Behavioral & Emotional Screening System

Universal Screening

  • In our continuing efforts to support the well-being of all students, City Schools of Decatur (CSD) will administer a universal screener of social, emotional & behavioral health. CSD adopted the BASC-3 BESS as the universal screener for behavior and administered the screener to grades 3, 6, and 9 as a test pilot during the spring of 2023. For the 2023-24 school year, students in the same grades will take the student self-report of the screener at their school during the fall and spring administration dates. The Fall administration of the BASC-3 BESS opens on October 9th and will remain open through October 27th. The Spring administration of the BASC-3 BESS opens on March 4th and will remain open through March 22nd. 

    Please access the Universal Social Emotional Behavior Screener FAQ linked here to learn more. 

    What are your next steps?

    No action is required if you agree with your student’s participation in the screening. If you would prefer that your student NOT participate in the universal screening, please complete the opt-out form by clicking here. The deadline to opt your child out of completing the BESS is Sunday, October 8, 2023.


    If you would like more information, have any questions regarding the screener or screening process, or would like to inspect the screener, please plan to attend one of the following Virtual Parent Information Sessions and submit Q & A questions here:

    • Wednesday, October 4, 2023 9:30a - 10a
    • Wednesday, October 4, 2023 2p - 2:30p
    • Friday, October 6, 2023 12:30p-1p
    • Friday, October 6, 2023 3:30p-4p

    Zoom link: https://csdecatur.zoom.us/j/8181881752