Universal Screening
Best practice and federal education policy (e.g., Every Student Succeeds Act) asks schools to routinely monitor all students’ academic, physical, social, emotional, and behavioral development. One way to accomplish this task is to engage in universal screening, which is the process of administering a brief assessment/survey to all students to gather information about their experiences and skills.When used to understand students’, Universal screening provides educators with information about students’ emotional experiences (e.g., stress), access to protective factors (e.g., having a safe adult at school), and social-emotional skills (e.g., the ability to manage strong negative emotions). Universal screening is one source of information among many that schools use to support students.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does PSB conduct universal screening?
Universal screening helps schools understand how students are experiencing school and whether students have access to the supports and relationships they need to be successful. Just as schools routinely monitor academic skills, schools can also gather information about students' social-emotional experiences and sense of belonging.
Universal screening allows schools to:
- Identify strengths and needs at the school, grade, and classroom levels;
- Evaluate the effectiveness of school climate and SEL initiatives;
- Inform prevention and early intervention efforts;
- Monitor trends over time; and
- Ensure that resources and supports are aligned with student needs.
What does screening consist of?
Two times during the school year (October and March) students will be offered the opportunity to complete the screening at school on a computer, tablet, or phone. The screening includes 28 questions that students respond to. Most students complete the survey in about 5 to 10 minutes.
What universal screening survey does PSB use?
To help educators understand the strengths and needs of students in grades 3 to 12, we utilize a survey that measures the following areas:
- Emotional Regulation
- Self-Efficacy
- Pleasant Feelings
- Unpleasant Feelings
- School Belonging
- Supportive Relationships
- Screening for Anxiety and Depression
The survey does not measure or ask questions about engagement in risk-task behavior (e.g., substance use) or safety.
You have the right to inspect the survey and we encourage you to do so. You can access the survey by clicking on this link. The survey is available for students to complete in English, Spanish, Russian, Hebrew, Japanese, French, Korean, Arabic, and Chinese. Students will be provided time to complete the survey at school and an adult will be available to answer questions and provide support. Most students complete the survey in 5 to 10 minutes.
Is universal screening a mental health evaluation?
No. Universal screening is not a mental health evaluation, diagnosis, or clinical assessment. The survey is designed to provide educators with information about students' experiences, emotions, relationships, and social-emotional skills. It is not intended to diagnose mental health conditions or replace professional evaluation.
What if I don't want my child to participate in universal screening?
Completing the universal screening is optional. If you are not comfortable with your child completing the surveys, you are allowed to opt them out. If you elect to opt out your child out of surveying, they will be provided with an independent academic activity to engage in while students complete the surveys. So your child is aware that they will be completing an independent activity, please let the know in advance that they will not be completing the survey. Prior to completing the survey, students are also told that they may opt out on their own.
What happens if my child reports distress on the screening?
Student responses are reviewed by trained school staff. If a student's responses suggest they may benefit from additional support, school staff may gather additional information and consult with the student, family, and relevant school personnel. Any follow-up support is based on multiple sources of information and professional judgment, not solely on survey results.
What will PSB do with the results of Universal Screening?
After completing the screening, school staff will review the results to better understand the strengths and needs of students at the building, grade, and individual levels. This information is critical in reviewing, evaluating, and improving our SEL programming. For example, the results of the survey can inform building-level initiatives, help design whole class practices and instruction, and/or identify targeted supports for small groups of students.
In conjunction with other sources of information, the results of the survey might be used to help identify additional strategies and supports that will benefit your child. However, it is important to highlight that the survey is not a diagnostic tool and cannot be used by itself to determine eligibility for special education or Section 504 services.
How is my child's information protected?
Survey results are treated as confidential student information and are only accessible to authorized school personnel with a legitimate educational interest. Results are used to support students and improve school programming. The district follows all applicable student privacy laws and regulations regarding the collection, storage, and use of student information.
Please contact Matt DuBois, Senior Director of Clinical Services and Social-Emotional Learning, with any questions:
- Email: matthew_dubois@psbma.org
- Phone: 617-730-2433
Please see here for district-level data regarding students’ school belonging, supportive relationships, emotional regulation, and emotional experiences.
