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Behavioral & Emotional Screening System

Behavioral & Emotional Screening System
Universal Screening

Overview
City Schools of Decatur is committed to creating a culture that supports the needs of the whole student. As part of this work, CSD conducts universal screening for social, emotional, and behavioral challenges two times per school year. This helps schools identify student strengths and areas for growth relative to social, emotional, and behavioral well-being.

Background
During the 2023-2024 school year, CSD adopted the BASC-3 BESS as the universal screener. The BASC-3 BESS is a universal screener that is research-based (valid and reliable), easy to administer (given online with instant results), and short (average time 10 min). It provides a systematic way to determine students' behavioral and emotional strengths and weaknesses. This information helps our schools to understand the needs of all students, and to make effective plans to support those needs at the school, class, and individual levels.

Details
The SEB screener is administered to students in grades 3-12. The fall 2025 administration of the BASC-3 BESS is open from October 6-October 31. The spring administration begins on March 2 and runs through March 27.

Parents/guardians of students in these grades who do NOT wish for their students to participate in the screener should complete and submit the SEB screening opt-out form by Friday, September 19. Note: If you submitted an opt-out form for your student(s) during the prior school year, you must submit another opt-out form for this school year.

More Information
Please read the below resources and contact your student's school counselor for questions.