In nationwide study, latest prototype of DESSA risk screener enabled early identification of hidden risk factors among middle school students
ITASCA, IL, [August 19, 2025] – Riverside Insights, creator of research-backed assessments trusted by more than 77% of U.S. K-12 schools, today released findings from a study which found that a new DESSA screener designed to be paired with a strength-based student self-report assessment, accurately predicted well-being levels in 70% of students. The new screener will be released for the Fall ‘25 school year.
The study, which used student self-report measures to examine the relationship between risk factors, resilience factors, and well-being, suggests that even students with strong social-emotional skills often struggle with significant mental health concerns—challenging the assumption that resilience alone indicates student well-being. The study, which examined outcomes in 254 middle school students across the United States, suggests that combining risk and resilience screening can enable identification of students who would otherwise be missed by traditional approaches.
"This research validates what school mental health professionals have been telling us for years—that traditional screening approaches miss some students," said Dr. Evelyn Johnson, Riverside Insights VP of Research & Development. "When educators and counselors can utilize a dual approach to identify both risk and resilience factors, they can pinpoint concerns and engage earlier, in a targeted way, before concerns become major crises."
The study offered evidence to support that there are students who have risk factors despite strong resilience, and students with low resilience but no presenting risk factors. Moreover, it is one of the first to rely on student reported data to demonstrate the benefits of screening both risk and resilience factors.
"The efficacy associated with this dual-factor approach is encouraging, and has big implications for practitioners struggling to identify risk with limited resources," said Jim Bowler, General Manager of the Classroom Division, Riverside Insights. "Schools told us they needed a way to identify students who might be struggling beneath the surface. The DESSA SEIR ensures no student falls through the cracks by providing the complete picture educators need for truly preventive mental health support."
The publication of Riverside Insights latest research and release of the new DESSA screener comes as mental health concerns among students reach crisis levels. More than 1 in 5 students considered attempting suicide in 2023, while 60% of youth with major depression receive no mental health treatment. With school psychologist-to-student ratios at 1:1065 (recommended 1:500) and counselor ratios at 1:376 (recommended 1:250), schools need preventive solutions that work within existing resources.
The DESSA SEIR will be available for the 2025-2026 school year. For more information, visit Riverside Insights at https://apertureed.com/products/dessa/.
About the DESSA System
Developed in 2009, the DESSA universal screening and supplemental assessments are widely used, practical, evidence-based measures of social and emotional competence of students in grades K–12 to help educators measure and reduce challenges that interfere with learning.
About Riverside Insights
For nearly a century, Riverside Insights has created research-backed assessments that empower educators with the insights needed to understand each student’s strengths and challenges. From identifying overlooked needs to navigating complex learner profiles, our best-in-class assessments—like Woodcock-Johnson and CogAT—deliver actionable data that help educators transform student trajectories and meet the evolving needs of today’s learners.