Behavior and Social Emotional Learning (BSEL)

The Behaviors and Feelings Survey (BFS) is a progress monitoring tool used for some students who are receiving mental health or behavioral interventions. It is a short, 12-item survey that takes approximately 1-2 minutes to complete. It was originally designed by researchers at Harvard University and is free of charge. More information is available on the Harvard University Lab for Youth Mental Health website.

Progress monitoring is a way for school staff to regularly check if their services are having a positive impact and to make sure students are getting the right supports. This tool is not used for all students; it is only used for students receiving specific interventions and with signed informed consent from parents.

The BFS comes in two versions. The student version is typically used for students ages 10 and older. The parent/caregiver version is typically used for students younger than 10.

Students or guardians respond to 12 items asking “How much have you/your child had each of the following problems during the past week?” using a 0-4 scale (ranging from not a problem to a very big problem). These items are:

1. I feel sad
2. I feel bad about myself, or don’t like myself
3. I feel down or depressed
4. I feel nervous or afraid
5. I worry about bad things happening
6. I thinks ad or scary thoughts over and over again
7. I talk back or argue with my parents or other adults
8. I refuse to do what adults tell me to do
9. I do things I am not supposed to do
10. I am rude or disrespectful to people
11. I argue with people
12. I break rules at home or at school

The BFS may only be administered to students for whom parents have signed consent. If you are asked about this progress monitoring tool, you may decline by simply not signing consent. Students may still receive interventions without consent for the progress monitoring tool, and students will not suffer any other adverse consequences based on such refusal.

MySaebrs/Saebrs is a screening tool that helps school staff pinpoint if a student is at risk socially, academically, and emotionally. This tool is administered only to students who have written consent from their parent or guardian. To learn more about MySaebrs/Saebrs, visit Illuminate Education's social-emotional behavior webpage. Over 70% of schools in Kansas use Saebrs/MySaebrs to identify needs that may present barriers to learning. Results from this survey are one piece of data to help educators identify and provide instruction and interventions within their classrooms. No personally identifiable data of students will be collected through the administration of the survey.

The survey takes about 5 minutes and is done on the student’s individual device.  Before the survey is administered, the student will be informed that the student has the right to refuse to take the survey and that the student will not suffer any adverse consequences based on such refusal. The questions your students are asked are:

1. I argue with others.
2. I get along with my peers.
3. I lose my temper.
4. I disrupt class.
5. I am respectful.
6. Other people like me.
7. I have trouble waiting my turn.
8. I like school.
9. I am ready for class.
10. I get good grades.
11. I have trouble working alone.
12. It’s hard to pay attention in class.
13. I participate in class.
14. I feel sad.
15. I feel nervous.
16. I like to try new things.
17. I am happy.
18. I am worried.
19. When something bad happens, it takes me awhile to feel better.
20. I like being alone.

All answer choices are Never, Sometimes, Often, and Almost Always

For questions, please reach out to your student’s school.

The Student Risk Screening Scale (SRSS-EC) is a screening tool designed to be one of many data points that alert staff to potential emotional or behavioral risk for students in early childhood settings. The SRSS-EC is a teacher rating scale: it is not a survey or questionnaire that students complete. Instead, teachers respond to 11 prompts about each student they support. Teachers will complete the SRSS-EC between Jan. 13 and Feb. 3, 2023.

The information from the SRS-EC will be used to identify needs that may present barriers to learning, and is helpful in informing instruction and intervention within each early childhood classroom or school. The SRSS-EC was developed by researchers at the University of Kansas; more information may be found at their website.

Using a “Never, Occasionally, Sometimes, Frequently” scale, teachers respond to each of these prompts:

1. Tantrums
2. Active, Restless
3. Rejected by Peers
4. Ignores Teacher and Class Rules
5. Negative Attitude
6. Aggressive Behavior
7. Lies
8. Shy, Timid
9. Sad, Tearful
10. Worried, Fearful
11. Physical Complaints (e.g., stomach hurts)

The SRSS-EC may only be administered to students for whom parents have signed consent. You may consent to having your child participate by clicking here. If you do not wish to have your student participate, you may simply not sign consent. Your student will not suffer any adverse consequences based on such refusal.