DPI SEL Competencies

The School District of Waukesha, along with public schools across the country, continue to focus efforts and hone practices surrounding the need to support the social and emotional needs of all students. To this end, the WI Department of Public Instruction teamed with professionals across the state to research and develop the SEL Competencies for the state of Wisconsin, which were released in May of 2018. These competencies span pre-K through adulthood and are rooted in three primary categories: emotional development, self-concept, and social competence. Skills are further broken down within each of these areas to further articulate and understand what comprises healthy SEL at all ages and developmental levels. Research has been very clear that providing a strong universal level of SEL braided throughout a student's day and throughout cross-curricular areas pays large dividends when it comes to increasing academic achievement, reducing office referrals, and increasing the overall mental wellness and functioning of our students. This is why so many districts across the county, and the state of Wisconsin in particular, have increasingly focused on SEL and mental health despite any federal mandates or statutory obligations to do so. We simply know it is the right thing to do for our students and the future of our society! I encourage you to take a look at these competencies for the grade levels you work with and start thinking about how you infuse these within your own content area and interactions with your students on a day-to-day basis.

Enjoy the last three weeks of school and have a great weekend. You've earned it!