Social and Emotional Learning

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.

As a critical component of behavioral health and wellness, Forest Grove School District works to integrate social emotional learning into core classroom work.

Social and Emotional Learning Core Competencies

According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), the five core competencies of social emotional learning are:

Self-awareness. The abilities to understand one's own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts. This includes the abilities to recognize ones' strengths and areas of growth with a well grounded sense of confidence and purpose.
Self-management. The abilities to manage one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations. This includes the abilities to delay gratification, manage stress, and feel motivation and agency to accomplish personal and collective goals.
Social awareness. The abilities to understand the perspectives and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and contexts. This includes the abilities to feel compassion for others, understand broader historical and social norms for behavior in different settings, and recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.
Relationship skills. The abilities to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups. This includes the abilities to communicate clearly, listen actively, cooperate, work collaboratively to problem solve and negotiate conflict constructively, navigate settings with differing social and cultural demands and opportunities, provide leadership, and seek or offer help when needed.
Responsible decision-making. The abilities to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse situations. This includes the abilities to consider ethical standards and safety concerns, and to evaluate the benefits and consequences of various actions for personal, social, and collective well-being.