Page 5 - In Focus Newsletter_May 2019

CASDA launches Social-Emotional Learning

(SEL) Curriculum Services

On May 20, CASDA officially launched its new
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum
Services in front of administrators, counselors,
social workers, and teachers from our member
districts. CASDA faculty member Melissa Puglisi
gave an overview of what SEL is and why it's so
important, the benefits of using an integrated SEL
curriculum, the process of building a whole-school
SEL curriculum and how CASDA can aid districts in doing so. She also reviewed examples of SEL
lessons and activities with participants.

If you're interested in learning more about CASDA's SEL Curriculum Services and how they can
help your district build a foundation for student success in school and beyond, contact us today! Call
CASDA Executive Director Michael Piccirillo at 518.512.5198 ext. 6222 or email at
mpiccirillo@casdany.org.

NYKids presents "Positive Youth Development

as an Improvement Resource in Odds-Beating

High Schools"

NYKids recently presented "Positive Youth Development as
an Improvement Resource in Odds-Beating High Schools"
at the American Education Research Association Annual
Conference.

Their findings showed that high schools that effectively serve
culturally and ethnically diverse students are a national
priority. This mixed methods case study examined the design
and practices of high schools called “odds-beaters” because
they have above-average graduation rates for ethnically, linguistically, and socioeconomically diverse
students. Sample high schools were characterized in part by educators’ incorporation of positive
youth development (PYD) priorities. Expressed in the ways educators talk, PYD practices are a school

improvement resource, facilitating students’ engagement, agency, and identity development.

C l i c k h e r e f o r t h e p r e s e n t a t i o n