What is the research project overview?
Harmony SEL is partnering with American Institutes for Research (AIR) to understand Harmony Third Edition implementation by LAUSD K–2 classroom teachers. The goal of the research project is to understand how teachers implement Harmony Third Edition and what effect these different approaches have on students’ social, emotional, and academic outcomes.
Who is the research project for?
The research project is designed to help you and LAUSD understand how educators in your building are implementing the Harmony SEL program and the impact implementation has on students’ social, emotional, and academic skills.
How many teachers should participate?
We are aiming for around 8 teachers from Grades K–2 from your school but will accept more if interested.
Are Harmony and AIR partnering with LAUSD?
The LAUSD Committee for External Research Review has examined and approved the research project (#947).
What is the school administrator’s role?
- Share project information with teachers and help support teacher buy-in
- Identify a lead teacher who can serve as a point person throughout this study.
- Communicate with us if you have any questions or concerns.
- Receive research findings to share with your faculty and help with continuous improvement of
- SEL work.
What is the lead teacher’s role?
- Be the point person to connect with Harmony and AIR about the research project.
- Communicate with AIR about data collection efforts.
- Support teachers as they engage in data collection efforts.
- Help identify teachers interested in observations and focus groups.
What are the expectations for teachers to implement Harmony?
- K–2 teachers should implement Harmony in the ways they have always implemented
- Harmony. We are looking at how teachers regularly use Harmony to determine if that impacts
- student outcomes.
- Teachers should be using the refreshed Harmony Third Edition in the 2023–2024 school year.
What is the timeline for data collection efforts (teachers and students)?
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Fall 2023 and Spring 2024
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Administer SELweb assessment to students (20–30-minute direct assessment of student social and emotional skills done on the computer
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Complete 10–15-minute implementation survey
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| January and February 2024 |
Approximately 48 teachers will be invited to participate in a focus group on their implementation practices.
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What are the incentives for teachers?
Teachers who sign up will receive a plush Z doll and quick connection cards.
Teachers who complete the Fall and Spring surveys will receive $20 in addition to being entered into 20 raffles of $100 each.
Teachers can also earn $50 for their participation in a one-hour focus group.
What are the incentives for principals? Principals who sign up will get access to a year-long subscription to SELweb for their school.
Will data be shared? Individual data will not be shared with school principals or district officials.
How can I express my interest in participating?
- Teachers: Please complete this brief interest form
- School Leaders: Please complete this brief interest form
I still have questions. Who can I contact? You can reach out to our research team at harmonyresearch@air.org.