The Social, Emotional, Character Development (SECD) SECD standards, adopted at the April 2012 meeting of the Kansas State Department of Education are designed to help keep children safe and successful while developing their academic and life skills. With support from the U.S. Department of Education's Partnership in Character Education Grant Program (PCEP), Kansas is the first state to develop such standards.

A committee composed of teachers, counselors, administrators, and parents and let by Kent Reed, program consultant for school counseling with the Kansas State Department of Education, and Sue Kidd (PCEP Coordinator), were charged with ensuring the standards aligned with other state and federal initiatives, including college and career readiness, Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS), 21st Century Skills and Kansas Common Core Standards.

"The adoption of these standards helps fulfill our Board mission, which is to prepare Kansas students for lifelong success through rigorous academic instruction, 21st century career training, and character development according to each student's gifts and talents," said State Board Chairman David Dennis.

Dennis cited research which shows that implementing SECD skills results in improved standardized test scores, including subgroup test scores; increased engagement and motivation for learning; and increases in school attendance with fewer suspensions, expulsions and disciplinary referrals. Reductions in bullying and at-risk behaviors are realized along with improved school climate, improved on-the-job skills and improved teacher morale and retention.

With the adoption of the standards, work will now begin to support a comprehensive implementation of the standards in K-12 classrooms across the state. Kansas SECD Standards do not rely on any identified curriculum but instead are built on the research and best practices of the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) and the Character Education Partnership (CEP).

Please forward comments to Kent Reed, Project Director at kreed@ksde.org.