Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Meria Carstarphen has been appointed to a new national commission charged with finding ways to fully integrate social and emotional learning and academic development so that every student is prepared to thrive in school, career, and life.
 
The National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development was launched by the Aspen Institute in response to growing policy momentum, advances in research, and increasingly urgent demand.

After intensive engagement, learning, and deliberation, the Commission will ultimately identify specific action steps in research, practice, and policy.
 
Carstarphen joins other prominent leaders from education, science, government and the private sector serving on the Commission. The diverse group includes two sitting Governors, a Google executive, a university chancellor, and a retired four-star Air Force general.

“Social and emotional skills can be taught and our students need these skills to thrive,” said Carstarphen. “The work of this Commission will advance the conversation regarding whole child development and use of strategies to increase the momentum of SEL implementation around the nation for our children in public schools who need these supports the most.”
 
Carstarphen brings to the Commission knowledge and experience as a leading urban superintendent implementing social and emotional learning throughout the district. In APS, Carstarphen has devised a turnaround strategy based on a straight-forward, child-centered agenda where SEL is the district priority.