Training Overview

What Training Is Included with Second Step® Programs?

Every Second Step program includes training and support materials to ensure you get off to a great start and get the most out of our research-based human skills curricula. The length and depth of the training varies, depending on which program you purchase.

Second Step® Early Learning

Overview

For elementary staff, we offer online training and support materials to help you:

  • Introduce the program, core skills, and the research backing the curriculum
  • Successfully launch, teach, and assess the program
  • Understand how to reinforce skill use outside of lesson time

Training Materials

  • Agendas for key staff meetings
  • Editable presentations
  • Videos
  • Infographic handouts

Time Required

Kick-Off Meeting: 2.5 hours
Check-In Meetings (four): 1 hour each
Wrap-Up Meeting: 1 hour

Second Step® Elementary Classroom Kits

Overview

For elementary staff, we offer online training and support materials to help you:

  • Introduce the program, core skills, and the research backing the curriculum
  • Successfully launch, teach, and assess the program
  • Understand how to reinforce skill use outside of lesson time

Training Materials

  • Three video-based online training modules to introduce Second Step Elementary classroom kits and how to use them successfully
  • Additional, self-serve support materials, including:
    • A getting-started checklist
    • Strategies for teaching the lessons
    • Tips and tools for managing classroom behavior

Time Required

60–90 minutes

Second Step® Elementary and Second Step® Middle School Digital Programs

Overview

The Second Step Elementary and Second Step Middle School digital programs feature a variety of resources to guide teachers, leaders, and staff through the program and help them understand their role in a successful implementation.

Training Materials

For school leaders and educators, self-guided training provides everything needed to get started, including:

  • A program overview to learn about the program’s purpose, research, and outcomes and get staff aligned with a practice
  • Program components to understand how the program elements fit together

Additional training resources include:

  • Pathway overviews and videos

For principals and other leaders, the Leader Dashboard is designed to help develop and operationalize an effective implementation plan that supports a holistic approach to human skills instruction. The Implementation Guide includes:

  • Implementation Leader Orientation to create or re-establish a shared foundation for human skills instruction
  • Implementation Planning Rubric to help determine the implementation approach that works best for your school
  • Best Practices for Implementation to include research-based recommendations for supporting implementation
  • Implementation Playbook to help plan the year ahead
  • Year-Round Supports to help launch, monitor, and support implementation

Time Required

All-Staff Program Kick-Off: 30–60 minutes
Program Training: 30 minutes (staff), 60 minutes (lesson instructors)
All-Staff Unit Overview videos: 10 minutes per unit

Second Step® High School

Overview

Schools using the Second Step® Elementary digital program saw a 6-percentile-point gain in academic motivation compared to non-implementing schools.

Second Step High School includes a variety of resources to guide teachers, leaders, and staff through the program and help them understand their role in a successful implementation.

Training Materials

Schools using the Second Step® Elementary digital program saw a 6-percentile-point gain in academic motivation compared to non-implementing schools.

For school leaders and educators, self-guided training provides everything needed to get started, including:

  • A program overview to learn about the program’s purpose, research, and outcomes and get staff aligned with a practice
  • Program components to understand how the program elements fit together

Additional training resources include:

  • Pathway overviews and videos

For principals and other leaders, the Leader Dashboard is designed to help develop and operationalize an effective implementation plan that supports a holistic approach to human skills instruction. The Implementation Guide includes:

  • Implementation Leader Orientation to create or re-establish a shared foundation for human skills instruction
  • Implementation Planning Rubric to help determine the implementation approach that works best for your school
  • Best Practices for Implementation to include research-based recommendations for supporting implementation
  • Implementation Playbook to help plan the year ahead
  • Year-Round Supports to help launch, monitor, and support implementation

Time Required

Schools using the Second Step® Elementary digital program saw a 6-percentile-point gain in academic motivation compared to non-implementing schools.

Program Training Parts 1 and 2: 20 minutes

Pathway overviews and videos: 5 minutes per pathway

Implementation Leader Orientation: 45 minutes

Staff Kick-Off Presentation: 60 minutes

10%

Improved School Climate

Improved School Climate

Schools using the Second Step® Elementary digital program saw a 6-percentile-point gain in academic motivation compared to non-implementing schools.

The Second Step Elementary and Second Step Middle School digital programs feature a variety of resources to guide teachers, leaders, and staff through the program and help them understand their role in a successful implementation.

Second Step® Out-of-School Time

Overview

Schools using the Second Step® Elementary digital program saw a 6-percentile-point gain in academic motivation compared to non-implementing schools.

This four-part training can be done in one session or broken into multiple sessions.

  • Part 1: What Is SEL and Why Is It Important?
  • Part 2: What’s in Second Step® Out-of-School Time and Where Do I Find It?
  • Part 3: How to Implement Second Step® Out-of-School Time Well
  • Part 4: How Do I Respond When Kids Disclose Abuse or Neglect?

Training Materials

Schools using the Second Step® Elementary digital program saw a 6-percentile-point gain in academic motivation compared to non-implementing schools.

Staff training presentation slide deck

Time Required

Schools using the Second Step® Elementary digital program saw a 6-percentile-point gain in academic motivation compared to non-implementing schools.

Approximately 3 hours

10%

Improved School Climate

Improved School Climate

Schools using the Second Step® Elementary digital program saw a 6-percentile-point gain in academic motivation compared to non-implementing schools.

The Second Step Elementary and Second Step Middle School digital programs feature a variety of resources to guide teachers, leaders, and staff through the program and help them understand their role in a successful implementation.

Second Step® Bullying Prevention Unit

Overview

Schools using the Second Step® Elementary digital program saw a 6-percentile-point gain in academic motivation compared to non-implementing schools.

Three online training modules, each designed for a specific audience:

  1. Principals and program coordinators
  2. All staff
  3. Staff who will teach the student lessons

Training Materials

Schools using the Second Step® Elementary digital program saw a 6-percentile-point gain in academic motivation compared to non-implementing schools.

Three online training modules, each designed for a specific audience:

  1. Principals and program coordinators
  2. All staff
  3. Staff who will teach the student lessons

Time Required

Schools using the Second Step® Elementary digital program saw a 6-percentile-point gain in academic motivation compared to non-implementing schools.

Module 1
Principals and Program Coordinators
45–60 minutes

Module 2
All-Staff Training
75–90 minutes

Module 3
Teach the Lessons
45–60 minutes

10%

Improved School Climate

Improved School Climate

Schools using the Second Step® Elementary digital program saw a 6-percentile-point gain in academic motivation compared to non-implementing schools.

The Second Step Elementary and Second Step Middle School digital programs feature a variety of resources to guide teachers, leaders, and staff through the program and help them understand their role in a successful implementation.

Second Step® Child Protection Unit

Overview

Schools using the Second Step® Elementary digital program saw a 6-percentile-point gain in academic motivation compared to non-implementing schools.

To support schoolwide efforts to protect children from abuse, we offer comprehensive, role-based training.

  • Administrators learn how to develop strategies and effective policies and procedures to reduce risks, both for students and staff
  • All staff learn how to recognize indicators of abuse and respond supportively
  • Educators and counselors learn to competently and confidently teach age-appropriate student lessons about sensitive topics, such as personal boundaries and touching safety

Training Materials

Schools using the Second Step® Elementary digital program saw a 6-percentile-point gain in academic motivation compared to non-implementing schools.

Three online training modules, each designed for a specific audience:

  1. Principals and program coordinators
  2. All staff
  3. Staff who will teach the student lessons

Time Required

Schools using the Second Step® Elementary digital program saw a 6-percentile-point gain in academic motivation compared to non-implementing schools.

Module 1
Principals and Program Coordinators
75–90 minutes

Module 2
All-Staff Training
75–90 minutes

Module 3
Teach the Lessons
45–60 minutes

10%

Improved School Climate

Improved School Climate

Schools using the Second Step® Elementary digital program saw a 6-percentile-point gain in academic motivation compared to non-implementing schools.

The Second Step Elementary and Second Step Middle School digital programs feature a variety of resources to guide teachers, leaders, and staff through the program and help them understand their role in a successful implementation.