Transforming State Education Policy Through a Whole Child Approach

Transforming learning environments to support whole child approaches to education is essential to meeting the full scope of students’ social, emotional, and academic needs and to prepare them to succeed in our global economy. Shifting towards a whole child approach has far-reaching implications for our education system and requires practice and policy approaches informed by the science of learning and development (SoLD). This webinar series explores the various elements of whole child policy featured in the Whole Child Policy Toolkit and shares insights from state and district policymakers who have engaged in efforts to shift toward whole child education. The series will explore five key elements of whole child policy:

1. Setting a Whole Child Vision
2. Transforming Learning Environments
3. Building Adult Capacity and Expertise
4. Investing Resources Equitably and Efficiently
5. Redesigning Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Accountability

Speakers include state and district policymakers who have engaged in efforts to shift toward whole child education.

Putting the Science of Learning and Development Into Practice

October 26, 2022 | In this webinar, experts discussed what whole child design looks like and what it means for broader systems change. Local education leaders provided lessons learned from their whole child design efforts and discussed how state policy can accelerate or impede these efforts. Watch video recording >>

Setting a Whole Child Vision

December 7, 2022 | In this webinar, experts shared actions states can take to foster coherence and alignment around a whole child vision, including assessing statewide needs and assets and building data systems for continuous improvement. State leaders who have taken on this work also described their process to create a whole child vision and share lessons learned. Watch video recording >>

Transforming Learning Environments

January 18, 2023 | This webinar took a deep dive into actions states can take to transform learning environments based on the science of learning and development, including creating safe and inclusive, relationship-centered classrooms and schools. Speakers also discussed other essential approaches to creating whole child environments, such as adopting restorative practices and building integrated student support systems. Experts and state leaders who have taken on this work shared lessons learned. Watch video recording >>

Building Adult Capacity and Expertise

March 1, 2023 | Building adult capacity and expertise for whole child design is a key part of developing effective whole child learning systems. Among the elements of capacity building explored in this webinar were: approaches to building strong teacher preparation systems, providing high-quality mentoring and induction programs and professional development, and supporting staff well-being. Watch video recording >>

Investing Resources Equitably and Efficiently

April 12, 2023 | What actions can states take to ensure that resources are invested equitably and efficiently for whole child design? This webinar focuses on the strategies and lessons learned from experts and state leaders who have taken on this work. Watch video recording >>

Redesigning Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Accountability

May 24, 2023, 3–4 p.m. ET | This webinar explores the actions states can take to redesign curriculum, instruction, assessments, and accountability systems in line with the science of learning and development. Experts and state leaders who have taken on this work will discuss lessons learned. Watch video recording >>