Wayfinder provides a lesson-based approach to SEL and is offered for grades K-12. A CASEL-approved evaluation demonstrates evidence of effectiveness for grades 6-9 and 12. Wayfinder utilizes an online platform with an extensive teacher-facing activity library. The program focuses on developing students’ sense of belonging and purpose.
Strategies supporting educational equity
Wayfinder features strategies for working with bias and customizing for context. This includes opportunities during initial teacher training to deepen self-awareness around biases and assumptions, as well as guidance for tailoring language to be inclusive of students with diverse life experiences.
-
-
- SEL lessons
- Instructional practices
- Relationship building
- Positive classroom management
- SEL generalization
- Shared agreements
- Student voice
-
- Systemic support for SEL
- Adult SEL
- 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Results from a quasi-experimental evaluation conducted in the 2021-22 academic year (unpublished report written in 2022) supported the effectiveness of Wayfinder for public and private school students. This evaluation included 471 students who were in ninth and twelfth grade (Study 1: 31% Asian/Asian American, 30% white, 22% multiracial, 14% Hispanic/Latino; Study 2: 50% white, 29% Hispanic/Latino) in three different schools in the U.S. West region. The study found that students who participated in the program had improved social awareness, identity expression, engagement, and belonging compared to students in the control group (outcomes reported 12 weeks (Study 1) and 28 weeks (Study 2) after baseline) while controlling for outcome pretest.
Results from a QE conducted in the 2022-23 academic year (published in 2024) supported the effectiveness of Wayfinder for public school students. This evaluation included 3,590 students who were in grades 6-8 attending Title I urban and suburban schools in the Southeast (45% white, 26% Hispanic/Latino, 18% Black/African American 45.2% free or reduced-price lunch (FRPL)). The study found that students who participated in the program had improved school safety compared to students in the control group (outcomes reported 32 weeks after baseline) while controlling for outcome pretest, grade, gender, race/ethnicity, special education status, and English learner status.
-
Evidence shown in grades 6, 7, 8, 9, 12School characteristics -
- Rural
- Urban
- Suburban
-
- Southeast
- West
Student characteristics - Asian / Asian American
- Black / African American
- Hispanic / Latinx
- White
- Multi-racial / other
Percentage Low Income - Eligible for FRPL: 45.2%
Study design type - QE
Greater than 350 students included in study design type - Yes
Multiple school districts included at study design type - Yes
-
- 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 Wayfinder support SEL implementation across multiple settings?
“Wayfinder's next-gen curriculum focuses on building the practical life skills that students need to lead lives of meaning and purpose. The flexible curriculum fits a broad range of use cases, including full K-12 rollouts, advisory, adult PD, MTSS, college and career prep, and leadership development. Custom implementation plans are designed with a success coach to fit each school's unique needs.”
Sign up for our newslettersAccess the latest, most trusted information on SEL -