SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Education has released new guiding principles for teaching social and emotional skills, to help educators ensure students have the skills for success in school, careers and in the community.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson made the announcement Friday.

“Educators know, and the science confirms that learning is not only cognitive but also social and emotional,” Torlakson said. “These principles are a part of a concentrated effort to improve teaching and learning of social and emotional skills by recognizing that students’ connection to what they are learning is a critical component of a quality education.”

The planning team, consisting of 35 educators throughout California, was created in fall 2016 as part of the Collaborating States Initiative, a multi-state learning community convened by the Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning.

One critical goal of the team is to compile and disseminate resources for educators about the effective integration of social and emotional learning in California’s classrooms and after-school settings.

In addition to the guiding principles, the team is producing curriculum and assessment resources for California educators.

The Sacramento County Office of Education is one local education agency that is already looking forward to implementing these guidelines at schools.

“We believe that to capture the minds of our students, we must first capture their hearts,” said Sacramento County Superintendent Dave Gordon. “Social and emotional learning is an essential part of a well-rounded, quality education in all youth settings.”

Gordon said the county office is planning to offer space for professional learning and networking to share best practices.

The new guidelines and more resources are available on the CDE’s social and emotional learning webpage.