October 2023, Toronto, ON – Peekapak, an award-winning educational technology company, announced today that it has been awarded a statewide contract by the Utah School Board of Education (USBE) to provide Computer-based Social and Emotional Skills Software in accordance with contract # USBE-AR23055-RFP.
Social emotional learning (SEL) skills, like self-esteem, confidence, positive self-talk, the ability to make friends, etc.) are critical for the mental and emotional health of children, and their ability to succeed in life. A new survey from St. George, Utah, finds a majority of parents of children younger than 6 in Utah and across the country rated social-emotional development the most important factor when choosing a child-care provider or school (St. George News, 2023).
Under the terms of the contract, Peekapak’s SEL solution will be implemented in up to 20% of the Local Education Agencies (LEAs) within the USBE, serving K-3 students. In addition, Peekapak will be conducting an impact study with researchers from the University of Northern Colorado, to determine the effectiveness of the interventions on USBE K-3 students.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with USBE to bring our SEL curriculum to elementary schools across the state,” said Ami Shah, CEO and Co-Founder of Peekapak. “Our research-based approach to social-emotional learning helps students develop critical skills such as empathy, resilience, and self-regulation, and we look forward to seeing the impact of our program in Utah classrooms.”
Peekapak is an award-winning learning platform and online game world that teaches social and emotional skills through stories, research-based lessons, and personalized learning experiences that integrate into English Language Arts (ELA) and literacy instruction. Peekapak is a blended learning program and provides instructional tools and resources to support in-class instruction.
“We believe that social-emotional learning is essential for creating a positive and a learning environment where all students can thrive,” said Kaitlyn Hall, Chief of Staff. “We are excited to work with USBE to bring our SEL curriculum to even more students and help them develop the skills they need to succeed in school and in life.”
About Peekapak
Peekapak is an award-winning educational technology company that creates social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum for Pre-K to 12th grade students. The company’s research-based program helps students develop critical skills such as empathy, resilience, and self-regulation, and has researched 900k of teachers and students across globally. Peekapak is committed to helping districts and schools create a positive learning environment where all students can thrive.
For more information, please visit www.peekapak.com or follow Peekapak on social media @peekapak.
About Utah State Board of Education
The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) is the governing body responsible for overseeing and guiding Utah’s education system. Committed to fostering excellence and equity in education, USBE collaborates with stakeholders to develop policies, frameworks, and resources that empower educators and enable student success. By promoting innovation, inclusivity, and social-emotional learning, USBE aims to create a dynamic educational environment that prepares students for a thriving future.
