APERS

Tool name

Preschool/Elementary (APERS-PE)

Middle/High School (APERS-MH)

Use to evaluate

Key domains that indicate the quality of educational programs for preschool through high school students with autism

Age range

Preschool through elementary school (APERS-PE)

Middle school through high school (APERS-MH)

Completed by

Trained APERS raters—administrators, autism program supervisors, program evaluators, special education teachers, or related services professionals (e.g., SLPs, school psychologists)

Training

Training is strongly recommended for all APERS raters. APERS training is provided through Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG) at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Time Commitment

Raters should plan on one full day to conduct the classroom observation portion and a second to review student records and interview program staff. Scoring the APERS takes approximately 75 minutes.

How well does your school support students on the autism spectrum?

Does your school provide strong support for the learning, development, and participation of students on the autism spectrum? Find out with the APERS-PE and APERS-MH, in-depth assessments that evaluate the quality of educational programs for preschool through high school students with autism. Filling the need for a reliable tool focused specifically on the unique learning needs of autistic students, the APERS draws on observations, interviews, and reviews of student records to yield ratings of key domains critical to program quality, from a positive learning climate to family involvement.

Benefits

• A tool you can trust. Valid and reliable, the APERS was developed by top researchers in autism and autism program quality.
• No other tool like it. The APERS is the only assessment of program quality for this student population.
• Measures what matters. The APERS assesses program features that are most likely to influence the learning and behavior of autistic students.
• Clear and actionable results. Detailed scores and easy-to-read graphics of results help you pinpoint your program’s strengths and take action to resolve challenges.
• Informs professional development. The assessment helps you determine where teachers might need more training and support.
• Provides proof of quality. APERS data is a powerful way to demonstrate the quality of your program to decision makers and families.

Developers:

• Samuel L. Odom, Ph.D.
• Ann Sam, Ph.D.
• Ann W. Cox, Ph.D., RN

What You'll Need

Includes

• User’s Guide
• 6 Interview protocols, from 4-8 pages each (fillable PDF forms)
• An electronic scoring tool (Excel spreadsheet)
• Self-Assessment Protocol (8 pages, fillable PDF form)
• Self-Assessment Calculator (Excel spreadsheet)

Autism Program Environment Rating Scale: Preschool/Elementary (APERS-PE)

Autism Program Environment Rating Scale: Middle/High School (APERS-MH)

The SCERTS® Model