Does My SEL Program Align With CASEL? And how RAD does!

If you’re a teacher choosing or using an SEL program, you’ve probably asked yourself this question at some point: Does this actually align with CASEL? Sometimes that question comes from a district requirement. Sometimes it comes from admin. And sometimes it comes from teachers simply trying to do things well. Before answering, it helps to step back for a moment.

What Is CASEL (Really)?

CASEL (the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) is an organization that helped define a widely used framework for SEL in schools.

At its core, the CASEL framework outlines five broad skill areas:

* Recreation of CASEL framework

• Self-awareness

• Self-management

• Social awareness

• Relationship skills

• Responsible decision-making

CASEL itself is not a curriculum. It does not tell teachers how to teach SEL. Instead, it describes the kinds of skills SEL should support.

Does My SEL Program Align With CASEL?

When teachers ask whether an SEL program aligns with CASEL, they are usually wondering:

• Will this meet district or school expectations?

• Is this considered legitimate SEL?

• Does this fit with what I’m already expected to teach?

• Will I need to justify using this resource?

In other words, CASEL alignment is often about reassurance rather than ideology. Teachers want confidence that a program supports the core SEL skills students are expected to develop.

So Where Does RAD Fit?

RAD (Recognize–Accept–Do) is a skill-based SEL framework designed specifically for classroom settings. Rather than organizing lessons around emotional categories or social scripts, RAD focuses on three practical skills students can use across many situations:

• Recognize what is happening internally (thoughts, feelings, reactions)

• Accept those experiences without judgment or struggle

• Do what is important, even when things feel uncomfortable

These skills map naturally onto the CASEL framework.

Recognize: Self-Awareness

RAD helps students notice thoughts, feelings, and internal reactions, and understand how these influence behaviour.

Accept: Self-Management

RAD teaches students how to stay engaged and respond effectively when emotions are uncomfortable, rather than trying to eliminate or control feelings.

Do: Responsible Decision-Making

RAD emphasizes values-based action, helping students make intentional choices aligned with goals, responsibilities, and what matters to them, even when emotions make that difficult.

Social Awareness and Relationship Skills

Teachers sometimes notice that RAD most clearly aligns with self-awareness, self-management, and responsible decision-making, and then ask: What about social awareness and relationship skills? RAD addresses these competencies secondarily through values-based action.

Social awareness develops when students clarify what matters to them. If belonging, connection, or making friends is important to a student, then teaching empathy becomes meaningful rather than just another lesson.

Relationship skills are approached in the same way. Rather than teaching social behaviors in isolation, RAD invites students to ask: If this relationship matters to me, what actions would support it? When this happens, explicit lessons on problem-solving or apologizing become relevant to the student, as they are connected to their values, what is important to them. When skills are tied to the student’s own values, they are more relevant, authentic, and likely to carry over into real situations.

So, Does RAD Align With CASEL?

Yes. RAD aligns with the CASEL framework by supporting all five competencies in a developmentally appropriate, skills-based way.

It does this by presenting a sequence of lessons in an SEL curriculum that is easy, affordable, and effective. RAD is designed to be classroom-ready. Teachers with no experience teaching SEL can follow along and learn with the students, and experienced teachers will find some new ideas and a unique approach. RAD is skill-based, trauma-informed, structured, and respectful of students.

Explore RAD SEL lessons with a free 7-day trial at radforlife.com

Keywords: social emotional learning, CASEL, SEL program

*This image is an original illustration created for educational purposes. While it may reference or be inspired by widely used social-emotional learning concepts (such as emotional awareness or self-management), it is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or a reproduction of CASEL® or any proprietary SEL framework. All trademarks and frameworks referenced remain the property of their respective owners. This image is intended to support discussion, reflection, and critical thinking about SEL practices.