Course Description:

Welcome to the DESSA System, the online platform that provides educators with resources that enable a data-driven approach to developing student social, emotional, and behavioral skills. This introductory course is ideal for educators, school staff, and administrators who are new to the educator-completed DESSA screener and assessments for grades K-12 and want to make the most of its tools and resources through a full length training course. You’ll learn how to navigate the DESSA platform, complete rating forms, interpret interactive reports, and apply research-based strategies to inform instruction and support student growth.

    1. Welcome!

    2. Before You Begin

    1. Overview of the DESSA System

    2. Assessment Purpose and Development

    3. Competencies and Items

    4. Implementation

    5. Knowledge Check: DESSA Overview

    1. What is the DESSA mini?

    2. How are results reported for the DESSA 2 mini?

    3. How is data from the DESSA mini used?

    4. Knowledge Check: DESSA 2 mini

    1. What is the DESSA (full assessment)?

    2. How is data from the DESSA used in tiered system?

    3. Using the DESSA to Support Student Outcomes

    4. Knowledge Check: DESSA (Full Assessment)

    1. Demo Video: Completing Ratings in the Educator Portal

    2. Tips for Completing Ratings

    3. Avoiding Assessment Bias

    4. Complete a Practice Rating

    1. Understanding DESSA Scores

    2. T-Scores and Descriptive Ranges

    3. Descriptive Ranges: Student Examples

    4. Norms

    5. Knowledge Check: DESSA Results

About this course:

  • 31 lessons
  • 1 hour
  • Ideal for all users new to the educator-completed DESSA screener and assessment grade K-12th.