Teacher and School Leader Perspectives on Group-Scored Social Emotional Learning Assessments

• In Event: Equity-Oriented Assessment Contexts

Abstract

We present results from a survey (N = 658) conducted during the pandemic to understand practitioner perspectives on group-scored SEL assessments. Teachers, School Leaders, and District-level staff viewed SEL data as highly important to student success, yet relatively small proportions used SEL assessments capable of providing rigorous results. Of those using such assessments, only about half perceived results as being accurate. Strong majorities across three practitioner job categories recognized multiple potential use cases for group-scored SEL assessment. Finally, in binary choice scenarios approximately half of respondents preferred group-scored assessment to an individual-level measure. These results provide indications that group-scored SEL assessments could potentially provide utility if developed and implemented rigorously at scale. Implications and avenues for future research are discussed.

Authors

• Samuel Rikoon, Educational Testing Service

• Dessi Kirova, Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education