What actions and learning have we been doing?

One elementary school’s innovation inquiry team wondered if they develop a cohesive SEL framework will it enhance the social, emotional, and intellectual engagement of students. The team is working with teacher consultants to develop a cohesive framework for fostering SEL in their school, incorporating professional learning and school-wide initiatives. They are exploring the CASEL wheel as a focal point and the staff has identified the following goals: 1. Direct SEL instruction; and 2. Authentic family partnerships. The staff has also reviewed MDI data and are establishing baseline school-wide data.

How will we know if we are making enough of a difference?

The MDI (Middle Years Developmental Instrument)  data, collected over the last decade in Richmond in partnership with UBC’s Human Early Learning partnership, measures students’ social and emotional wellbeing  and compares results over time, demonstrating trends.

Areas measured by the MDI reflect facets of the “Personal and Social Competency” domain of BC’s Redesigned Curriculum, providing valuable information for understanding children’s growth and progress within this core competency. The MDI questions provide an opportunity for students to self-assess and reflect on their social and personal competency, including reflecting on MDI concepts, questions and results.

The school also worked with the Dalai Lama centre to partner with parents on Heart and Mind education. Feedback from parents who participated was very positive.

The school plans to monitor the MDI data over time (every second year) to examine the impact of their work.