Winston Essential Skills Survey (WESS)

In Phase One of this project, Winston Prep teamed up with the National School Climate Center (NSCC) to (1) identify and solidify the qualities that lead to independence in later life, and then (2) establish the WESS scales as reliable and valid surveys that can be used to (i) understand a student’s social-emotional strengths and needs; and, (ii) be a reliable and valid indicator of social-emotional learning capacity. Phase Two of this project included (1) all students and faculty members completing the WESS survey twice a year at all campuses, (2) the completion of a reporting module to allow for immediate results of the survey to be available to all Winston Prep faculty members, (3) the distribution and discussion of WESS results to WPSNJ, WPSCT , WPSNY, and Winston Transitions families, and (4) the ongoing development of guidelines for educators when working with students to encourage the development of the QSIL qualities. The currently ongoing Phase Three, led by Winston Innovation Leaders and the in-house research team includes (1) using the WESS Survey with a variety of mainstream schools to establish reliability, (2) the continuation of the development of guidelines for educators, (3) advanced professional development and case study analysis for Winston Prep teachers and leaders, and (4) establishing the relationship between WESS scores and student outcomes.