Guidelines for Using Numerical Scores

It is critical to assess corresponding child behavior with scored items. Select true, somewhat true, or not true for the items related to social-emotional areas of a child’s development. Mark any item response as true, rarely, or not true.

Scoring Options

Points for each response are as follows:

• Very True — 3 points
• True — 2 points
• Somewhat True — 1 point
• Rarely True — 0 points
• Never True — 0 points

Summing the scores uses items that have numerical values associated with them. Consider the validity and application of numerical scores, and exercise caution when interpreting the data.

Measuring Child Progress

Local and regional providers may require tracking systems to determine child progress across various social-emotional interventions and programs. It is important for providers to quantify progress accurately using these numerical scores.

Adapted from Social-Emotional Assessment/Evaluation Measure (SEAM™), Research Edition by Jane Squires, Ph.D., Diane Bricker, Ph.D., Misti Waddell, M.S., Kristin Funk, M.A., LCSW, Jantina Clifford, Ph.D., & Robert Hoselton, B.S.