Use of universal screening scores to predict distal academic and behavioral outcomes: A multilevel approach

Initial research suggests screening for behavioral and emotional risk has been found to predict important behavioral and academic outcomes. The current study seeks to investigate the predictive validity of a novel screening measure, the Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener-Teacher Rating Scale (SAEBRS-TRS). Although the SAEBRS-TRS has demonstrated initial evidence of strong psychometric properties (including reliability and validity), less is known about the SAEBRS-TRS's prediction of important student academic and behavioral outcomes. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was employed due to the nested nature of the data of screening school-age children within classrooms. Results revealed that fall behavior screening data significantly and positively predicted spring reading scores, office disciplinary referrals, and student absences. Very little variance in the current model was due to differences between classrooms. Results suggest screening may be an important tool for school personnel seeking to use preventative methods for addressing student barriers to learning.