assessment helper
one observation, deca logged.
log where each protective factor scale landed for a child, by date and rater. the official deca items and scoring stay with aperture education.
checkpoint log for DECA protective factor screenings, by child and date.
a quick word, before you fill it out
- what this actually is
- the deca is a rating scale you fill out, not a test the child takes. it asks about three protective factors (initiative, self-regulation, attachment) and a fourth score for behaviors that are getting in the way. it is strengths-based on purpose. you are describing what the child already does, not what they are missing.
- why it gets asked of you
- programs use the deca to spot children who might need a bit more social-emotional support before things get harder, and to see whether the room itself is building resilience over time. the deca is not a placement tool and should not be used to move a child out of a program. if that is happening, something has gone off the rails.
- who it is really for
- for the child, it points to a plan built on their real strengths. for the family, it gives you shared language for what they already see at home. for you, it tells you which small classroom moves are worth trying next.
tools explained in plain words
DECA items, scoring sheets, and T-score tables are copyrighted by Aperture Education. This tracker is for logging where each scale landed, not for scoring. Get the official forms from apertureed.com .
No checkpoints logged yet.
Reminder: DECA results are shared with families. It is a strength-based screen, not a diagnosis. Refer out through your program's official channels. how this is stored