The Outcome Rating Scale (ORS) and Session Rating Scale (SRS) have been shown to improve outcomes and provide accountability. Why aren’t these measures used in schools?
I think this is a really good idea, asking me what I think. — James, 14-yr-old client
This information is adapted from Chapter 8 of the book:
Murphy, J. J., & Duncan, B. L. (2007). Brief intervention for school problems (2nd ed.): Outcome-informed strategies. New York: Guilford Press. (www.guilford.com)
The biggest reason these measures are not used is simply because school practitioners are not aware of them. Although the ORS and SRS have been empirically validated and used in other settings, they have not been used in schools to date. As research continues and news spreads, we foresee the growing use of client-based measures by school practitioners. I am hoping to initiate such research during the coming year. These measures have already caught the attention of state funding agencies and third-party payers who are calling for consumer-driven services.
The only way that client-based assessment will become part of everyday practice is if local school practitioners experience that client feedback improves outcomes. And the only way for this to happen is if school practitioners just do it.