Student risk screening scale for internalizing and externalizing behaviors: Preliminary cut scores to support data-informed decision making

We report findings of a convergent validity study examining the internalizing subscale (SRSS-15) of the newly adapted Student Risk Screening Scale for Internalizing and Externalizing (SRSS-IE12) with the internalizing subscale of the Teacher Report Form (TRF; Achenbach, 1991) conducted in 13 schools across three states with 195 kindergarten through fifth-grade elementary students. Results of logistic regression and receiver operating characteristics curves suggest the following cut scores for the SRSS-15: 0-1 low risk, 2-3 moderate risk, and 4-15 high risk for internalizing behavior patterns, relative to the internalizing subscale of the TRF subscale. Limitations and future directions are discussed, along with illustrations of how to use the SRSS-15 scores for decision making in a tiered system of supports.