Casel (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning)

CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) is a Chicago-based nonprofit and a leading authority on social and emotional learning (SEL) in education. The organization was established following a 1994 meeting hosted by the Fetzer Institute and was based at the University of Illinois in Chicago from 1996 to 2006 before becoming independent. Its mission is to make evidence-based SEL an integral part of education from preschool through high school.

CASEL is best known for its SEL framework—often called the "CASEL Wheel"—which defines five interrelated competency areas: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Research tied to this framework shows that SEL interventions increased students' academic performance by 11 percentage points compared to non-participating peers.

Through its Collaborating States Initiative, launched in 2016, CASEL has grown state-level SEL engagement from 8 states to 37 states and the District of Columbia, now representing more than 75% of U.S. districts, schools, teachers, and students. Innovations in SEL curriculum, assessment tools, or educator professional development are directly relevant to CASEL's core policy and research work.