Inner Explorer

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Designated
SEL-Supportive Program
Indicates that a program meets either the SELect or Promising evidence criteria for improving student or teacher outcomes, but does not fully meet all necessary program design criteria. These programs could be a beneficial part of systemic SEL implementation. To learn more, access CASEL’s updated criteria brief (pdf).

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    Program description

    Inner Explorer provides a lesson-based approach to SEL, specializing in mindfulness practices. It includes programming for grades PreK-12 and demonstrates evidence of effectiveness at grade 3. Translations of materials and recordings for the program are available in Spanish.

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        • SEL lessons
        • Positive classroom management
        • SEL generalization
        • Adult SEL
        • Family Intervention Component
        • School Involvement
        • Activities and Resources for Home
      • Onsite in-person training
      • Virtual training
      • Offsite training
      • Train the trainer model
      • Administrator support
      • Coaching
      • Technical assistance
      • Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
      • Online resource library
      • Self-report tools for monitoring implementation
      • Observational tools
      • Tools for measuring student success

    Evidence of effectiveness

    Results from a quasi-experimental (QE) evaluation conducted in the 2011-2012 school year (published in 2015) supported the effectiveness of the Inner Explorer program for elementary school students. This evaluation included 191 grade 3 students in the US Midwest (23% of students were eligible for FRPL). This evaluation found that students receiving the Inner Explorer program showed significantly greater growth in teacher-reported reading and science grades than the control group (outcomes reported approximately eight weeks after baseline, while controlling for outcome pretest).

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    • Evidence shown in grades
      3
      School characteristics
        • Suburban
        • Midwest
      Student characteristics
      • Low income
      Percentage Low Income
      • Eligible for FRPL: 23%
      Study design type
      • QE
      Greater than 350 students included in study design type
      • No
      Multiple school districts included at study design type
      • No
      • Improved academic performance
      • Reduced emotional distress
      • Improved identity development and agency
      • Reduced problem behaviors
      • Improved school climate
      • Improved school connectedness
      • Improved social behaviors
      • Improved teaching practices
      • Improved other SEL skills and attitudes

    How does Inner Explorer support SEL implementation across multiple settings?

    “Inner Explorer is an audio guided mindfulness based SEL program that uses daily practice as "Inside-Out" learning to level the cognitive playing field. The program provides 4 age appropriate series for PK-12, employs educators and families as co-learners and is cost effective for individual schools or entire districts to create sustainability. ”

    Get info and pricing on the provider’s website

    Go to Provider Site

    References

    • Accepted by CASEL

    • Bakosh, L. S., Snow, R. M., Tobias, J. M., Houlihan, J. L., & Barbosa-Leiker, C. (2016). Maximizing mindful learning: Mindful awareness intervention improves elementary school students’ quarterly grades. Mindfulness, 7(1), 59-67
    • Other references

    • Bakosh, L. S., Mortlock, J. M. T., Querstret, D., & Morison, L. (2018). Audio-guided mindfulness training in schools and its effect on academic attainment: Contributing to theory and practice. Learning and Instruction, 34-41.
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