In the Niskayuna Central School District, helping every student succeed means supporting both academic growth and overall well-being. This fall, the district introduced a new assessment tool called the Social, Academic, Emotional Behavior Risk Screener (SAEBRS) to support those efforts. SAEBRS is a 19-item assessment of social, emotional and academic behaviors.
The implementation of SAEBRS supports key goals within the district’s strategic plan:
Curriculum & Programs: SAEBRS is an important step in the district’s transition to a comprehensive Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework. By pairing SAEBRS screening data with the district’s evidence-based Second Step curriculum at the elementary level, educators can easily spot learning and behavior needs, using targeted resources to teach essential life skills like empathy, goal-setting and problem-solving. This approach could also inform Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) or curriculum at the secondary level in the future.
Environment & Culture: To maintain a safe and supportive learning environment, SAEBRS will help educators identify social and emotional skill gaps early, before they interfere with learning. To complement this approach, Niskayuna established a new District Mental Health Team last spring. This group works alongside teachers, counselors, and staff to use screening insights and connect students with customized care whenever extra support is needed.
The SAEBRS tool is currently being piloted in grades 2, 4, 6, 8 and 9:
- Grade 2: Teachers complete a brief observational survey on student skills.
- Grades 4, 6, 8 and 9: Students complete a quick, age-appropriate self-assessment.
“At the end of the day, if a student isn’t feeling supported, they can’t learn. These new initiatives and tools are helping us ensure every student is taken care of,” said Director of Counseling and ENL Mike Brannigan.