Traffic Light SEL (Social Emotional Learning): What AI Can Do, Should Do, and Must Never Do
SESSION DATES & TIMES COMING IN AUGUST 2026
Audience Classification: Online Learning Audience Expertise: Newbies - Early stage implementers: attendees running a program in its first 1–2 years and looking for foundational strategies. Grade Level Focus: Elementary Schools, Middle Schools, High Schools Primary Audience: Counselor / St Support, District Leader, Teacher Does this session focus on a specific product? No – This session is focused on ideas, strategies, or practices, not a specific product or service.
High School Principal Sage Oak Charter School Redlands, California, United States
Abstract Description : This poster presents a Traffic Light SEL framework that clearly distinguishes what AI can do (green), what should only be attempted with teacher oversight (yellow), and what must never be done (red). Drawing from equity and privacy principles, the framework emphasizes using AI as a practice partner for skills such as journaling prompts, repair scripts, and planning tools while keeping counseling, diagnosis, and crisis management strictly human. A companion CARE guardrails model, focused on consent, agency, records, and escalation, shows how to implement SEL scaffolds responsibly. Attendees will leave with a practical starter pack, a tool-vetting checklist, and a parent letter template to launch safe and transparent AI SEL pilots in their schools.
Learning Objectives:
Differentiate appropriate from inappropriate uses of AI in SEL.
Participants will be able to identify which SEL practices can be safely scaffolded with AI (green zone), which require teacher supervision (yellow zone), and which must remain strictly human-led (red zone).
Apply a guardrails framework (CARE) to school SEL practice.
Participants will learn how to embed Consent, Agency, Records management, and Escalation pathways when piloting AI SEL supports to protect equity and student safety.
