Charlotte N.C. (Aug. 15, 2018) — Aperture Education, a leading provider of social-emotional learning assessments and interventions for students in grades K-8, is launching a high school version of its award-winning system. The Devereux Student Strengths Assessment-High School Edition (DESSA-HSE) provides a powerful, reliable, and psychometrically sound tool to help educators, parents and out-of-school-time organizations measure the social and emotional competencies of students in grades 9-12.
“High school can be a challenging time for students as they adjust to difficult classes, busier schedules, and pressure to have a post-graduation plan,” said Jessica Adamson, CEO of Aperture Education. “We developed the DESSA-HSE to help schools and organizations better target the unique SEL needs of this particular age group.”
Aperture Education will host a free webinar at 3 p.m. EDT on Aug. 30, 2018 to discuss the development of the DESSA-HSE, how it is different from the K-8 version of the DESSA, and the importance of social-emotional learning programs at the high school level. To register for the webinar, “Bringing SEL to the High School Level with DESSA-HSE,” visit https://goo.gl/BqwMN2.
Extensive research was conducted to ensure that the DESSA-HSE exceeds the recommended standard for rater reliability and assessment validity. It is strength-based, easy for educators to administer online and aligned to the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning’s (CASEL) SEL framework. Educators can use the assessment data to identify students’ SEL strengths and areas in which they may need additional support. Schools, districts and out-of-school-time organizations can also use the data to measure the effectiveness of their SEL programs.
Expanding its SEL system to students in grades 9-12 is part of Aperture Education’s ongoing work to support educators, administrators and out-of-school-time providers in implementing social and emotional learning programs within their schools or programs.
“More and more school districts and organizations are implementing SEL programs because they work. They improve academics, reduce bullying and behavioral incidents, and help set students up for success in their career and community,” said Jessica Adamson, CEO of Aperture Education. “By expanding our SEL assessment and intervention system to the high school level, we are giving educators and out-of-school-time providers a needed tool to support students’ social-emotional health throughout their entire school career.”
About Aperture Education
Aperture Education is a social enterprise focused on addressing the whole child. Its Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA) is a standardized, strengths-based measure of critical social and emotional skills. The DESSA Comprehensive SEL System includes both the DESSA and the DESSA-mini, a universal screener of social and emotional competence administered in less than a minute. Aperture also provides growth strategies and foundational practices to strengthen social and emotional skills. Its data helps educators, parents, and clinicians understand children’s SEL strengths and needs. For more information, go to www.ApertureEd.com.
