DESSA Second Step® Assessments

The only research-based assessments fully aligned to the Second Step® curricula for Grades K-8, developed in partnership with the Second Step® team.

Get data you can trust to complete your Second Step® implementation.

Why DESSA Second Step® Assessments?

Fully-Aligned to the Second Step® Curricula

Choose the only assessments aligned specifically to the Second Step® Program, developed in close collaboration with the Research Team behind the Second Step® Curricula.

Data for Instruction & Intervention

Our brief assessments provide valid and reliable data to help you identify which students are demonstrating the skills taight by Second Step® curricula and which students may benefit from additional instruction or tiered interventions.

Enhance Your Implementation

Go beyond usage data. By using familiar Second Step® language, these assessments bridge potential gaps in your existing implementation without starting a new initiative. Educators and leaders from all departments can speak a common language of data while planning, teaching, and sharing results with district stakeholders.

Measure Impact & Monitor Progress

DESSA data helps school and district leaders evaluate student progress, understand the impact of the Second Step® curricula, and provide data to show community members and district leaders the impact of the curricula.

Elementary and Middle School Teacher-Completed Assessment

  • Testing time: 3-5 minutes per student
  • Testing window: 4-6 weeks after the start of the school year
  • Teacher-led: Gather reliable teacher insights into student skills and behaviors
  • Instant results: Immediately access filterable dashboard reporting for students, classrooms, and cohorts
  • Data-driven next steps: Access to data-driven recommendations for supplemental instructional supports and interventions
  • Available for both Second Step® Elementary Digital Program and Classroom Kit Users

Middle School Student Self-Report

  • Testing time: 5 minutes or less per student
  • Testing window: First week of the school year or later
  • Results are shared immediately with student, improving student buy-in and giving students voice
  • Student may create goals to improve their social and emotional skills, giving them agency and helping them generalize their social-emotional skills

DESSA Overview

“The Aperture System data is fantastic because it allows us to establish a baseline of where students are at. The full DESSA has been the greatest experience so far — using data to inform how I support students. I’ve been able to take data and apply specific, targeted strategies to help students grow.”

Felicia Hamilton, High School English Teacher, Windsor Public Schools, CT

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