Social Emotional Learning & Students At-Risk
The research is clear that preparing a student for the future goes well beyond academics and should include intentional connection and a safe peer group, building of social/emotional skills (collaboration, problem solving, communication, etc.), healthy living skills (sleep, nutrition, stress management), academic progress monitoring and distributed guidance to ensure that all students are prepared for post-secondary transition.
This is especially critical in rural districts where counselors, social workers and psychologists are often shared across many schools in a BOCES and access to mental health care may require traversing long distances.
OUR CURRENT WORK
Implemented Generation Schools Network’s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Program in partner schools, which has helped to decrease student reports of depression, anxiety, and stress; decrease reports of disciplinary action due to disruptions and delinquent acts; increase student motivation; and increase the student grade point average by 11%, as shown in third-party, external evaluation results. Additional evaluation information is available here. If you are interested in SEL for your district, please contact Kirk Banghart at kbanghart@generationschools.org.
1006 students and 90 teachers participated in the 2020-2021 End-of-Year Advocacy/SEL survey. Overall…
91% of students feel connected to a caring adult in their school.
97% of teachers agree that they have developed meaningful relationships with their Advocacy/SEL students.
88% of teachers feel “mostly confident” or “highly confident” in their ability to support students in their SEL skill development.
84% of students agree that they develop skills that will help them in school, work, and life during their SEL lessons.
Supported 15 school districts through the Expelled and At-Risk Student Services Programs (EARSS).
A total of 63 K-6 students at-risk in the San Luis Valley BOCES were served through EARSS programming with the following results:
63% of parents / guardians increased their ability to support their child’s learning
68% of students’ school attendance improved
78% of students participated in SEL programs to increase their competencies according to the five CASEL “SEL Competencies”
Implemented Education Stability Grants in Wiggins School District and Hanover School District. Both Districts hired a full-time Advocate to support students who are migrant, homeless, or navigating the foster care system.
Implemented Bullying Prevention across several districts in the South Central BOCES.
Paired up with 7 different school districts to support the planning and implementation of a comprehensive school health and wellness plan through the Creating Healthy Schools Local Planning and Assessment Grant by The Colorado Health Foundation. The health and wellness plan includes:
Comprehensive Physical Activity
Supportive Nutrition and Healthy Food and Beverage
Health and Wellness friendly school climate and culture
Health Education
Student Health Services
Student Behavioral Health Needs
Bayfield Elementary Implements SEL Curriculum
OUR PAST WORK
Assisted Huerfano, Las Animas, and Primero in securing School Counselor Corps Grants.
To see our work from the 2017 Rural Education Summit, click here.
