The Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA) is a nationally normed comprehensive strength-based assessment system and includes the DESSA-mini, a universal screener, and the DESSA (full), a more in-depth assessment. The DESSA IS NOT a mental health screener.
For additional information please visit: Aperture Parent Portal
The 8 skills measured by the DESSA can easily be taught and learned by students of all ages. These skills are known as social and emotional skills and include taking responsibility for their actions and working well with others. Additionally, the DESSA also guides instruction, utilizes common strengths-based language, and counters implicit bias. These critical skills are focused and aligned with the eight Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Social and Emotional competencies. These skill competencies include the following:
- Self-Awareness
- Self-Management
- Social Awareness
- Relationship Skills
- Goal-Directed Behavior
- Personal Responsibility
- Decision Making
- Optimistic Thinking
The DESSA at a glance:
Version
|
Typical Use
|
Grades
|
Items
|
Avg. Admin. Time
|
Rater
|
Reported Scores
|
DESSA-mini
|
Universal Screener – all students
|
K-8
|
8
|
1-2 minutes per student
|
Student’s Teacher
|
Social-Emotional Total
|
DESSA (full)
|
Follow-up Assessment – students identified as “Needs Instruction” on DESSA-mini
|
K-8
|
72
|
7-8 minutes per student
|
Student’s Teacher
|
Social Emotional Composite – scores for each skill area
Self-Management Goal-Directed Behavior
Self-Awareness Personal Responsibility
Social-Awareness Decision Making
Relationship Skills Optimistic Thinking
|
DESSA-HSE
|
Universal Screener – all students
|
9-12
|
43
|
5-6 minutes
|
Student Self-Report
|
DESSA in detail:
1. Screen K-8 students in 1-2minutes: With Aperture’s 8-question universal screener, the DESSA-mini, each student’s social-emotional competence is assessed in 1-2 minutes. The Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) has yet to determine a date school districts can begin administration of the High School Self-Report (DESSA-HSE).Once CSDE determines a date for DESSA-HSE, High School students will be able to complete a self-report in 5-6 minutes (DESSA-HSE).
2. Make decisions with data: The Aperture system gives real-time data on screener results, so school staff can quickly identify students in need of SEL instruction and gaps across the student population.
3. Dive deeper: For students who need extra support, a trusted teacher administers the full DESSA in 5-8 minutes, so the teacher can get a clear picture of areas of strengths and growth for each student.
4. Take action with strategies: Utilize your SEL data to select simple strategies to help