The Instruments

Catching “red flag” behaviors early is an essential part of helping children and adolescents before social-emotional difficulties become major roadblocks to success in school and in life. These two easy, reliable screening tools give K–12 education professionals a comprehensive look at a child’s social-emotional strengths and risk behaviors, both in school (the School Social Behavior Scales, Second Edition) and at home and in the community (the Home & Community Social Behavior Scales).

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

The How I Feel About Myself and School Questionnaire is a measure of youth wellbeing in the school context. 30‐item self‐report measure of emotion for 8‐ to 12‐year‐old children—the How I Feel (HIF). Item generation and selection occurred via 2 pilot administrations (ns = 250 and 378, respectively). The HIF can be useful in understanding the interplay between arousal and control in social‐emotional adjustment in school‐age children. Three scales are included: Positive Emotions (e.g., “I feel happy very often”); Negative Emotion (e.g., “When I felt sad, my sad feelings are very strong”); Emotion Control (e.g., : “I was in control of how often I felt mad”) Subscore(s): There are four subscores: Interpersonal, Life-satisfaction, Competence, Negative emotion

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

The Identification with School Questionnaire includes 16 Likert-scale items assessing students' identification with or disidentification from school.

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

The ISME (Identity and Science Measure for Everyone) is a short questionnaire that asks about perceptions of self, perceptions and interest in science, and participation in science-related activities. It also covers majors/career aspirations, personal/family backgrounds, possible future selves, and race/ethnicity. This instrument is composed of 5 Likert-style items.

Social psychologist Arthur Aron and colleagues (1992) developed the single-item Inclusion of Other in the Self (IOS) scale to measure how close the respondent feels with another person or group. The IOS has been given to respondents as young as five years old (Cameron, 2006), as well as to teens and adults. It has also been used with respondents living on a low income and previously incarcerated respondents (Folk et al., 2016; Mashek, Cannaday, & Tangney, 2007). Respondents see seven pairs of circles that range from just touching to almost completely overlapping. One circle in each pair is labeled "self, " and the second circle is labeled "other." Respondents choose one of the seven pairs to answer the question, "Which picture best describes your relationship with [this person/group]?" Researchers indicate what person or group the "other‚" circle stands for (e.g., "your romantic partner, " "your parents," "your community," etc.). 1 = no overlap; 2 = little overlap; 3 = some overlap; 4 = equal overlap; 5 = strong overlap; 6 = very strong overlap; 7 = most overlap. Subscore(s): Closeness

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

Indicators of Individual Growth and Development for Infants and Toddlers (IGDI) measure development outcomes for children between 6 and 42 months. IGDI assessments are evaluations of 6-minute play sessions with the child and require the use of a set of toys in addition to administration materials. IGDI assessments can be conducted live during the play session, based on a video recording of the play session, or by observing the play session virtually.

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

The Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS) measures the environmental quality of childcare programs for children up to 30 months old. The instrument was originally developed in 1990 and is now offered in a revised version (Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale-Revised, ITERS-R). The 39 items of ITERS-R focus on the following seven domains: space and furnishings, personal care routines, listening and talking, activities, interaction, program structure, and parents and staff. ITERS-R is suitable for inclusive and culturally diverse settings.

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

SELweb is an online, performance-based social-emotional learning (SEL) assessment system designed to measure social thinking skills and peer relationships. Subscore(s): Emotion Recognition, Social Perspective-Taking, Social Problem-Solving, Self Control

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

The Instructional Climate Survey-Student version (ICS-S) is a 20-item measure of students' perceptions of school climate created in 1988 in response to an increased focus on school climate as a causative factor in students dropping out of school. Each item is answered on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (strong disagree) to 5 (strongly agree).

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

The IDI examines how one engages cultural difference through reflection of past and current situations and experiences. An individual’s IDI profile report provides a perceived orientation score (how one sees themselves when interacting) and a developmental orientation score (how one actually interacts in situations) that pinpoints where, on a five-point continuum, the individual falls: denial, polarization, minimalization, acceptance, or adaption. An orientation gap is also reported that identifies how likely the user is to misread how effective they are in bridging across cultural differences. The profile report provides next steps an individual would take to further develop intercultural competence.

The Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) consists of 28 items and measures 4 dimensions of empathy. Each dimension is composed of 7 items. All of the items are scored on a 5-point summative rating scale ranging from 1 "does not describe me well" to 5 "describes me very well." Subscore(s): Empathy

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

The Inventory of Metacognitive Self-Regulation (IMSR) was developed to assess metacognitive awareness and self-regulatory competencies in the context of problem solving. Subscore(s): There are five subscores: Knowledge of cognition, Objectivity, Problem representation, Subtask monitoring, and Evaluation.

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

The Inventory of School Climate-Student version (ISC-S) is designed to asses 10 dimensions of school climate related to student adjustment. These dimensions include Teacher support, Consistency and clarity of rules and expectations, Student commitment and achievement orientation, Negative peer interactions, Positive peer interactions, Disciplinary harshness, Student input in decision-making, Instructional innovation/relevance, Support for cultural pluralism, and Safety problems. All items in the ISC-S are completed on a five-point Likert scale.

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

The Inventory of School Climate-Student version (ISC-S) is designed to asses 10 dimensions of school climate related to student adjustment.

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

The IONIC (ICAP to Measure by Observation Next Generation Science Standards Science Practice Implementation in the Classroom) Observation is a lesson rating protocol to observe the eight scientific methods of the next generation science standards in K-12 science classrooms. This instrument contains 8 practices with 4 subpractices each, for a total of 32 subpractices being measured. 

The iSTEM Protocol is a classroom observation tool designed to assess the quality of integrated STEM instruction. It focuses on how science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are meaningfully connected during lessons, with particular attention to problem-solving, real-world relevance, student engagement, and opportunities for design and inquiry. The protocol helps educators and researchers evaluate whether instruction moves beyond teaching subjects separately and instead supports authentic, interdisciplinary STEM learning.

The Jackson Personality Inventory-Revised (JPI-R) was designed to assess personality traits to predict an individual‘s behavior in a variety of settings and environments, including work, education, teams, and interpersonal situations. The JPI-R contains 300 true/false items and can be used to assess normal adult personality in selection or counseling contexts, conduct research requiring comprehensive coverage of personality dimensions, assist with guidance and career counseling, and develop greater self-awareness and understanding of human behavior and motivation. The JPI-R measures five cluster scores (Analytical, Extroverted, Emotional, Opportunistic, Dependable) and fifteen subscale scores within the five clusters.   Subscore(s): Personality

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

This instrument is a 50-item self-reported questionnaire. The items fall under the following 5 domains: Self/Everyday Creativity, Scholarly, Creativity, Performance Creativity (encompassing writing and music), Mechanical/Scientific Creativity, and Artistic Creativity. Participants rated themselves on a 5-point Likert scale, with 1 being much less creative and 5 being much more creative. Subscore(s): Creativity 

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

The Kids Coping Scale (KCS) measures stress and coping in children Subscore(s): There are three subscores: Emotion-focused coping, Problem-focused coping, Seeking social support

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

The KIPP Character Strengths framework combines the knowledge of teachers and character researchers to outline a set of abilities and attitudes critical to leading an engaged, happy, and successful life. It is used by the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP), a network of 224 college-preparatory, public charter schools. Pulling from a larger list of 24 widely-accepted character strengths, it focuses on seven that are closely tied to student success and well-being in college and beyond.

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

LAWSEQ measures self esteem and is appropriate for use with primary school children.

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

Transcend’s Leaps Student Voice Survey gathers evidence on the learner experience, fueling a future where education is equitable and liberating. The Leaps Student Voice Survey is a validated, easy-to-use tool designed to help communities understand the experiences of learners through the lens of the Leaps for 21st Century, Equitable Learning.

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

The Learning Behaviors Scale (LBS; McDermott et al., 1999) was developed as a standardized tool designed for efficient, unobtrusive observation of key learning behaviors that affect student learning. It is cost-effective and provides national norms, making it a practical choice for educators. The LBS has demonstrated strong psychometric properties, including internal consistency estimates ranging from .75 to .85 across its four subscales and substantial two-week test-retest stability with coefficients from .91 to .93. Additionally, interrater agreement is robust, with intraclass correlations ranging from .68 to .88 for the subscales and .91 for the total score. The four-factor structure of the LBS—Competence Motivation, Attitude Toward Learning, Attention/Persistence, and Strategy/Flexibility—has been consistently replicated in various studies, confirming its reliability and effectiveness in assessing learning behaviors. Subscore(s): Competence Motivation, Attitude Toward Learning, Attention/Persistence, Strategy/Flexibility

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

The Leisure Time in Science (LeTiS) scale is an 8-item pictographic scale that measures attitude toward informal science. It assesses 5-6 year old perception using science-related pictures. This tool was developed as a way to measure science interest in children too young to be in formal science classes, and data from this tool can be used to design science curricula for young children. 

The Loneliness and Social Dissatisfaction Questionnaire was developed to measure the degree to which children feel satisfaction with their peer relationships.

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

The MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory (CDI) is a parent-focused instrument measuring the communicative development of children aged 8-37 months. CDI allows professionals to screen and develop prognoses for language delays by tapping into parents‘ knowledge of their children‘s language skills, starting from early comprehension to early vocabulary and grammar expansion.

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

The survey collects important information about relationships, engagement, the school environment, and safety. School leaders use results to learn about and improve the school community.

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

The Maryland Safe and Supports School Survey was developed by the Johns Hopkins Center for Youth Violence Prevention in collaboration with project partners. Researchers from the Center undertook a comprehensive review of the literature focusing on the 3 domains of school climate (safety, engagement, and the environment) included in the USDOE model.

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

Physical and verbal aggression is a 20‐item scale (e.g.,” I threaten others”, “I get into fights) with five control items. Target items offer a description of a child’s behavior aimed at hurting others physically and verbally (Pastorelli et. al. 1997). Prosocial behavior was assessed by 10 items in terms of helpfulness, sharing, kindness, and cooperativeness (e.g., “I try to help others “) (Caprara & Pastorelli, 1993).

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.

The Measuring MESH surveys assess students' Mindsets, Essential Skills and Habits (MESH). The surveys can be used to inform instruction and programming. Subscore(s): There are four subscores: Self-management, Growth mindset, Self-efficacy, Social awareness

Note: The overview provided for this instrument includes content that may have been sourced from the instrument publisher's or author’s website (or other site providing information about the instrument). This information is presented for educational and informational purposes only. If you have any questions about the content or its permitted uses, please contact annenberg@brown.edu.