April 22, 2021 at 6:00 PM - Board of Education Curriculum Committee Meeting

We currently use the instructional resource, Second Step

We are bringing forward a new instructional resource PreK-Gr. 8, RULER, (Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing, Regulating) by the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence

RULER is unique in that it has a primary focus on building adult SEL competencies. This is critical, as children learn to identify and regulate their feelings primarily via adult modeling of those skills. In addition, the focus on adult well-being is timely after a stressful year.

RULER anchor tools support the development of feelings identification, a foundational SEL skill and an area for growth for students in Bethel.

RULER has potential to support students who are experiencing internalizing problems such as anxiety and depression. This is important because our data points to internalizing problems as being a primary area of concern for our students.

We selected this resource for several reasons:

• Evidence-based, with established positive impact on student behavior, academics, or SEL competencies as defined by the CASEL framework.

• Universal for all students.

• Designed for implementation in the classroom and academic integration

• Includes explicit SEL skills instruction.

• Includes extensive initial training and ongoing support for implementation

• Culturally relevant and inclusive in order to ensure equity

• Includes development of adult SEL competencies

• Includes a family component and/or parent training

• Utilizes appealing resources and an authentic approach to better engage students

Total cost for training and implementation at the building and district levels in 2021-2023= $27,000. 

Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, a subscription to the RULER Implementation online platform will cost $1000 per year per school building for a total cost of $4000 total per year.