Preliminary Evidence for a Teacher Training Model on Social/Emotional/Behavioral Universal Screening in Schools

This preliminary study was designed to evaluate the outcomes of iterative teacher trainings for social/emotional/behavioral (SEB) screening in schools. Three separate and successive trainings were completed with adjustments made based on the previous training. We examined the level of accuracy in SEB screener knowledge and data-based decision-making (DBDM) teachers had after training. Additionally, we examined assessment items for patterns in performance on SEB screener knowledge and DBDM after training. Training 1 included 18 preservice teachers, who had greater than chance-level performance on screener knowledge and DBDM at posttest. Training 2 included 16 preservice teachers and Training 3 included 36 in-service teachers. Changes in pre- to posttest performance from these trainings indicated that there was an increase in screener knowledge and DBDM with large effect sizes. An examination of SEB knowledge and DBDM items indicated regular areas of strengths and deficits for the teacher after receiving the training. Implications for adjusting the training procedures and delivery, and examining teacher needs related to SEB screening knowledge and DBDM are discussed.