Oakland Unified School District faced the challenge of supporting student well-being while maintaining academic engagement during periods of disruption and change. Leaders needed resources that helped students feel seen, supported, and connected—without adding instructional burden for teachers.

By leveraging Newsela’s Social Emotional Collection, Oakland USD provided educators with relevant, accessible content that helped embed SEL into everyday instruction. The collection supported meaningful conversations around identity, belonging, and resilience while aligning to academic goals.

Outcome Summary

• Stronger sense of belonging supported through inclusive, student-centered content.
• Increased classroom engagement by connecting SEL topics to real-world experiences.
• Embedded SEL instruction without requiring separate programs or added time.
• Improved classroom discourse around identity, empathy, and community.

Who Should Use This Resource

This resource is designed for:

• District and school administrators.
• SEL and student support leaders.
• Instructional leaders focused on inclusive practices.
• Educators integrating social-emotional learning into core instruction.