Fostering Student Success Through Social-Emotional Growth: A Comprehensive Social-Emotional Assessment for Students With Learning Disabilities

• In Event: Preparing Parents and Educators to Support Students With Learning Disabilities, Autism, and Specialized Programs

Abstract

Assessments of social-emotional competencies (SEC) often overlook critical skills like self-advocacy and resilience for students with learning disabilities (SwLD) despite evidence supporting their importance for success.
Three studies evaluated the Winston Essential Skills Survey (WESS), which is a comprehensive SEC assessment measuring self-advocacy, resilience, and six additional SEC. Two studies focused on a school for SwLD; the third surveyed educators working with SwLD nationwide.
Findings demonstrated strong reliability and validity evidence.
The WESS provides a comprehensive, psychometrically sound assessment enabling holistic SwLD support by evaluating key SEC that maximize student potential.
Beyond becoming familiar with the WESS, attendees will also learn how to design programming to build SwLD’s SEC in the classroom based on their unique needs.

Authors

• Amber DeBono, Winston Preparatory School

• Diya Taylor, Winston Preparatory School

• Michele Heimbauer, Winston Preparatory School

• Elizabeth Mendelsohn, Winston Preparatory School

• Jonathan Cohen, Winston Preparatory School