Rhode Island is one of a small number of states that has formally endorsed K-12 social-emotional learning standards through its governing education body. In October 2017, the Rhode Island Council for Elementary and Secondary Education endorsed the RI Social Emotional Learning Standards: Competencies for School and Life Success. These are not guidance documents. They are not recommendations. They are endorsed standards, applicable from preschool through adulthood.[1]
Rhode Island then went further. Its MTSS framework (BRIDGE-RI) explicitly lists the RI SEL Standards as Tier 1 core instruction standards alongside ELA, math, and social studies. The state's Health Education Framework, endorsed by the Council in 2022, includes a dedicated section titled “Health Education as a Vehicle for Social and Emotional Learning.” And state law requires all school staff to complete suicide prevention training annually and all students to receive health and physical education instruction averaging at least 20 minutes per school day.[2][3][4]
For Rhode Island elementary educators, the expectations are unusually clear: the state has endorsed SEL standards, positioned them as core Tier 1 instruction within MTSS, connected them to health education, and provided grade-span indicators. The question is not what to teach. The question is how consistently and effectively you deliver it.
Rhode Island's SEL Framework at a Glance
Endorsed SEL Standards
Formally endorsed by governing body (Oct 2017)
Tier 1 Core Instruction
Listed alongside ELA, math, and social studies in BRIDGE-RI
Health Ed Connection
Dedicated “Health Ed as Vehicle for SEL” section (2022)
20 Min/Day Requirement
State law requires daily health & PE instruction
Rhode Island's SEL Standards
Competencies for School and Life Success
The RI SEL Standards are organized around five anchor standards with specific learning standards under each:[1]
1. Self-Awareness
The ability to recognize one's own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior and to assess one's strengths and limitations.
Standards: 1A (emotions), 1B (help-seeking), 1C (rights/responsibilities), 1D (strengths/assets), 1E (prejudices/biases)
2. Self-Management
The ability to regulate one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations and to set and work toward personal and academic goals.
Standards: 2A (manage emotions/stress), 2B (materials/time), 2C (goals), 2D (resilience/growth mindset)
3. Social Awareness
The ability to take the perspective of others and empathize with them, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Standards: 3A (social cues), 3B (diversity/respect), 3C (empathy), 3D (leadership), 3E (community contribution)
4. Relationship Skills
The ability to communicate clearly, listen well, cooperate with others, resist inappropriate social pressures, and seek and offer help when needed.
Standards: 4A (communication), 4B (maintain relationships), 4C (conflict resolution), 4D (helping others)
5. Responsible Decision-Making
The ability to make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on ethical standards, safety concerns, and social norms.
Standards: 5A (problem-solving), 5B (tools/strategies), 5C (impact evaluation), 5D (ethical factors), 5E (external influences)
Published in English and Spanish
The RI SEL Standards document is published bilingually, reflecting the state's commitment to equitable access for its multilingual population.[1]
SEL Indicators by Grade Span
RIDE provides SEL Indicators describing what the standards look like at elementary, middle, and high school levels.[5]
SEL as Tier 1 Core Instruction in MTSS
BRIDGE-RI
Rhode Island's MTSS framework, BRIDGE-RI, is explicit about where SEL standards sit: Tier 1 core instruction “should be fully aligned to RIDE-adopted content standards” and the framework lists the RI SEL Standards alongside ELA/Literacy, Mathematics, and Social Studies.[3]
BRIDGE-RI Tier 1 Core Instruction Standards
ELA/Literacy
Mathematics
Social Studies
SEL Standards
SEL is positioned at the same structural level as academic standards
This is significant. Rhode Island does not treat SEL as a supplementary program or a counseling-only responsibility. It positions SEL standards at the same structural level as academic standards within the state's multi-tiered system of supports.
Tier 3
Intensive individualized support
Tier 2
Targeted social-emotional interventions
Tier 1 — Universal SEL Instruction
All students receive instruction aligned to RI SEL Standards
A 40-week curriculum covering all five SEL anchor standards serves as the Tier 1 instruction that BRIDGE-RI expects.
The Health Education Framework
Health Education as a Vehicle for Social and Emotional Learning
The Rhode Island Health Education Framework, endorsed by the Council in 2022, includes a dedicated section titled “Health Education as a Vehicle for Social and Emotional Learning.” RIDE explicitly states that it “supports health education as a vehicle for supporting social and emotional skills.”[6]
The framework covers seven content areas:[7]
The 20-Minute Daily Requirement
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-22-4
All K-12 students must receive instruction in health and physical education averaging at least 20 minutes per school day (100 minutes per week). Recess, free play, and after-school activities do not count.[4]
This daily time requirement creates a structural vehicle for delivering both health education and social-emotional instruction. Schools that integrate SEL into their health education programming satisfy both the time requirement and the SEL standards simultaneously.
Comprehensive Health Instructional Outcomes
The Mental and Emotional Health instructional outcomes include:[7][8]
Grades K-4
- •Understanding feelings and how they affect behavior
- •Identifying healthy ways to express emotions
- •Recognizing the importance of self-control
- •Building positive relationships
- •Identifying trusted adults
Grades 5-6
- •Healthy emotional attitudes and behavior
- •Positive feelings about self and others
- •Meeting the demands of life
- •Making constructive adjustments
Suicide Prevention Training
Annual Requirement for All Staff
Rhode Island General Laws § 16-21-7 requires all school staff (teachers, substitutes, nurses, coaches, volunteers) in public schools to complete a suicide prevention training course annually from the RIDE-approved list. The training must include appropriate mental health services within school and community and when and how to refer youth and families to services.[9]
The annual suicide prevention training for all staff connects directly to SEL instruction: students who develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, help-seeking skills, and the ability to identify trusted adults are building the capacities that suicide prevention depends on.
The Trauma-Informed Schools Act (2022)
Rhode Island signed the Trauma-Informed Schools Act into law in June 2022, establishing a commission to assist RIDE with implementation. The act requires the development of trauma-informed practices across Rhode Island schools.[10]
Social-emotional instruction complements trauma-informed practices by teaching students the self-regulation, emotional identification, communication, and help-seeking skills they need to manage stress and adversity. A school where adults are trained in trauma-informed practices and students are taught social-emotional skills creates a stronger support system than either approach alone.
Bullying Prevention
Rhode Island General Laws § 16-21-33 and § 16-21-34 define bullying and cyberbullying and require every school district to adopt a statewide bullying policy. Students who have been taught empathy, conflict resolution, respect, kindness, and communication skills through structured SEL instruction are less likely to engage in bullying and more likely to intervene as bystanders. The RI SEL Standards directly support the bullying prevention mandate.[4]
How to Align Your Elementary Program With Rhode Island's Requirements
Step 1: Map to the RI SEL Standards
The state has endorsed K-12 SEL standards with five anchor standards and specific learning standards under each. Document how your curriculum addresses all five. A CASEL-aligned curriculum maps directly because the RI standards use the same five-competency framework.
Step 2: Build Your BRIDGE-RI Tier 1
The MTSS framework lists SEL standards as Tier 1 core instruction. Your curriculum is that instruction. Document how it serves the Tier 1 function, how it connects to your screening processes, and how students who need additional support are identified for Tier 2 and Tier 3.
Step 3: Address Health Education Requirements
Document how your curriculum covers the Mental and Emotional Health content within the Comprehensive Health Instructional Outcomes. A comprehensive scope and sequence across 40 weeks covers the social-emotional content within both the SEL standards and the health education outcomes.
Step 4: Integrate With the Daily Time Requirement
Rhode Island requires 20 minutes per day of health and physical education. Social-emotional instruction delivered through health education satisfies both the time requirement and the SEL standards. Document how your SEL curriculum integrates into the daily health education block.
Step 5: Connect to Suicide Prevention and Bullying Prevention
Document how your social-emotional instruction supports both the suicide prevention mandate and the bullying prevention policy. A curriculum that teaches self-awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, conflict resolution, and help-seeking skills directly serves both requirements.
Communicating With Rhode Island Parents
Reference the Endorsed Standards
“Rhode Island has endorsed Social Emotional Learning Standards that describe the skills every student should develop, from preschool through adulthood. Our program teaches these skills through structured weekly lessons: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.”
Connect to the MTSS Framework
“Our school uses a multi-tiered system of supports to ensure every student gets what they need. Social-emotional instruction is part of the foundation of that system, taught to all students alongside reading, math, and other academic subjects.”
Be Concrete
“Students learn to identify and manage their emotions, resolve disagreements peacefully, set and pursue goals, show empathy and kindness toward others, demonstrate resilience when things are hard, and make responsible decisions. These are the skills Rhode Island's SEL Standards describe.”
Choosing a Curriculum for Rhode Island Schools
When selecting social-emotional curriculum for your Rhode Island elementary school, verify that the program:
Aligns with the RI SEL Standards. All five anchor standards and their learning standards should be addressed at developmentally appropriate levels.
Functions as a BRIDGE-RI Tier 1 component. The MTSS framework lists SEL standards as Tier 1 core instruction. Your curriculum serves that role.
Addresses health education instructional outcomes. Mental and Emotional Health is a required content area at every grade span.
Maps to CASEL competencies. Rhode Island's SEL standards align directly with CASEL's framework. A CASEL-aligned curriculum fits immediately.
Provides grade-band differentiation. Programs that provide distinct content for upper elementary match the developmental progression.
Offers a full-year scope and sequence. A program providing 40 weeks of sequenced instruction ensures comprehensive coverage.
Supports evidence-based bullying prevention. Your curriculum should teach empathy, communication, conflict resolution, and respect.
Complements trauma-informed practices. Your curriculum should build self-regulation, emotional identification, and help-seeking skills.
Supports bilingual learners. Rhode Island's SEL standards are published in English and Spanish. Bilingual curriculum matches this commitment.
Requires no devices or student accounts. Device-free, teacher-led programs eliminate data privacy concerns.
Requires minimal prep. Programs that provide ready-to-use weekly lessons are more likely to be implemented consistently.
What to Avoid
Treating endorsed standards as optional
The RI SEL Standards were endorsed by the Council for Elementary and Secondary Education, the same body that endorses academic standards. They are listed as Tier 1 core instruction standards within BRIDGE-RI alongside ELA, math, and social studies. A school that treats them as optional extras is out of step with the state's MTSS framework.
Separating SEL from health education
The Health Education Framework includes a dedicated section connecting health education to SEL. RIDE explicitly supports health education as a vehicle for social-emotional skills. Schools that run health education and SEL as separate programs are maintaining parallel tracks when the state has drawn the connection between them.
Implementing MTSS without SEL at Tier 1
BRIDGE-RI lists the RI SEL Standards as Tier 1 core instruction. A school that implements academic and behavioral tiers without structured social-emotional instruction has an incomplete MTSS framework according to the state's own framework document. The SEL curriculum fills that gap.
Using free resources without a scope and sequence
Individual lessons are useful supplements, but a collection of standalone materials is not a curriculum. Without a scope and sequence that ensures all five anchor standards are covered systematically across the year, instruction becomes episodic rather than developmental. The endorsed standards describe a progression. The curriculum must deliver one.
Final Thoughts
Rhode Island has done something most states have not: it endorsed K-12 SEL standards through its governing education body, positioned them as Tier 1 core instruction within its MTSS framework, connected them to health education through a dedicated framework section, required daily health education instruction, mandated annual suicide prevention training for all school staff, and enacted a Trauma-Informed Schools Act.
The standards exist. The MTSS framework expects them. The health education connection is explicit. The time requirement provides the vehicle. The standards document is published in English and Spanish.
For Rhode Island elementary schools, the path forward is practical: choose a program that aligns with all five SEL anchor standards, functions as Tier 1 instruction within BRIDGE-RI, addresses the health education Mental and Emotional Health outcomes, and delivers structured instruction to every student, every week, all year.
Rhode Island endorsed the standards. BRIDGE-RI positioned them as core instruction. The students need the skills. Start there.
References
- Rhode Island Department of Education. RI Social Emotional Learning Standards: Competencies for School and Life Success. Endorsed October 24, 2017.
https://ride.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur806/files/Portals/0/Uploads/Documents/Students-and-Families-Great-Schools/Health-Safety/Social-Emotional-Learning/RI-SEL-Standards-Linked.pdf - Rhode Island Department of Education. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL).
https://ride.ri.gov/students-families/health-safety/social-emotional-learning - Rhode Island Department of Education. Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS).
https://ride.ri.gov/instruction-assessment/instructional-initiatives-resources/multi-tiered-system-supports-mtss - Rhode Island Department of Education. Health and Safety.
https://ride.ri.gov/students-families/health-safety - BRIDGE-RI. Behavior/SEL: Tier 1.
https://www.mtssri.org/mod/page/view.php?id=462&forceview=1 - Rhode Island Department of Education. Curriculum Framework for Health Education (2022).
https://ride.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur806/files/Portals/0/Uploads/Documents/Instruction-and-Assessment-World-Class-Standards/Other-Subjects/RIDE_Health_Ed_Framework_2022.pdf - Rhode Island Department of Education. Other Subjects: Health Education and Physical Education.
https://ride.ri.gov/instruction-assessment/other-subjects - Rhode Island Department of Education. Comprehensive Health Instructional Outcomes (2015).
https://ride.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur806/files/2024-03/RI_CHI_Outcomes.pdf - Rhode Island Department of Education. Annual School Health Report Guidance (2026-2027).
https://ride.ri.gov/sites/g/files/xkgbur806/files/2026-04/FAQ-Annual-School-Health-Report-Guidance-2026-2027.pdf - Rhode Island Department of Education. School Mental Health.
https://ride.ri.gov/students-families/health-safety/school-mental-health - Rhode Island Department of State. Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs (216-RICR-20-10-4).
https://rules.sos.ri.gov/Regulations/part/216-20-10-4?reg_id=11495 - Durlak, J. A., Weissberg, R. P., Dymnicki, A. B., Taylor, R. D., & Schellinger, K. B. (2011). The impact of enhancing students' social and emotional learning: A meta-analysis of school-based universal interventions. Child Development, 82(1), 405-432.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8624.2010.01564.x - Cipriano, C., Strambler, M. J., Naples, L. H., et al. (2023). The state of evidence for social and emotional learning: A contemporary meta-analysis of universal school-based SEL interventions. Child Development, 94(5), 1181-1204.
https://doi.org/10.1111/cdev.13968
Social-Emotional Learning for Rhode Island Schools
Be The Buffalo aligns with Rhode Island's endorsed SEL Standards and Health Education Framework. 40 weeks of K-5 curriculum covering all five anchor standards: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
Interactive projector activities, original songs, stories, printable worksheets, and teacher guides. Bilingual English and Spanish, matching Rhode Island's bilingual SEL standards. No student accounts. No devices. No prep. Built to serve as your Tier 1 SEL instruction within BRIDGE-RI.
Related Resources
SEL Curriculum for Elementary Schools
How to evaluate and choose a CASEL-aligned SEL curriculum for K-5 schools.
Best Character Education Curriculum
What to look for in a K-5 character education program that combines character traits with social-emotional skills.
Connecticut SEL Requirements
How Connecticut's State Board-approved SEIH framework, school climate legislation, and statewide DESSA assessment create expectations for social-emotional instruction.
New York SEL Requirements
What New York schools are expected to teach under the state's SEL benchmarks, mental health education mandate, and Dignity for All framework.
New York SEL Requirements
How New York's SEL benchmarks and health education standards create expectations for social-emotional instruction.