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Board adopts R‑4 social‑emotional learning report and agrees to K–3 indicator revisions
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Summary
The De Forest Area School District board accepted the R‑4 report on connectedness, citizenship and wellness, voted to separate K–3 from grades 4–6 for SEL benchmarking, and approved capacity-building additions including a high‑school counselor and an elementary dean funded via reallocated district positions.
The De Forest Area School District Board of Education voted to accept the board policy R‑4 report, which presents district indicators for connectedness, citizenship and wellness, and to pursue recommended indicator revisions that distinguish early elementary (K–3) development from older grades.
Administrators presented the R‑4 findings, saying 13 of the 17 indicators meet benchmarks while three SEL competencies at the elementary/intermediate level fall below the current 80 percent threshold; one indicator remains a baseline under development. Presenters recommended changing the K–3 benchmark language from a proficiency standard to a developmentally appropriate “developing” threshold at 80 percent, and leaving the 4–6 (intermediate) threshold at a higher expectation. The board discussed measurement approaches, the limits of student‑survey data and complementary evidence such as extracurricular participation and ACP exit interview results.
“We want our youngest students to really get strong SEL skills that then translate going up,” a presenter said, explaining why the K–3 rubric should reflect developmental support rather than independent proficiency.
Board members supported adding attendance indicators as results measures and asked for additional grade‑level breakdowns and education for the board on SEL rating scales. The board also approved several capacity-building items highlighted in the report, including adding a counselor at the high school and an additional dean at elementary level; district administrators said those would be funded primarily through position reallocation and attrition rather than layoffs.
The motion to accept the report and proceed with the recommended indicator changes passed on a voice vote. The administration will bring back more detailed grade-level data and proposed benchmark language for final policy wording.
