SEL Cost Calculator

Each of the four school districts have implemented and staffed for districtwide SEL differently. This calculator will provide you with a sense of the costs to your districts if you were to implement using the same models and staffing in Austin, Chicago, Washoe County, and Wheaton Warrenville.

Instructions

Fill in these seven values in this table.  It is okay to provide estimates, as the resulting calculations are intended to provide you rough numbers to analyze or help you develop your implementation strategy and estimate the per student costs.

As you fill in the table, four charts below will begin to populate.  Each of these charts begins with a summary of the implementation strategy and staffing assumptions for each of those district plans. Detailed assumptions are also provided.

Click here to download the Cost Calculator Discussion Guide to help you or your committee develop your implementation strategy and staffing plan.










Austin Model

Social and Emotional Learning Expansion and Capacity Building

Austin Independent School District phased in SEL over five years through high schools and their feeder schools.

  • Each year 1/5th of schools each send a leadership team to a two day training, are provided multiple onsite professional development sessions by a district SEL Specialist, and receive evidence based program materials and training.
  • Structures to develop and support high implementation at each school include monthly on-site visits and meetings with the SEL Specialist.
  • A focus on engagement outside the district with parents, community, community-based organizations.
  • The SEL budget supports the Research and Evaluation Department to monitor and evaluate fidelity of implementation, as well as proximal and distal outcomes.

Staffing Assumptions:

  • 1.0 full time equivalent (FTE) SEL director
  • 1.0 FTE administrative assistant
  • 1.0 SEL/curriculum specialist
    • Each vertical team (high school and feeder schools) is staffed with a 1.0 FTE SEL specialist starting in the year that vertical team is phased in
  • 1.0 FTE parent education specialist starting in year 4
  • .28 FTE Researcher in years 2 & 3 rising to 1.0 FTE starting in year 4

Click here to download detailed assumptions used to construct the Austin calculator.
Cost Model Year One Year Two Year Three Year Four Year Five Year Six
Leadership Personnel            
Specialists            
Other costs (with per student factor)            
Projected Annual Cost            
Projected Number of Students Served            
Projected Per Student Cost            
Austin Students Served 14,234 35,665 49,931 64,197 85,596 85,596
Austin Per Student Cost $49 $30 $29 $31 $22 $18
             
             

Chicago Model

Social and Emotional Learning Expansion and Capacity Building

Chicago Public Schools organized their SEL implementation around 14 networks to provide professional development and guidance to the 664 schools in CPS. SEL is an integrated strategy for improving academic outcomes and developing safe and supportive school environments. SEL is the umbrella for multi-tiered systems of support, student behavior and mental health, and restorative practices..

  • SEL and multi-tiered systems of support are integrated into a single pronged approach to support student learning of the Common Core State Standards.
  • Evidence-based programs are used at elementary and middle schools to promote student and teacher social and emotional competence.
  • Restorative practices are supported through community providers who provide professional development, coaching and other services.
  • A team of network SEL specialists work with principals and staffs to set goals, foster adult SEL skills, and drive implementation at school and network levels.

Staffing Assumptions:

  • 1.0 full time equivalent (FTE) SEL director
  • Chicago has 4 SEL coordinators. Student enrollment is factored into this calculation.
  • Chicago had 2 SEL specialists in years 1 & 2. Student enrollment is factored in to the calculation for years 1 & 2.
  • Beginning in year 3, Chicago added an SEL Specialist for each of the 14 elementary networks. One SEL specialist is provided for each vertical team/network/unit.

Click here to download detailed assumptions used to construct the Chicago calculator.
Cost Model Year One Year Two Year Three Year Four Year Five Year Six
Leadership Personnel            
Specialists            
Other costs (with per student factor)            
Projected Annual Cost            
Projected Number of Students Served            
Projected Per Student Cost            
Chicago Students Served 9,000 7,000 250,000 300,000 300,000 300,000
Chicago Per Student Cost $700 $1,017 $38 $31 $31 $30
             
             

Washoe County Model

Social and Emotional Learning Expansion and Capacity Building

Washoe County School District utilized the first two years of their implementation to widely educate teachers, pilot strategies with a dozen schools, build consensus building, and develop an intensive three-day training for SEL Leadership Teams from all schools, which took place in years three and four. Each leadership team then leads site-level professional development based on modules provided by the district. Once implementing, each school receives additional professional development, coaching, and consulting by District SEL Specialists.

  • This structured SEL implementation focuses on integration with and support of instruction and student learning of Common Core State Standards.
  • With training and district coaching and support, principal and school site SEL leadership teams provide professional development to school staff and drive local SEL implementation.
    • A low cost strategy for rapid roll out and authentic implementation in classrooms and at school sites.
  • The District supports a high school freshman seminar course focused on teaching the five CASEL competencies, through professional development and curriculum resources.

Staffing Assumptions:

  • .45 full time equivalent (FTE) SEL coordinator
  • .3 FTE administrative assistant
  • Washoe employed 1.15 FTE SEL specialists in year 1, and 2.45 FTE in years 2 & 3, with a gradual increase to 3.9 projected in year 6. Student enrollment is used in calculating SEL specialists. A minimum of 1 FTE SEL specialist is assumed.

Click here to download detailed assumptions used to construct the Washoe County calculator.
Cost Model Year One Year Two Year Three Year Four Year Five Year Six
Leadership Personnel            
Specialists            
Other costs (with per student factor)            
Projected Annual Cost            
Projected Number of Students Served            
Projected Per Student Cost            
Washoe County Students Served 8,042 18,094 36,858 62,324 62,324 62,324
Washoe County Per Student Cost $27 $41 $19 $11 $9 $11
             
             

Wheaton Warrenville Model

Social and Emotional Learning Expansion and Capacity Building

Wheaton Warrenville Community Unit School District 200 has used a low cost strategy to implement SEL districtwide. The initiative is led by the Assistant Superintendent for Student Services, with support from an SEL Design Team, and other district leaders. Key to this strategy is providing SEL training and support to principals, who guide a consistent SEL approach at their schools.

  • The implementation uses existing structures, strategies, and resources to build adult SEL expertise, provide professional development, and guide, monitor, assess, and refine SEL integration.
  • There is an emphasis on keeping costs low and efficiency high through using existing personnel, policies, and structures. The low cost reduces the risk of budget cuts or political changes that might affect the sustainability of SEL.Building and supporting internal SEL leadership, includes empowering a broad-based SEL Design Team, and developing the school principals’ skills and positioning them as site SEL leaders.

Staffing Assumptions:

  • .2 full time equivalent (FTE) of Assistant Superintendent for Student Services

Click here to download detailed assumptions used to construct the Wheaton Warrenville calculator.
Cost Model Year One Year Two Year Three Year Four Year Five Year Six
Leadership Personnel            
Specialists            
Other costs (with per student factor)            
Projected Annual Cost            
Projected Number of Students Served            
Projected Per Student Cost            
Wheaton Warrenville Students Served 13,500 13,500 13,500 13,500 13,500 13,500
Wheaton Warrenville Per Student Cost $3 $3 $3 $4 $6 $3