Summary
Toolbox Project provides a teaching practices and lesson-based approach to SEL and offers programming for grades Pre-K-6. A CASEL-approved evaluation demonstrates evidence of effectiveness at grades K-2. ToolBox Project offers a teacher-facing online content portal that houses lesson plans, extension activities, printables for the classroom, implementation supports, and reports about the program’s research base. Student- and caregiver-facing materials are available in Spanish.
Strategies supporting educational equity (CASEL)
Toolbox Project features strategies for understanding context and customizing for context. This includes facilitator training that explores the influences of social and economic factors and prompts for planning and differentiating instruction to serve specific student needs.
Implementation
Below are key implementation details for this program. These specifications help determine if the program is a good fit for your school or organization.
Grade(s)
Pre-K, Elementary (K-5)
Setting
Classroom, Schoolwide, Home
Cost
For additional information please contact the provider
# Lessons
For additional information please contact the provider
Program Design
Tier 1 (Universal)
Technology Requirements
None Required
Staffing Requirements
No additional staffing required
Professional Development
Onsite In-Person, Virtual, Train the Trainer
Outcomes
Advocate for reducing stigma associated with emotional and mental and behavioral health
Compare & contrast emotional, mental-behavioral illness, mental well-being and concurrent disorders
Decreased suicidal behavior
Describe how self-harm or suicide impacts other people
Describe laws related to minors accessing mental health care
Explain how to help someone who is thinking about attempting suicide
Identify school and community resources that can help a person with emotional, mental and behavioral health concerns
Improved Academic Performance
Improved attitude/behavior related to suicide
Improved identification of individuals at-risk for suicide
Improved Identity Development/ Agency
Improved Prosocial Behavior
Improved School Climate
Improved School Connectedness
Improved SEL Skills and Attitudes
Improved Teaching Practices
Increased help-seeking behavior
Reduced Emotional Distress
Reduced Problem Behavior
Evidence of Effectiveness
Results from a quasi-experimental evaluation conducted in the 2015-16 academic year (published in 2023) supported the effectiveness of the Toolbox Project for public school students. This evaluation included 1766 students in K-2nd grade in an urban school in the U.S. West region (55.3% Hispanic/Latinx, 13.6% Asian/Asian American, 10.9% Black/African American; 67.8% free or reduced-price lunch (FRPL)). The study found that students who participated in the program experienced improved incorporation strategies, as well as improved socio-emotional competence compared to students in the control group (outcomes reported eight weeks after baseline) while controlling for outcome pretest, gender, age, ethnicity, ELL status, special education designation, and FRPL.
Published Studies
Refer to the provided CASEL for the most up-to-date published studies.
Shapiro, V. B., Lee, J., & Kim, B. K. E. (2023). TOOLBOX effects on K-2 student growth in social-emotional competence: Evidence from a quasi-experimental study. Contemporary School Psychology, 27(1), 198-213.