Comprehensive Screening & Assessment

Overview

A comprehensive screening and assessment system draws on multiple valid and reliable assessments and measures designed to inform instructional and programmatic decisions. Screening includes activities to identify learners who are not mastering grade-level standards and expectation, while further assessment is used to identify students’ strengths and weaknesses in order to determine appropriate intervention or support. Comprehensive screening and assessment includes:

• Balanced assessment system (formative, benchmark/interim, summative)

• Universal Screening measures and decision rules for using data

• Progress Monitoring assessments and decision rules for using data

• Diagnostic assessment process for the identification of specific need and administration of the assessments

Why it’s Essential

A comprehensive screening and assessment system contributes to an outcomes-driven approach that includes meaningful evaluation and commitment to continuous improvement. The data are used to guide determine which practices, interventions, and system change strategies are needed to improve student achievement. When districts and schools work within an MTSS framework, student assessments are a critical component of the entire system. The assessments are used to identify successes and gaps within a system and contribute to program evaluation. Data allows schools to evaluate the overall impact of student supports and can assist in decision-making and inform instruction at the student, classroom, school and district level. A comprehensive system also provides valid data that can be communicated to students, teachers, parents, administrators, and the community.

Implementation

Core features of a comprehensive screening and assessment system include:

• Reliable and valid screening tools used with all students at least three times a year with the first occurring within the first four months of school

• An assessment calendar that includes the following:

  • Three universal screening windows per year that includes all students for reading, math and social-emotional/behavior

  • Progress monitoring windows

  • Diagnostic assessment windows

  • Regular monitoring for fidelity of administration and data entry

  • Documented time for regular and systematic use of data from the screeners and assessment

• School personnel use reliable and valid screening tools to identify students with at-risk social behavior.

• Universal Screening uses tools that:

  • Address several areas of the whole child (e.g. academic, social-emotional, behavior)

  • Are quick, efficient, valid, reliable and predictive of future learner outcomes

  • Are appropriate for the learners in the setting

  • Are monitored for the fidelity of administration and data entry (as applicable)

  • Are designed for the purpose of screening rather than assessment.

  • Are administered 3x annually

• Progress monitoring tools are used that:

  • Address several areas of the whole child (e.g. academic, social-emotional, behavior)

  • Are valid and reliable

  • Are monitored for fidelity of administration and data entry

  • Produce data that are used systematically to evaluate the quality, equity, and efficiency of instruction, interventions and support to create a responsive system that enhances individual learner outcomes

  • Are designed for the intended purpose of progress monitoring

• Diagnostic assessments are used that:

  • Address several areas of the whole child (e.g. academic, social-emotional, behavior)

  • Are valid and reliable, normed for the population and are age appropriate

  • Include a process for the identification of specific need and administration of the assessments

  • Are monitored for fidelity of administration and data entry

  • Produce data that are used systematically to evaluate the quality, equity, and efficiency of instruction, interventions, and supports to create a responsive system that enhances individual learner outcomes

For more detailed information on Comprehensive Screening and Assessment, review the Montana MTSS Essential Components.