In a traditional strengths-based assessment, which competency is not typically considered?

• A. Affective Strength
• B. Intelligence
• C. Interpersonal Skills
• D. School Functioning

Answer: (B)

Strengths-based assessment focuses on capacities that can be built upon to support a student’s success in school. Affective strength, interpersonal skills, and school functioning are all about observable abilities the student can use and develop in daily life—how they manage emotions, relate to others, participate in class, and complete tasks. These are the kinds of competencies the strengths approach targets because they describe actionable strengths and resources you can nurture through intervention and support.

Intelligence, or cognitive ability, is not typically categorized as a competency in this framework. It’s a measure of cognitive capacity that can influence performance, but the strengths-based model emphasizes strengths and resources that can be developed and leveraged, rather than labeling cognitive potential as a core competency.