Wellbeing, Work Climate, and Levers of Transformation for Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Implementation among California Educational Leaders in Spring 2024

• DOI: 10.35542/osf.io/7ug2h_v2
• Publication Date: 2025-03-27T21:09:02Z
• Authors: Ashley Metzger; Justin D. Caouette; Tiffany M. Jones; Jennifer A. Bailey; Valerie Shapiro
• Keywords: Social emotional learning

High-quality social and emotional learning (SEL) initiatives have been demonstrated to prevent problems promote wellbeing among youth. Educational leaders are tasked with implementing SEL help create conditions for students thrive. initiatives, intended facilitate healthy development address inequities, often face implementation challenges that threaten their success. To overcome these challenges, CalHOPE Student Support was established as an effort build capacity of in K-12 public schools across all counties the state California. As part CalHOPE, County Offices Education (COEs) work closely focal districts support them sustainable equity lens. Specific activities statewide through began 2021 ongoing. capture California Spring 2024, 514 educational (69% non-Hispanic White, 81% female) from 56 (167 COE leaders, 61 district office 286 school leaders) reported on own wellbeing, associated (e.g., climate), engage levers system transformation. Overall, most self-reported strong (experiencing positive emotions) resources coping work-related stressors, climate (in domains safety connection well opportunities leadership, though less favorable domain cultural/linguistic responsiveness), overall presence specific transformation supports received provided, capacities built). A focus current report is measuring change climate, leaders. Mean-level responses sample (Spring 2024) were compared a Fall 2023 676 80% 54 (155 97 424 leaders). Among outcomes 2024 consistently favorable. small direction observed outcomes, saliently received, structures routines implementation, site capacities, implementation. Consistent theory action, it appears county “went first” ongoing investment has now The team continues make progress building advance schools.