The Association for Texas Professional Educators recently featured AISD's Department of Social and Emotional Learning in its latest issue or ATPE News, the organization's quarterly magazine. The article described the benefits of SEL on students’ academic success and behavior. The story also outlined details of the district's SEL initiative, describing AISD as being "at the forefront of Social Emotional Learning."

AISD was one of three school districts in the nation chosen to join the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning. The district began offering SEL programs during the 2011-12 school year, and has been rolling out programs throughout vertical teams every year since. By the 2015-16 school year, every school in the district will have access to SEL programs and resources.

Currently, the vertical teams who receive SEL programming are: Austin, Crockett, Eastside Memorial, McCallum, Travis and Akins. Schools in these vertical teams receive support that influences campus climate and culture and are provided with explicit instruction, lessons and curriculum integration implemented by the schools' teachers, counselors and principals.

The district's SEL program is yet another shining examples of the district's committment to providing every child with an equal opportunity to receive an exemplary public education.

Click here for more recent news on AISD's SEL program.