An Analysis of SRSS-IE Externalizing Cut Scores to Facilitate Data-Informed Decision-Making in K–12 Schools.

Lane, Kathleen Lynne; Lane, Nathan Allen; Buckman, Mark Matthew; Pelton, Katie Scarlett Lane; Fleming, Kandace; Romine, Rebecca E. Swinburne

We report the results of a convergent validity study examining the externalizing subscale (SRSS-E5, five items) of the adapted Student Risk Screening Scale for Internalizing and Externalizing (SRSS-IE 9) with the externalizing subscale of the Teacher Report Form (TRF) with two samples of K–12 students. Results of logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic curves analyzed with a sample of 195 K–5 students from 13 schools across three U.S. states suggested the following preliminary cutting scores for the SRSS-E5 for use at the elementary level: 0 to 1 for low risk, 2 to 3 for moderate risk, and 4 to 15 for high risk for externalizing behaviors. Results of the same analyses with a sample of 227 students in Grades 6 to 12 suggested the following preliminary cutting scores for the SRSS-E5 for use in middle and high (secondary) schools: 0 to 4 for low risk, 5 to 6 for moderate risk, and 7 to 15 for high risk for externalizing behaviors. For both samples, sensitivity and specificity levels were acceptable, as was the correct classification rate. We discuss findings and limitations and emphasize the importance of replication before shifting screening practices from the SRSS-IE 12 (12 items) to the newly adapted SRSS-IE 9 (9 items).

UNITED States; PSYCHOLOGY of middle school students; RISK assessment; HIGH schools; RESEARCH funding; RECEIVER operating characteristic curves; PSYCHOLOGY of high school students; RESEARCH evaluation; LOGISTIC regression analysis; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; BEHAVIOR disorders in children; EXTERNALIZING behavior; MIDDLE schools; MEDICAL screening; SENSITIVITY & specificity (Statistics); ADOLESCENCE; CHILDREN

Behavioral Disorders, 2025, Vol 50, Issue 2, p87

0198-7429

Academic Journal

10.1177/01987429241269519