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Oakland Unified School District

Social Emotional Learning

Our mission is to make transformative social and emotional learning real in order to dismantle the barriers created by systemic oppression, while co-constructing with OUSD teachers, leaders, and students inclusive and liberatory learning environments that manifest the beauty and joy of humanity.

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Dr. Zaia Vera

Social Emotional Learning Lead

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In Oakland, we define social and emotional learning (SEL) as...

A process through which children and adults develop the fundamental skills for life effectiveness. These are the skills we all need to handle ourselves, our relationships, and our work effectively and ethically. Everyone strengthens their social competencies to connect across race, class, culture, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, learning needs and age.

OUSD has adopted the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning's (CASEL) integrated framework that promotes intrapersonal, interpersonal, and cognitive competence. The five broad, interrelated areas of competence are: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

In Oakland, SEL is an integral part of a student's education and development, as expressed in OUSD's Graduate Profile

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.

SEL advances educational equity and excellence through authentic school-family-community partnerships to establish learning environments and experiences that feature trusting and collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing evaluation. SEL can help address various forms of inequity and empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities.

SEL Core Competencies and OUSD SEL Standards

5 SEL competencies and focal constructs