Teachers Performing Unlicensed Mental Health Evaluations On Children

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WhatInThe

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Teachers in many states are performing unofficial and/or unlicensed mental health evaluations on children in the form of a social/emotional progress report that uses a 72 question form from a private company. Several issues come to light including these "evaluations" are not protected by HIPAA laws since a licensed medical professional is NOT conducting the evaluation or storing the information. It also has become an administrative nightmare for teachers. And again an unlicensed mental health professional could be determining the fate of a child starting in kindergarten.

https://pjmedia.com/parenting/2017/...ng-monthly-mental-health-exams-on-your-child/

It's the result of a program/law called ESSA/Every Student Succeeds Act, the focal point which is SEL/Social Emotional Learning. The forms/criteria being used are from DESSA or the Devereux Student Strengths Assessments.

Student privacy seems to be the biggest issue along with a non medical professional that could determine a child's fate, attitude, mindset with one of these evaluations.
 

A lot of hoopla about nothing. I've seen these questionnaires, they use them to evaluate the kids where I work. It's not about mental-health screening, it's about determining the socio-developmental levels of the kids. And the teacher is the perfect person to do this. They are with the kids in a social environment away from home more than any other adult. It's another tool to help the teacher and parent be more aware of each child's level of development in order to better teach them. And yes, it makes a difference. Teachers at my school are very well trained in child development, and teaching/learning theories. No worries...unless your child has a really crappy teacher/school.
 
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