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Strength-based assessment has achieved acceptance from educational, mental health, and social service professionals as a means to measuring emotional and behavioral strengths of children. Several standardized, norm-referenced tests have been developed to assess these strengths; however, the primary mode of assessment is via informal interviews of parents and caregivers. In many cases, these interviews lack psychometric support, including basic validity and reliability. The purpose of this study was to document the multistep process used to establish the content validity of a newly developed instrument: Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale: Strength-Based Interview. Specifically, the results of a survey of 40 U.S. professional mental health staff and educators are described where respondents rated the importance of interview questions to the construct of strength-based assessment. The findings of the survey as well as the 18 items deemed most important are reported. Research limitations, future research, and implications for mental health and educational professionals are discussed.

The Emotional and Behavioral Screener (EBS) is a recently developed teacher-reported brief screening instrument for identifying students who are at-risk of an emotional or behavioral disorder (EBD). Although prior research supports the technical adequacy of scores from the EBS, there is a gap in the literature regarding strong evidence of the factor structure underlying EBS scores. This study investigated the latent structure of scores from the EBS in a sample of 646 elementary students who were rated by their teachers in a 2-week screening period. Single-factor confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and bifactor models were used to test the hypothesis that EBS scores are a measure of both overall emotional and behavioral risk and students' externalizing and internalizing behaviors. Results supported a bifactor structure, in that scores from the EBS can be considered to represent a general factor (i.e., risk of EBD) and two group factors (i.e., externalizing and internalizing domains). Findings have implications for interpreting scores when using the EBS as a universal screener for the risk of EBD.

We sought to extend instrument validation research for the Systematic Screening for Behavior Disorders (SSBD) (Walker & Severson, 1990) using convergent validation techniques. Associations between Critical Events, Adaptive Behavior, and Maladaptive Behavior indices of the SSBD were examined in relation to syndrome, broadband, and total scores of the Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist-Teacher's Report Form (TRF) (Achenbach, 2001). Both measures were conducted with 65 students with emotional disturbance in grades 6 through 12. Overall convergent validity of the SSBD and TRF was strong, particularly for TRF externalizing problems and associated syndromes. Results provide further support for use of the SSBD in the assessment of behavioral functioning of students with emotional disturbance and extend validation for use of this instrument with secondary students. (Contains 1 table.)

The challenges of working within rural schools can impact successful implementation of a multitiered system of supports (MTSS). Although special education and general education teachers' responsibilities within a MTSS framework have been addressed through a myriad of school districts across the nation, rural districts face unique challenges that can impact successful MTSS implementation. Some of these rural challenges include, but are not limited to, teacher preparation and training, recruitment and retention, limited flexibility of teacher time, and inadequate access to material and space resources. This article addresses critical issues related to successful rural implementation of a MTSS, including the presentation of three data-based strategies rural districts can employ, referred to as the rural A-B-C's: (a) approach academic and behavior instruction simultaneously, (b) be creative with data opportunities, and (c) collaborate with purpose. Case study application and tables are provided for ease of implementation.

Early identification of student behavioral needs allows educators the opportunity to apply appropriate interventions before negative behaviors become more intensive and persistent. A variety of screening tools are available to identify which students are at risk for persistent behavior problems in school. This article provides two examples in which the "Emotional and Behavioral Screener" (EBS) was used to identify students at risk of emotional or behavioral problems. Example 1 demonstrates how the EBS can be used within a schoolwide positive behavioral interventions and supports framework to inform decision making. Example 2 demonstrates how the EBS can be used to inform behavioral intervention decisions in an individual teacher's classroom. Finally, suggestions for using the EBS across various school formats are provided.

The Emotional and Behavioral Screener (EBS) is a universal screening instrument designed to identify students whose excessive problem behaviors put them at risk of the education disability category of emotional disturbance (ED). This article reports findings from three studies that address the reliability and validity of the EBS. Studies 1 and 2 examined the test-retest and inter-rater reliability of the EBS. Study 3 investigated the convergent validity of the EBS by comparing it to the "Behavioral and Emotional Screening System." The results from these studies support the reliability and validity of the EBS as a universal screening instrument for identifying students who may be at risk of ED or those who may require a greater degree of monitoring, decision-making, formal assessment, or intervention to restore normal behavior functioning and prevent identification as ED. Implications, research limitations, and future research needs are discussed.

Children face numerous transitions throughout their school careers. Research has demonstrated that early transitions can positively or negatively impact future school performance. Establishing effective models to ensure carryover of instructional strategies and interventions into early elementary school can increase the likelihood children will have a smooth transition to kindergarten from preschool. Response and Recognition (R&R) is a framework for delivering a continuum of instructional strategies and interventions to meet children's needs at the preschool level. Response to Intervention (RtI) is a framework for implementing a continuum of instructional strategies and interventions to meet children's needs at the K-12 level. The purpose of this paper is to outline the similarities and differences between the R&R and RtI frameworks and to provide recommendations of ways the two frameworks can be used to ensure a smooth transition into primary school.

In the present study, we sought to extend instrument validation research for a strength-based emotional and behavior rating scale, the "Teacher Rating Scale of the Behavior and Emotional Rating Scale-Second Edition" (BERS-2; Epstein, M. H. (2004). "Behavioral and emotional rating scale" (2nd ed.). Austin, TX: PRO-ED) through the use of convergent validation techniques. The associations between the strength-based domains of the BERS-2 were examined in relation to problem syndrome subscales of the "Teacher's Report Form" (TRF; Achenbach, T. M. (1991b). "Manual for the teacher's report form and 1991 profile". Burlington: University of Vermont, Department of Psychiatry). Both measures were conducted with 58 students with emotional disturbance in grades 2 through 12. The overall convergent validity of the BERS-2 and the TRF was strong, particularly for TRF externalizing problems and associated syndromes. However, less evidence emerged for the convergence of domain subscales characterized by behaviors of an internalizing nature. These results provide further support for the use of the BERS-2 in the assessment of the social and behavioral functioning of students with emotional disturbance.

Students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) struggle in school, perhaps more so than any other group of students. Whereas it is commonly recognized that these children and adolescents have severe social skills deficits, which impede development of meaningful relationships with peers and teachers, it is also true that students with EBD evidence significant academic deficiencies. These significant academic deficits have resulted in students with EBD attaining one of the worst graduation rates (32.1%) of students with any disability. Recently, however, researchers have begun to place an increased emphasis on addressing the academic deficits of students with EBD to increase their engagement in school, with the hope of improving graduation rates. Recently, researchers at the University of Nebraska's Center for At-Risk Children's Services summarized the intervention literature targeted at improving the academic skills and performance of students with EBD served in public schools. Conclusions from analyses of this small body of literature indicated that positive outcomes were reported across participants, settings, and subject areas. This article highlights the findings of these literature reviews covering over three decades of research, conducted with students with EBD and provides teachers a condensed summary of teaching strategies that have demonstrated efficacy in educating some of the most challenging students in today's schools. (Contains 4 tables.)

Early literacy development is the gateway to reading and future academic success. Learning about sound-letter correspondence and basic decoding strategies are but two fundamental skills that have been found to support this later success. In addition, an emphasis on environmental print (e.g., McDonald's, Wal-Mart, Shell) and functional print (e.g., men/women bathroom designations, lunch menu, labels on classroom materials) assists children in recognizing uses of print and encourages literacy in familiar environments. Repeated book reading and shared book experiences including reading, writing, and arts-related activities (e.g., music and movement, painting) are also avenues for young children to acquire print and literacy skills. Yet some young children require more intensive approaches to facilitate their literacy development. These approaches are often reflective of a direct approach to instruction with prepared materials, massed opportunities for practice, and specific feedback strategies. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the skills included in effective early literacy development activities, an example of an empirically validated early literacy intervention program, and several options for supporting families' involvement in literacy development efforts for all young children. This information is intended to assist practitioners working with preschoolers and primary children with and without disabilities as well as family members and other caregivers. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)

This study investigated the effects of an intensive prereading intervention on the beginning reading skills and social behavior of kindergarten children at risk for behavioral disorders and reading difficulties. Children identified through a systematic screening process were assigned randomly to experimental or nonspecific treatment conditions. Children who received the intensive prereading intervention showed statistically and educationally significant gains in their beginning reading skills relative to their counterparts in the nonspecific treatment condition. In contrast, improvements in teacher ratings of the classroom competence, emotional and behavioral self-control, and self-confidence of children in the experimental and nonspecific treatment conditions were not statistically significant from one another. (Contains 3 tables.)

Three studies are reported addressing the test-retest reliability and convergent validity of the Behavioral and Emotional Rating Scale-Second Edition (BERS-2): Parent Rating Scale (PRS). In the first study, test-retest reliability was investigated over a one-week period to determine the stability of the BERS-2 PRS over time. Reliability coefficients were at or above .80. Convergent validity was assessed as parents completed the PRS and a second measure of perceived child functioning. In the second study, the six BERS-2 PRS subscales and overall strength index were correlated with composite scores from the parent forms of the Social Skills Rating System. Correlations were generally highly positive. In the third study, the PRS was correlated with problem scales of Achenbach's Child Behavior Checklist. All correlations were negative with the problem scales, and more than three-fourths were moderate to large. The BERS-2 PRS appears to be a psychometrically sound rapid-assessment instrument. Implications for use of the BERS-2 PRS by school social workers are discussed.

The findings of three studies addressing convergent validity and test retest reliability of the Youth Rating Scale of the Behavioral and Emotional rating scale- second edition (BERS-2) are reported. Results provide evidence that the BERS-2 youth rating scale has acceptable psychometric properties and may be considered for use by social work practitioners in assessment and intervention activities.