We’re excited to share major updates coming to the Second Step® digital programs for the 2025-2026 school year. These enhancements are designed to better support educators, engage students, and equip school leaders with tools for meaningful impact.
Expanded Support: Introducing Tier 2 Interventions for K-8
Starting August 2025, Second Step® Elementary and Middle School programs will be expanded to include Tier 2 supports, offering targeted interventions for students needing more than Tier 1 instruction. These additions help schools meet a wider range of student needs without costly outside resources.
New Tier 2 features include:
- Small-group lessons focused on skills like emotion regulation and decision-making
- Pre-screening tools to help educators identify students in need
- Implementation guidance to ensure a successful rollout
- Integrated assessments using a third-party, evidence-based screener to pinpoint needs
- Progress monitoring to track student growth at no extra cost (coming later in the year)
Enhanced K-8 Content to Boost Engagement
Committee for Children, informed by collaboration with educators, is refreshing content across grade levels to improve relevance and engagement:
Elementary for Lower Schools:
- Redesigned Grade 5, Unit 1 with new videos and characters (Earl and Kana)
- Updates to Grade 4, Unit 1 for improved clarity and connection
Middle School:
- 11 new videos and 33 additional lesson plans to deepen student engagement and support easier implementation
- New introductory lessons across grades to build classroom culture
- New Unit 1 for Grades 7-8 with a focus on leadership, agency, and critical thinking
Continued Growth for Second Step® High School For Upper Schools
After launching in 2024, the High School for Upper Schools program continues to evolve with updates designed for flexibility and deeper integration:
- More alternate practices for varied pacing and customization
- New Pathway 2 alternatives that also make it easier to track and monitor progress of alternate practices
- 54 new introduction videos to help educators get started quickly
- Redesigned features for easier navigation and better alignment across schools
- New posters for reinforcement and classroom engagement
New Tools for School Leaders and Educators
To support whole-school success, Second Step® will soon include an Enhanced Leader Dashboard with:
- Training completion tracking
- Custom goal setting and input tools
- Updated export reports in Excel format for better data tracking
Looking Ahead
ERB and Committee for Children remain committed to student-centered, research-based program development. These updates are just the start of what’s planned for 2025-2026 and beyond. As always, ERB is here to help you make the most of these tools in your school community.
Learn more about how Second Step help students build social and emotional skills—like nurturing positive relationships, managing emotions, and meeting goals—so they can thrive in school and in life.
