Summary
Better Together Cubed provides lesson-based and organizational strategies SEL approaches. Better Together Cubed offers programming for Kindergarten through grade 12. A CASEL-approved evaluation demonstrated evidence of effectiveness for grades 6-8. Better Together Cubed utilizes an online platform with teacher-facing and parent/caregiver-facing interfaces, each with audience-specific content and resources that relate to the student-facing lessons in the curriculum. Program materials are available in English and Spanish.
Strategies supporting educational equity (CASEL)
Better Together Cubed features strategies for understanding context. This includes a Belonging and Inclusion module for school staff, which focuses on lived experience and owning and sharing personal stories as well as discussion about the impact of creating a safe space for students to do the same.
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), Middle (6-8), High School (9-12)
Setting
Classroom, Schoolwide, Home
Language
English, Spanish
Cost
Pricing available through provider
# Lessons
80
Program Design
Tier 1 (Universal)
Technology Requirements
None Required
Staffing Requirements
No additional staffing required
Professional Development
On-site, Virtual,
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 2022-23 academic year (published in 2024) supported the effectiveness of Better Together Cubed for public school students. This evaluation included 115 students who were in grades 6-8 attending a Title I school in the U.S. Midwest region (44.25% Hispanic/Latinx, 24.35% Black/African American, 16.52% white; 79% free or reduced-price lunch (FRPL)). The study found that students who participated in the program had an increased sense of belonging and inclusion, increased self-management, responsible decision making, and healthy relationship skills compared to students in the control group (outcomes reported five months after baseline) while controlling for outcome pretest.
Published Studies
Refer to the provided CASEL for the most up-to-date published studies.
Schaeffer, M. (2024). A pilot study on the effectiveness of Bettertogether3 in Columbia Heights School District, MN. Silverthorne: Aperio Statistical Consulting.