Summary
Growing Early Mindsets (GEM), offered by Mindset Works, provides a lesson-based approach to SEL with academic integration with literacy and science. GEM includes explicit instruction and embedded learning routines and practices across learning environments; home/school connections via family newsletters (available in Spanish) that introduce families to the learning routines practiced at school; and community problem-solving via service learning projects.
Strategies supporting educational equity (CASEL)
Not available at this time.
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, Home, Community
Cost
Pricing available through provider
# Lessons
Unspecified
Program Design
Tier 1 (Universal)
Technology Requirements
Unspecified
Staffing Requirements
No additional staffing required
Professional Development
Onsite, 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Results from a quasi-experimental evaluation conducted over three consecutive academic years from 2013-2016 (unpublished report written in 2020) supported the effectiveness of GEM for early elementary school students. This evaluation included 554 kindergarten through grade 3 students in rural and urban schools in the U.S. West region (79-84% white, 11-16% Latino; between 43-58% were eligible for free or reduced-price lunch (FRPL)). This evaluation found that students participating in the GEM program showed significantly greater growth in teacher-reported classroom self-regulation behaviors compared to students in the control group (outcomes reported approximately 18 weeks after baseline, while controlling for outcome pretest).
Published Studies
Refer to the provided CASEL for the most up-to-date published studies.
Coates, K., Fredericks, A., & Roberts, S. (2020). Growing Early Mindsets (GEM): A Preliminary Test of Impacts Shows Promise for GEM to Increase K-3 Students Approaches to Learning and Social and Emotional Development. Unpublished Manuscript.