Brown students, as well as many young people with a variety of identities.  In partnership with districts, we are working to transform student learning experiences and outcomes through the use of an antiracist social-emotional learning framework and practices.

The LTFS team met throughout the year to develop a foundational document to support this important work which has been well received by district partners.  One district leader shared that “the document brings together key messages in a helpful way.”  Another partner shared that the resource “provided concrete strategies for changing practice.”  We invite you to spend some time looking through this important material.