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Duxbury launches K–12 SEL screener; early results show high completion and targeted needs
Summary
The Duxbury School Committee heard that the Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESA) universal screener reached roughly 92% completion and identified small but actionable groups of students needing intervention; district leaders outlined targeted follow‑up and classroom supports.
The Duxbury School Committee on Monday heard details about the district’s rollout of a universal social‑emotional screening program and the next steps for classroom and counseling follow‑up.
Guidance Director Lisa Dembowski told the committee the district implemented the Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESA) K–12 this year. Educators administered a short educator mini‑screener for K–5 students while students in grades 6–12 completed a longer self‑report version. "We were in the 92 percent of completion across the board," Dembowski said, calling the participation rate "in good shape."
Dembowski said the DESA flagged a modest share of students as needing instruction on particular competencies: elementary educator screens showed roughly the expected 15–18% in the 'strengths' band and smaller percentages in 'need for instruction' categories by grade. For students identified as needing support, K–5 teachers complete a fuller screener and 6–12 cases are routed to counselors for individualized follow‑up.
The district plans a second administration in March to measure changes, and leaders described a mix of classroom and small‑group responses. Dembowski said the district will use DESA curriculum lessons, targeted lunch or anxiety groups, and peer mentoring programs such as "Power Pals" and "Dragon Duos" to provide tiered supports.
Committee members pressed for cost and sustainability information; Dembowski said the screener was funded from reallocations and savings and that staff would report back with detailed budget information. She also described plans to evaluate curriculum fidelity and to embed SEL lessons within regular instruction.
The committee said it will review March screening results and revisit longer‑term funding and curriculum decisions at subsequent meetings.
