• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

SEL Center

Center to Improve Social and Emotional Learning and School Safety

  • Peer Collaboratives
    • Transforming Kindergarten
    • Data for Truth and Action
    • Comprehensive School Safety
    • Alignment, Coherence, and Strategic Communication
  • State Profiles
  • Resources
  • News
  • Events
  • About
    • Our Work
    • Our Team
    • Contact Us

Resources

Design Principles for Schools: Putting the Science of Learning and Development Into Action

Pamela Cantor, Christina Theokas, Elizabeth Tijerina, Turnaround for Children; Linda Darling-Hammond, Laura E. Hernández, Abby Schachner, Sara Plasencia, Learning Policy Institute

  • View this resource

This playbook is a collaborative product that provides the scientific foundation for the Guiding Principles for Equitable Whole Child Design:

  • Positive Developmental Relationships
  • Environments Filled With Safety and Belonging
  • Rich Learning Experiences and Knowledge Development
  • Development of Skills, Habits, and Mindsets
  • Integrated Support Systems

The playbook then illustrates ways to apply these principles in schools. When these principles are integrated and applied to structures, systems, and practices, they promote authentic and rich opportunities for learning and development and the experiences and conditions where young people can discover who they are and who they can become.

Design Principles for Schools Playbook

Published

June 9, 2021

Topic

Adult SEL Alignment and Coherence Data-Driven Cycles of Improvement Getting Started Integration with Academics Race & Equity School Safety Sustainable Implementation

Category

Evidence Base & Research Professional Learning & Practice

Audience

Educators & Caregivers Local Leaders

Resource Type

Actionable Tools/Guides

Back to Resources

Footer

Center to Improve Social and Emotional Learning and School Safety
  • Peer Collaboratives
    • Transforming Kindergarten
    • Data for Truth and Action
    • Comprehensive School Safety
    • Alignment, Coherence, and Strategic Communication
  • State Profiles
  • Resources
  • News
  • Events
  • About
    • Our Work
    • Our Team
    • Contact Us

Learn about new SEL & School Safety Resources

Receive our newsletter with the latest SEL & School Safety news, opportunities, and resources

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

The Center to Improve Social and Emotional Learning and School Safety is a project of WestEd. WestEd is a nonpartisan, nonprofit research, development, and service agency that partners with education and other communities to promote excellence, achieve equity, and improve learning for children and adults.

This site and its contents copyright © 2018-2025 WestEd. All rights reserved.

Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Accessibility | Visit WestEd.org