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District staff, students report growth from Evolve SEL program; coaches describe districtwide rollout and data collection
Summary
Evolve by Youth Guidance staff and Grayslake CCSD 46 teachers and students described facilitator training, weekly circles and early outcomes during an April 9 board presentation; staff reported 19 groups and more than 241 students served this school year.
Representatives from Youth Guidance’s Evolve program and District 46 facilitators told the board April 9 that the district’s tier‑2 social‑emotional learning (SEL) circles have expanded and are producing positive early feedback from students and staff.
Cathy Lanus, director of professional development and curriculum design for Evolve by Youth Guidance, described the program model: two‑day in‑person training for facilitators, an online learning management system with a 16‑lesson curriculum, weekly circles of eight to 12 students and a coaching structure that includes monthly live districtwide coaching, weekly one‑on‑one check‑ins and on‑call support. “Everyone’s human. We all can grow in these skills for our whole lives,” Megan Itagaki, an Evolve coach, said of the program’s “parallel process” that develops both facilitators and students.
Grayslake staff who serve as facilitators described growth in participation and classroom impact. Doctor Tracy Troasick, a reading specialist, said Evolve “has helped students become more emotionally aware” and improved engagement and self‑efficacy. Yvonne Schmidt, a reading specialist at GMS, said the program grew from two groups last year to 19 groups this school year and that 241 students have participated, with a student wait list.
Facilitators described measurable gains from pre‑ and post‑surveys. Stephanie Helms, an eighth‑grade special education teacher and facilitator, summarized one set of findings from her capstone research: “From pre and post surveys, 60% of students saw an increase in their social awareness and 42% saw an increase in their responsible decision making.” Staff observers also reported that relationship skills and self‑awareness were the most prevalent competencies in classrooms.
Grant Chapman, a GMS school social worker and facilitator, said Evolve’s trauma‑informed approach and facilitator training create a consistent, safe space for students to be vulnerable and share peer support. Park Campus Principal Matt Milamid said the program
