Universal Behavior Screening for Middle School Students

Q: What is the Houston Universal Behavior Screening Scale?
The Houston Universal Behavior Screening Scale is a brief universal behavioral screening tool completed by students in grades 6-8. 

This is a proactive way to identify at-risk behaviors that may be an obstacle to learning. The HUBSS is not a diagnostic tool. Students complete the HUBSS independently using a 3 point Likert Scale (0= Not True, 1= Sometimes True, 2= Certainly True). This process takes less than 15 minutes to complete per student. The data that is discovered from the use of this tool will not be used to label students, but to drive District and school decisions around student supports and services.

The HUBSS is a tool that allows Houston County School District to collect student data to draw accurate conclusions about students progression and observe the efficacy of social and emotional supports from students’ perspective. The results will help our schools plan positive instructional experiences that will have lifelong benefits for our students.

Q: What behaviors does the HUBSS measure?
The HUBSS is a 31 question screener that measures for externalizing and internalizing risk factors using 6 subcategories:
• Emotional Scale
• Conduct Scale
• Hyperactivity Scale
• Peer Problems Scale 
• Prosocial Scale
• School Climate Scale

Q: What behaviors does the HUBSS measure? 
The HUBSS is a 31 question screener that measures for externalizing and internalizing risk factors using 6 subcategories. The categories are listed below along with a preview of questions from the corresponding category: 

• Emotional Scale 
     Question: I often get headaches, stomachaches or feel sick. 
• Conduct Scale 
     Question: I usually do what adults tell me to do. 
• Hyperactivity Scale 
      Question: I have a hard time staying focused and get easily distracted. 
• Peer Problems Scale  
     Question: I prefer being by myself instead of hanging out with people my age 
• Prosocial Scale 
     Question: I offer my help to others when they are hurt, sad, or sick. 
• School Climate Scale 
     Question: Most days I look forward to going to school. 


Q: How is the HUBSS data used?
The encrypted data is accessible to the current teacher, counselor, and school administration.  It is used to determine socio-emotional supports and services that may be needed by students.  The HUBSS is one piece of data that helps to drive education decisions.
Any student who appears to need additional support or services may be referred to student support personnel regardless of the results of the HUBSS.

Q: Can I opt out of the HUBSS?
Yes.  Parents may opt out by returning the opt- out form to your students school by August 22, 2023.

Q: Where can I learn more information?
Dr. Emily Graybill, universal screening expert from Georgia State University will be available to answer additional questions about the HUBSS during the following Zoom sessions: