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Downingtown officials report broad positive screening results and plan Panorama pilot for targeted supports
Summary
District staff reported that universal social‑emotional screenings of grades 3–9 showed 89% overall positive scores, with 8% elevated and 3% extremely elevated; the district will pilot Panorama in two schools next year using grant funds while continuing its current screener and follow up with targeted interventions for flagged students.
Superintendent Dr. O'Donnell and pupil services staff reported that 6,615 students in grades 3 through 9 completed the district's universal social‑emotional screener this fall, with 89% recording overall positive scores, 8% in an elevated range and 3% extremely elevated. "Those students who reported in the elevated or extremely elevated range were met with and parents were contacted to discuss the student responses and coordination of supports," said Kristen Welk, who leads pupil services.
The district has administered the behavior and emotional screening system in elementary schools for seven years and in middle schools for five years. Elementary scores showed 87% positive, middle schools 91%, and ninth grade 91%, Welk said. She told the board that prevention specialists, school counselors and school psychologists collaborate to complete risk screenings and deliver follow‑up supports.
The district will pilot Panorama, a student survey platform, in Eastward and Downingtown Middle School next year using grant funding, staff said. "Out of those four vendors, Panorama was the chosen one from the committee meeting," Welk said. She added Panorama allows custom questions, consolidated reporting and includes an intervention package tied to survey responses.
Board members asked how the pilot will be evaluated. Staff said the two pilot buildings will run both screeners so the district can compare results before deciding whether to adopt Panorama systemwide. Staff also emphasized that parents receive a letter at the start of the survey window and may opt a child out; teachers provide responses for grades K–2 and student self‑reports are used for grades 3–9.
Why rates decline in older grades was discussed: staff said early intervention likely identifies more students at younger ages and that older students may under‑report to avoid follow‑up. "I'd love to say that it is early intervention. And I think that's definitely one factor," Welk said, while also noting response bias among older students.
Next steps outlined to the board included targeted wellness supports driven by the PA Youth Survey drug and alcohol data, the Panorama pilot next year, and implementation of four grade‑level counseling lessons for K–2 across all 16 buildings. Staff said flagged students typically meet with a pupil services professional within days and receive interventions ranging from MTSS plans to short‑term counseling.
The presentation was framed as an update; the board did not take a formal vote on adopting Panorama during the meeting.
