Universal Screening for Behavior and Emotional Risk

The Houston County School District is committed to supporting students, families and schools on a wide range of social, behavioral, and emotional issues that may affect learning. Universal screening for behavioral and emotional risk can help schools identify students who would benefit from intervention and/or supports.

Q: What is a universal screener?
A universal screener is a brief assessment completed on or by all students to identify which students are at risk for academic or non-academic difficulties. A universal screener can also be used for measuring the improvement of a group, class, grade, school, or district. A universal screener can be designed to screen any area of concern or interest including academics, social skills, language, externalized behaviors (e.g., physical or verbal aggression, self-injury, and disruption) and/or internalized behaviors (e.g., anxiety, depression, withdrawal, and isolation).

Q: Which grades will participate?
This year, universal behavior screening will be conducted in our primary, elementary and middle schools.

Q: Does this information follow the child throughout their educational career?
No. Behavior screening results do not follow the child from year to year. Universal behavior screening is not meant to assign a child a label, but rather to proactively observe for specific at-risk behaviors.

Q: Can I opt out of the behavior screening?
Yes.  Parents may opt out by returning the opt- out form by August 22, 2023.

Q: Where can I learn more?
Click one of the links below, depending on your child's grade level.