Social Emotional Learning in Title I schools

Within the Seattle Public School District, schools with a high enrollment number of low-

income students are classified as Title I schools. These schools are typically located in more

urban based communities and the primary focus is providing additional resources and support to

families. The vision amongst Title I schools is to close the achievement and opportunity gaps

among low-income communities and affluent communities. School counselors working in Title I

schools aim to support student’s social/emotional skills to increase school performance. Students

living in urban based communities are more susceptible to mental and physical challenges, inside

and outside of the school building. Some students are homeless, which can become a huge factor

in the development of a child’s social/emotional skills and academic success.

In my experience working in a Title I school I have been exposed to the lack of Social

Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum; which in return showed more students displaying

disruptive and unsafe behaviors. SEL consist of lessons working to effectively enhance and/or

guide children in the knowledge, mindsets, and competence required to understand and regulate

emotions. SEL also works to provide setting and achieving positive goals, displaying empathy

for others while making reasonable decisions. SEL lesson’s consist of the use of a multi-tiered

system of support with lessons that can focus on skill building such as, small lunch groups

learning about friendship skills. Throughout this paper we will dive in more on how SEL impacts

Title I schools.