State-by-state guides to SEL mandates, standards, funding, and compliance for K-5 elementary schools.
Every state approaches social-emotional learning differently. Some have explicit SEL standards. Others weave social-emotional expectations into health education frameworks, character education mandates, school climate accountability systems, or mental health legislation. The result is that even states without standalone “SEL requirements” often have comprehensive expectations for the same skills SEL programs teach.
These guides cut through the complexity for each state. Every article explains what the state actually requires, what it recommends, where the funding comes from, how to document compliance, and how to choose curriculum that aligns with state-specific frameworks. Written for principals, counselors, curriculum coordinators, and district administrators who need to know exactly what their state expects.
We are building guides for every state. If you don't see yours yet, check back soon.
What Michigan schools are expected to teach, what the state provides, and how to align K-5 instruction with MDE's competency framework. Covers the five competencies, MICIP integration, and MTSS alignment.
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How California's Guiding Principles, Transformative SEL framework, LCAP accountability, and School Dashboard create comprehensive expectations for K-5 social-emotional instruction.
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How Texas's character education mandate (TEC §29.906), Health TEKS social-emotional standards, mental health training requirements, and School Safety Allotment funding create expectations for K-5.
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How three intersecting laws — Section 804 (mental health education), the Dignity Act (DASA), and §801-a (character education) — plus voluntary SEL benchmarks create comprehensive expectations for K-5.
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What Illinois schools are required to teach under the nation's first K-12 SEL standards. ISBE's 10 standards, district policy requirements, the CASEL connection, and K-5 compliance.
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What Florida schools are required to teach under character education, health education, and resiliency mandates. A guide to §1003.42, mental health funding, and K-5 compliance.
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What Ohio schools are expected to teach under the state's K-12 SEL standards. How they connect to Each Child Our Future, the Whole Child Framework, and K-5 implementation.
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What Indiana schools are required to teach under the Employability Skills Standards. The unique seven-competency neurodevelopmental framework and K-5 compliance.
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What Georgia schools are required to teach under O.C.G.A. § 20-2-145. The state's 27 required character traits, bullying prevention mandate, and K-5 compliance.
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What Minnesota schools are expected to teach under the Safe and Supportive Schools Act. MDE's SEL competencies, the 2026-2027 mental health instruction mandate, and K-5 alignment.
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What Arizona schools are expected to teach under the mental health instruction mandate, health education standards, and ADE's voluntary SEL competency framework. A guide for K-5 alignment.
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What Pennsylvania schools are expected to teach under the Career Ready Skills framework, school safety acts, and PDE's Wellness Action Planning Guide. How PA CRS domains align with CASEL and what it means for K-5.
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