Transformative Life Skills & Dynamic Mindfulness

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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

    Transformative Life Skills & Dynamic Mindfulness, offered by the Niroga Institute, provides a lesson-based approach to SEL, focused on mindfulness. It includes programming for grades 6-12 and demonstrates evidence of effectiveness in grades 6 and 9. Translated materials for Transformative Life Skills are offered in Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, French, Inuktitut.

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        • SEL lessons
        • SEL generalization
        • Shared agreements
        • Adult SEL
        • Peer mentoring
        • Student supports
        • 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 randomized control trial (RCT) published in 2017 supported the effectiveness of Transformative SEL for middle school students. This evaluation was conducted on a sample of 159 grade 6 and 9 students enrolled in a high poverty, urban school in the US West region (Hispanic/Latinx = 54%, multi-racial = 22%, Black/African = 17%). This evaluation found that students who participated in the program self-reported higher school engagement, cognitive restructuring, positive thinking, emotion regulation, and more positive coping skills compared to students in the control group (controlling for outcome pretest and student demographic characteristics).

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    • Evidence shown in grades
      6, 9
      School characteristics
        • Urban
        • West
      Student characteristics
      • Black / African American
      • Hispanic / Latinx
      • Multi-racial / other
      • Low income
      Percentage Low Income
      • Not Specified
      Study design type
      • RCT
      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 Transformative Life Skills & Dynamic Mindfulness support SEL implementation across multiple settings?

    “Our movement-based Dynamic Mindfulness program supports SEL implementation across classroom, school, home and community through training and coaching for adults, training and coaching for Student Peer Leaders, and a range of curricular supports (both online and print), for developing and sustaining a regular community of practice across multiple settings.”

    Get info and pricing on the provider’s website

    Go to Provider Site

    References

    • Accepted by CASEL

    • Frank, J. L., Kohler, K., Peal, A., & Bose, B. (2017). Effectiveness of a school-based yoga program on adolescent mental health and school performance: Findings from a randomized controlled trial. Mindfulness, 8, 544-553.
    • Other references

    • Frank, J. L., Bose, B., & Schrobenhauser-Clonan, A. (2014). Effectiveness of a school-based yoga program on adolescent mental health, stress coping strategies, and attitudes toward violence: Findings from a high-risk sample. Journal of Applied School Psychology, 30, 29-49.
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