This volume focuses on social and emotional learning (SEL) from a variety of perspectives. The goal of the volume is to offer a clear framing of SEL in relation to other related out-of-school time concepts and initiatives. SEL has gained popularity as a concept in recent years and there remains confusion as well as great interest in the meaning and implementation of SEL in OST. Policymakers, researchers, and practitioners are pursuing work related to SEL in OST and this volume offers an opportunity to share that work by: - Defining and explaining SEL in a variety of out of school contexts and highlighting opportunities for integration and alignment with other fields (e.g., formal education) - Clarifying the language and framework confusion and honoring the field's foundation in thinking about social and emotional development through high quality youth development practice - Sharing information about current trends and new developments and how that work is shaping the field across the developmental continuum - Making the research to practice connection by including in each chapter foundational research on the topic, evidence of effective efforts, and practical implications - Offering recommendations for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers related to SEL in OST settings

This volume focuses on social and emotional learning (SEL) from a variety of perspectives. The goal of the volume is to offer a clear framing of SEL in relation to other related out-of-school time concepts and initiatives. SEL has gained popularity as a concept in recent years and there remains confusion as well as great interest in the meaning and implementation of SEL in OST. Policymakers, researchers, and practitioners are pursuing work related to SEL in OST and this volume offers an opportunity to share that work by: - Defining and explaining SEL in a variety of out of school contexts and highlighting opportunities for integration and alignment with other fields (e.g., formal education) - Clarifying the language and framework confusion and honoring the field's foundation in thinking about social and emotional development through high quality youth development practice - Sharing information about current trends and new developments and how that work is shaping the field across the developmental continuum - Making the research to practice connection by including in each chapter foundational research on the topic, evidence of effective efforts, and practical implications - Offering recommendations for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers related to SEL in OST settings

Current Issues in Out-of-School Time, is designed with a purpose to disseminate original research and promising practices that further the OST field. This first book sets the foundation on which the series rests upon, by offering an analysis of the progress made since the 2000s, as well as by looking toward the future for areas of considerations.

The authors draw upon scientific studies, theories, site visits, nd their own extensive experiences to describe approaches to social and emotional learning for all levels.

This volume focuses on social and emotional learning (SEL) from a variety of perspectives. The goal of the volume is to offer a clear framing of SEL in relation to other related out-of-school time concepts and initiatives. SEL has gained popularity as a concept in recent years and there remains confusion as well as great interest in the meaning and implementation of SEL in OST. Policymakers, researchers, and practitioners are pursuing work related to SEL in OST and this volume offers an opportunity to share that work by: • Defining and explaining SEL in a variety of out of school contexts and highlighting opportunities for integration and alignment with other fields (e.g., formal education) • Clarifying the language and framework confusion and honoring the field’s foundation in thinking about social and emotional development through high quality youth development practice • Sharing information about current trends and new developments and how that work is shaping the field across the developmental continuum • Making the research to practice connection by including in each chapter foundational research on the topic, evidence of effective efforts, and practical implications • Offering recommendations for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers related to SEL in OST settings ENDORSEMENTS "The social and emotional development of our nation's youth is a common, essential concern of those working in school and out of school. This volume will be the catalyst for long overdue conversation, collaboration, and synergy. It is essential reading for practitioners, researchers, and policy makers in both contexts who are concerned with preparing children for the tests of life, and not a life of tests." ~ Maurice J. Elias, Ph.D., Rutgers University, Co-director, Academy for Social-Emotional Learning in Schools and After School Settings "Having spent all of my adult life working with, and advocating for, high-quality youth programming, I understand the critical role out-of-school-time (OST) programs play in the social and emotional development of young people. As the Executive Director of the New York State Network for Youth Success, I am thrilled to see such a comprehensive view of current best practices and research on social-emotional learning (SEL) in OST programs. It is exciting and encouraging to see so much documented progress with SEL in OST condensed into one comprehensive book that furthers understanding of both research-informed practices and systems building around policy. This book, edited by two leading researchers in the field, Elizabeth Devaney and Deborah Moroney, should be required reading for any practitioners, policy makers, and educators in the field. Both the editors' and contributors' emphasis on making SEL an "intentional practice" is the exact conversation we all should be having right now." ~ Kelly Malone Sturgis, Executive Director, New York State Network for Youth Success "Social Emotional Learning and Out-Of-School-Time: Foundations and Futures is an extremely important and timely publication. The scope and depth of this work makes it a must read for any serious out-of-school-time or K-12 educator. In 2014 California identified social emotional learning as the most promising bridge to bring coherence between expanded learning programs and the school day. (A Vision for Expanded Learning in California – Strategic Plan 2014-2016) I have found this to be the exact case. All across California, school day and out-of-school-time professionals are having deep and authentic conversations about youth centered collaborative efforts. We also know that providing social emotional development opportunities is a corner stone for any high quality out-of-school-time program. I plan to share this publication widely with K-12 educators, policy makers, parents and so many others." ~ Michael Funk, Director, Expanded Learning Division, California Department of Education Book reviews: Journal of Youth Development: Book Review—Social and Emotional Learning in Out-of-School-Time: Foundations and Futures Youth Today: Outstanding Insights About SEL in OST in Major Book

It Takes an Ecosystem explores the idea and potential of the Allied Youth Fields—an aspirational term that suggests increased connection across the multiple systems in which adults engage with young people. Recent research and initiatives make a strong case for what developmentalists have argued for decades: A young person’s learning and development is shaped in positive and negative ways by the interactions they have with all the adults in their life. Now is the time to reshape our systems to support this scientific understanding. The chapters in this book provide ideas, tools, examples, and visions for a more connected, more equitable world for young people and the adults in their lives. Endorsements for It Takes an Ecosystem "It Takes an Ecosystem offers a powerful and timely engagement of the possibilities and challenges facing the Out-of-School Time sector…this book charts a path forward for scholars, practitioners, community members to imagine OST anew---in ways that are socially just and affirming, centered on the optimal development of youth and the power of community." — Bianca Baldridge University of Wisconsin Madison "The book’s emphasis on an ecosystem approach, anchored in commitments to equity and racial justice, combines evidence-based analyses with a future-oriented call to action for the allied youth fields. This book will be a must-read for those committed to radically re-thinking how we bring sectors together to support thriving for children and youth." Ben Kirshner University of Colorado

This open access volume critically reviews a diverse body of scholarship and practice that informs the conceptualization, curriculum, teaching and measurement of life skills in education settings around the world. It discusses life skills as they are implemented in schools and non-formal education, providing both qualitative and quantitative evidence of when, with whom, and how life skills do or do not impact young women’s and men’s lives in various contexts. Specifically, it examines the nature and importance of life skills, and how they are taught. It looks at the synergies and differences between life skills educational programmes and the way in which they promote social and emotional learning, vocational/employment education, and health and sexuality education. Finally, it explores how life skills may be better incorporated into education and how such education can address structures and relations of power to help youth achieve desired future outcomes, and goals set out in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Life skills education has gained considerable attention by education policymakers, researchers and educators as being the sine qua non for later achievements in life. It is nearly ubiquitous in global and national education policies, including the SDGs, because life skills are regarded as essential for a diverse set of purposes: reducing poverty, achieving gender equality, promoting economic growth, addressing climate change, fostering peace and global citizenship, and creating sustainable and healthy communities. Yet, to achieve these broad goals, questions persist as to which life skills are important, who needs to learn them, how they can be taught, and how they are best measured. This book addresses these questions.