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The DESSA Comprehensive System

The Devereaux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA)

What is DESSA?

The Devereaux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA) Comprehensive System consists of two rating scales (DESSA mini and DESSA) that screen, access, and guide intervention planning related to a child's social-emotional competence.

What are the two scales?

  • DESSA-mini: an 8-question assessment that screens a student’s overall social-emotional competence
  • DESSA: a more extensive assessment used if a student’s DESSA mini results show a need in a social-emotional competency. DESSA measures 8 key social-emotional competencies identified as essential to a child’s success in life and academics.

Social Emotional Competencies Measured: 

  • Self-Awareness
  • Social Awareness
  • Self-Management
  • Relationship Skills
  • Goal-Directed Behaviors
  • Personal Responsibility
  • Decision Making
  • Optimistic Thinking

What type of questions does the DESSA Assessment use to assess students?

  • Does the student contribute to group efforts?
  • Does the student follow the advice of a trusted adult?
  • Does the student speak about positive things?

How can DESSA benefit my child?

DESSA is used like any other assessment tool in the school system today. Similar to the way children are assessed to measure academic growth, DESSA mini and DESSA will be used to measure social-emotional growth. This tool will help teachers gauge if a student is in need of social-emotional support. Once the data is gathered, teachers and/or the SEL Coach will work together to provide specified interventions based on each student’s needs to better assist the child in succeeding in their everyday life ultimately having a positive effect on their academics.  

 

Parent FAQ Sheet

First page of the PDF file: Parent_FAQ_sheet_new