In this 2nd of our 4-part series, we will focus on recognizing and overcoming the most common challenges to making a Social Emotional Behavioral (SEB) Screener a reality.

SEB Screeners Reflect a Standard of Care

District leaders, who bear the weighty responsibility of ensuring the success and well-being of their students, often find themselves at the crossroads of innovation and pragmatism. The implementation of Social Emotional Behavioral (SEB) screenings is a case in point—a transformative initiative that promises to redefine the educational landscape yet presents a tapestry of challenges.

At the core of deciding whether to adopt a universal SEB screening tool is the organization's dedication to a standard of care. This standard of care refers to how thoroughly and professionally the organization addresses all educational and developmental requirements of its students. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) sets the academic baseline that public schools are expected to meet.

In today's educational climate, the mental and social-emotional health and behavioral patterns of students have come to the forefront of district-level discussions. Superintendents and the departments that implement student support services are now tasked with integrating strategies that address the complexity of student wellness beyond only academic performance. Social Emotional Behavioral (SEB) screenings are pivotal in this holistic educational approach, where the focus expands from academic achievement to encompass the entire student well-being spectrum. To meet this need in districts, CEE researched and designed the Student Universal Wellness Screener (SUWS).