DERS
Measuring What Matters
About
This tool assesses the quality of learning environments for children aged 2.5 to 12. It measures environmental design and implementation against desired developmental outcomes, focusing on executive functions, literacy, and social-emotional growth.
What's New in DERS
3.1
September 17, 2026
Removes all functionality and displays information about the replacement web-based DERS
FAQ
What is DERS used for?
DERS is used to measure the quality of learning environments in classrooms serving children aged 2.5 to 12. It helps identify priorities for continuous improvement or serves as an external assessment of environmental quality.
What age group does DERS focus on?
DERS is designed for classrooms serving children between the ages of 2.5 and 12 years old.
What developmental areas does DERS assess?
DERS assesses five broad aspects of human development: initiation and concentration, inhibitory control, working memory, linguistic and cultural fluency, and social fluency and emotional flexibility.
How long does a DERS assessment take?
The DERS assessment is administered during a 60-minute classroom observation.
Who developed DERS?
DERS was developed by researchers at the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector.
Is DERS available on multiple devices?
Currently, DERS is supported on iPad devices.
How often is DERS updated?
The latest version of DERS, 2.3, was last updated on August 1, 2022.
Does DERS have ads?
No, DERS does not contain advertisements.
