It is a tool used to help identify students who are at risk of future academic, behavioral, or emotional difficulties. Just like some students benefit from additional academic supports and interventions, we know some students would benefit from additional support to strengthen their behavioral, social, and emotional skills.

Students’ homeroom or second period teachers complete a 1-page questionnaire about students’ actions and emotions they displayed in class during a one week time period.

Teachers will complete the questionnaire twice a school year, typically around the beginning of the second and fourth quarters. 

School staff will use the screening results and data to identify students who may benefit from additional social and emotional support.

The data will also be used to analyze and evaluate which school initiatives and programs are effective and identify opportunities for improvement.

• During the past week, this student shared what they were thinking about.
• During the past week, this student had trouble paying attention.
• During the past week, this student followed directions.
• During the past week, this student acted sad or withdrawn.

For each question, the rater will answer “never,” “rarely,” “sometimes,” “often,” or “very often.”

You can access a copy of the Teacher Standard Form online. 

We're using the research-based screening tool Behavior Intervention Monitoring Assessment System-2, or BIMAS-2 (pronounced BYE-mahs two).

BIMAS-2 (pronounced BYE-mahs two) is the name of the research-based questionnaire we're using to screen students. Learn more on the company website.

Your student's second period or homeroom teacher will complete the questionnaire about your child's observed behavior over a one week time period. 

As we continue to roll out the screener, we plan to expand the program to include having parents and students complete the same questionnaire, providing an even better indicator of students' behavioral health.

This screener can help us identify students students who are at risk of future academic, behavioral, or emotional difficulties so that we can provide them additional support to strengthen their behavioral, social, and emotional skills. Doing this allows teachers and students to spend more of their time and energy focused on classroom instruction and academic performance, with fewer behavioral disruptions. 

The tool also allows us to monitor and track students' behavioral health over time, looking for any changes that could be a concern.

On a bigger scale, the data generated from this screener will also help us determine district and school-wide programs, interventions, and training needs for staff.

Yes. Please contact your child's school if you'd like information about your child's results.

The confidential screening results are stored on a secure server designated only for WCPSS universal screener data.

No. Participation in the behavior universal screener is voluntary and parents are given at least one week notification to opt their student out of the universal screening.

All students are automatically included in the screening, unless they turn in an Opt-Out Form. If you want your child included in the universal screening, you do not have to do anything.

To opt out, families will complete the Opt-Out Form sent home with their student and return it to their student's teacher by the required return date. Families who choose to opt out will only need to complete the form once per school year.

List of schools currently participating.

We have been phasing in the screener since 2019. All WCPSS schools will be screening students by 2025.