The Behavior and Emotional Screening System is an instrument designed to assist school personnel and other care providers determine the behavioral and emotional strengths and weaknesses of students between the ages of 3 and 18. This instrument is part of the Behavior Assessment System for Children 2^nd Edition (Kamphaus & Reynolds, 2007). The measure consists of items relating to four dimensions of behavioral and emotional functioning including, Adaptive Skills, Externalizing Problems, Internalizing Problems, and School Problems. There are parent, teacher, and student forms available with each ranging from 25 to 30 items. Though it is possible to obtain student information on each dimension of the measure, a total score is typically used to identify those students with and at-risk for developing behavioral, emotional, and academic problems. The total score is computed by taking the sum of all responses though it is important to note that a raw total score can be difficult to interpret. As such, the scores are converted in to a standard score that allows the responses to be more readily compared to the broader population. Raters do not require formal training and there are methods of support to assist students and parents with reading needs.

EBI Brief for Behavioral and Emotional Screening System (BESS)