Social & Emotional Learning
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Dr. Schultz and the Social Development Lab team collaborate with
Baltimore City Head Start (BCHS) to promote the social and emotional development of its preschool
students. Almost all BCHS preschool teachers are trained in and have access to the Second Step
violence prevention curriculum. This curriculum includes classroom-based lessons on empathy, anger
management, impulse control, and social problem solving. For more information on the Second Step
program, visit their official website.
Dr. Schultz and his staff have collaborated with BCHS in the delivery and evaluation of the Second Step program. Graduate and undergraduate students have completed internships at BCHS centers in which they receive experience delivering the program. In 2006 and 2007, Dr. Schultz and his staff have also conducted separate evaluations of program delivery throughout BCHS. In 2007, Dr. Schultz’ staff finished interviews with all BCHS teachers focused on teacher attitudes toward the program. For these interviews, Dr. Schultz’ graduate student Archana Ambike developed a 31-item questionnaire titled Teacher Attitudes about Social and Emotional Learning (TASEL). To view a description and copy of the TASEL, click here. The TASEL assesses different aspects of why teachers may or may not deliver the program (e.g., they don’t feel supported by administrators to deliver the program, they don’t have time to prepare lessons, they don’t believe social and emotional skills are as important as academic skills). Results from these interviews will not only provide useful information to BCHS to address Second Step implementation issues but also provide the field of prevention science a useful needs assessment tool. |