Using Student Risk Screening Scale (SRSS) as a Universal Screener for Behavior MASP Fall Conference Jennifer Rollenhagen Measurements & Evaluation Specialist

Session Purpose: This session will provide an overview of the Student Risk Screening Scale (SRSS) as a universal screener for behavior and how it fits within a Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS) framework. Participants will learn about how the SRSS can be successfully installed within a school and inform decisions for behavioral supports.

Our Time Today The Need The Tool Installing the SRSS Using SRSS for Decision Making Questions

The Need

MTSS Guiding Principles (Sugai, 2008) Universal Screening Data-Based Decision Making and Problem Solving Continuous Progress Monitoring Focus on Successful Student Outcomes Continuum of Evidence-Based Interventions Core Curriculum is Provided for All Students A modification of this core is arranged for students who are identified as nonresponsive A specialized and intensive curriculum for students with intensive needs Focus on Fidelity of Implementation

Universal Screening Universal screening is the systematic assessment of all students on academic and social-emotional indicators for the purpose of identifying students who are at-risk, and may require support that varies in terms of level, intensity and duration.

The Need Many schools are doing a great job collecting universal screening data for reading and in many cases for math as well Fewer schools are collecting universal screening data for behavior Office Discipline Referrals (ODRs) are not a universal screener

The Need Schools have students who would benefit from intervention support for behavioral and/or social-emotional needs Not all of these students end up with behavioral referrals – but the need is there

The Need Systematic screening of behavior Measure that is both psychometrically sound and socially valid Measure that is efficient and effective as a screener Data used to allocate resources to meet students needs

Your Turn Turn to an elbow partner: Discuss whether or not any school you’ve worked with was collecting universal screening data for behavior What would it take to get a school you work with on board with collecting universal screening data for behavior – what might be the “need” this would address for your school Be prepared to share out

The Tool

Student Risk Screening Scale (SRSS) 7-item mass screener to identify students who are at risk for antisocial behavior Steal Lie, Cheat, Sneak Behavior Problem Peer Rejection Low Academic Achievement Negative Attitude Aggressive Behavior

Student Risk Screening Scale (SRSS) Items are divided into 3 categories: Low 0 - 3 Moderate 4 - 8 High 9 - 21

Student Risk Screening Scale (SRSS) Administered three times per year: Fall: 4-6 weeks after the start of the school year Winter: 2-3 weeks before winter break Spring: 6-8 weeks before the end of the year

SRSS – The Tool

SRSS – The Excel Tool Start with Classroom Sheet Tab. You can copy more Classroom Sheet Tabs if needed

Student Risk Screening Scale – Internalizing Edition COMING SOON Student Risk Screening Scale – Internalizing Edition (SRSS-IE) Trainer Notes: 5 internalizing items work well at the elementary level based on current research Cut scores will be different than original 7 items www.ci3t.org

Your Turn Review the SRSS tool and the Frequently Asked Questions document Discuss with an elbow partner the risks and benefits of using the SRSS in your school(s) as a part of your MTSS framework

Installation

Installation Buy in and installation of the SRSS should occur a year before the first administration of the SRSS One to two individuals will be identified as an SRSS Coordinator to install SRSS within your school and train staff on how to use the SRSS Most of the installation work is done at the district level

Installation Decisions made at the district level: Know Michigan and district policies pertaining to systematic screeners Create a schedule for when the SRSS will be completed Determine if SRSS sheets are created in Excel or Word and if completed by paper/pencil or electronically Who will complete the SRSS and which classes Clearly describe the entry and exit criteria for each Tier 2 and Tier 3 intervention, including using SRSS screening data as one source of data Make a plan for how data will be shared with teachers and parents

At the Elementary level Each teacher will complete the SRSS for their class

At the Secondary level, which teachers will screen which students? The district team should determine which secondary teachers will screen which students. Homeroom Teachers? Will elective teachers participate? Will teachers screen morning or afternoon classes? What period are all students assigned to a class? Trainer Notes: At the secondary level there is often the question of whether or not each teacher completes the SRSS. There is research that shows only one secondary level teacher for each student is sufficient to identify students with risk. Secondary level teams will need to look at identifying which period teachers will complete the SRSS with their students . For example, homeroom teachers of teachers will rate the students, then this will need to stay consistent for all three benchmark periods.

Installation If using the excel sheet IDs and names should either be entered in or uploaded If using the paper/pencil template IDs and names will need to be entered for each teacher’s class Reminder: Items may not be changed, deleted or new items added

Secure Data District technology team will plan for data security procedures Electronic spreadsheets stored for teachers to access during screening Teachers will save the completed screeners back on the same secure drive (NOT desktops) Access to data is determined by the district team

CAUTION SRSS class sheets should be in a secure location Please do not email to teachers Involve staff of technology department as part of this process SRSS class sheets should be check several times for accuracy to ensure items are correct Adding or changing items or the rating scales renders the screener INVALID

SRSS Coordinator The SRSS Coordinator will provide direct support to your school for: Training your staff in how to complete the SRSS Supporting identified staff to organize the resources necessary to collect the screening data Planning for the administration of the SRSS Analyzing the SRSS data by your Intervention Teams

SRSS Coordinator Training the SRSS: For the first screening, allow extra time for an explanation and directions For subsequent screenings, experienced teachers may be given a time to log in and complete the screener Any new teachers will need to be trained

Administration All teachers meet in the computer lab or other room with computer access Each teacher opens their SRSS spreadsheet on the secure drive Check that all items are included, the scale is included, and the right students are listed Rate each student going horizontally Rate each student using the 0, 1, 2, 3 scale Refer to anchors on the screener If a student has been enrolled for fewer than 30 days, do not rate that student

Administration Teachers should independently screen students on their own class lists. Teachers should not discuss their students with each other during the screening.

Your Turn With an elbow partner, discuss the benefits of a formal installation process for the SRSS and any perceived risks if a school or district skipped over the installation process Be prepared to share out

Using SRSS for Decision Making

Student Risk Screening Scale (SRSS) To ensure Tier 1 is being implemented and having an impact on student outcomes Basic classroom management Effective instruction Low intensity strategies To identify students who may require additional supports beyond Tier 1

A Word of Caution: The SRSS provides an overall rating of risk (low, moderate, or high) but is not intended to be analyzed at the individual item level Do not use individual items as entry criteria for Tier 2 or Tier 3 interventions

SRSS The SRSS is: used to inform instruction used to determine access to interventions The SRSS is NOT: used for special education eligibility used to exclude students a mental health rating

SRSS Fall Benchmark Data is used to identify students for Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports immediately after the first screening is completed

Tier 2 Intervention Grid

Example Tier 2 Intervention Grid

SRSS Winter Benchmark Data is used to examine how students respond to Tier 1 prevention efforts Data is used as entry and/or exit criteria for Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports

SRSS Spring Benchmark Data is used to examine how students respond to Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 supports Data is used to inform scheduling/class placements for the next school year and will inform what Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports will be needed for the next school year

What questions do you have? Your Turn What questions do you have?

Additional Resources Access MiBLSi’s measurement page on the SRSS for more information and a voiceover PowerPoint from Dr. Kathleen Lane Lane, K. L., Menzies, H. M, Oakes, W. P., & Kalberg, J. R. (2012). Systematic screenings of behavior to support instruction: From preschool to high school. New York, NY: Guilford Press.