Development and Validation of the Social and Emotional Learning Observation Checklist for Elementary School (SELOC-E)

Funding Source: Institute of Education Sciences

Team: Chris Cipriano, Almut Zieher, Craig Bailey, Michael Strambler, Joanna Meyer, Cheyeon Ha, Zoë Soeters, and Linda Torv

The SELOC-E is an observation tool for elementary classrooms specifically designed to capture SEL pedagogy that enhances student learning. The SELOC-E helps practitioners and researchers to: (1) measure discrete theoretically supported pedagogies fostered by effective SEL curricula; (2) identify key growth areas in practice to support teacher SEL instruction and promote best practice in the delivery of SEL curricula, and (3) understand how these practices are associated with student social, behavioral, and academic outcomes. The team is developing the SELOC-E through a mixed-methods design grounded in action research to support the resulting tool’s immediate practical utility within school, state, and district assessment frameworks.

During the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years, we are piloting the SELOC-E alongside 50+ SEL leaders and 300 K-5 classrooms to establish initial evidence of psychometric properties and refine the observation tool and system. We will also conduct a cost analysis of SELOC-E implementation to inform dissemination.

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