Huntley District updates use of Satchel PULSE SEL screener; board presses for clearer evidence and more parent outreach

HUNTLEY, Ill. — District staff told the Board Committee of the Whole on Feb. 6 that Huntley Community School District 158’s pilot of the Satchel PULSE social‑emotional learning screener produced usable data and resources but that more time and professional development are needed to show a firm link between screener results and changes in student behavior or academics.

Dr. McCrindle, a district presenter, summarized the tool and its aims: “It really serves as a temper temperature check,” he said, describing the screener as a proactive way to identify students’ social‑emotional strengths and areas needing support and to help teachers target instruction and interventions.

The presentation showed differences by grade band and rater type: elementary teachers completed the screener for K–5 students while sixth through 12th‑grade students self‑rated. District staff reported opt‑out rates of about 2 percent at the elementary level (roughly 79 students) and 4 percent at the secondary level (about 209 students). For K–5 the district reported Tier 1 (meeting expectations) at 35 percent in the fall and 53 percent in winter, Tier 2 at 57 percent (fall) to 43 percent (winter), and Tier 3 at 7 percent (fall) to 3 percent (winter). In grades 6–12, Tier 1 rose from 56 percent (fall) to 62 percent (winter), Tier 2 fell from 43 percent to 37 percent, and Tier 3 was reported at 1 percent. Staff said elementary ratings were teacher scored and secondary ratings were student self‑reports.

Why it matters…