School leader engagement in strategies to support effective implementation of an SEL program

Study aims were to describe school engagement in strategies to support implementation of a universal SEL program and examine whether strategy engagement predicted end-of-year program adherence (i.e., lesson completion). A multiple case study evaluation was utilized with schools implementing the Second Step® Elementary and Middle School digital program. School implementation leaders (N = 222) completed a survey in fall 2022, indicating level of engagement in four strategies: (1) communication of a shared SEL vision, (2) creation of an implementation plan, (3) identification of data to monitor implementation progress, and (4) provision of SEL training to school staff. They also reported on leader support for the program and barriers to implementation. A small majority of respondents (62%) reported communicating a shared SEL vision to all staff. Less than half to half of respondents (29–51%) reported engaging in the other strategies, and those with an implementation team were more likely to engage in strategies. Schools with a shared SEL vision and an implementation plan were less likely to report encountering barriers to implementation. Having identified data to monitor implementation progress was the only strategy that predicted higher levels of lesson completion.