Over the years, I have had many conversations with parents regarding their child’s academic performance. As a parent and grandparent, I understand those interests and concerns. We all want to ensure we are doing all we can for our children to succeed. Most of the questions I have received from parents fall into one of the following:
How do I know if my child is academically on target?
My child is performing above expectations. How can I make sure he stays academically challenged?
My child is struggling. How do I figure out what’s causing the struggle and get her the support needed to succeed?
A carefully designed assessment plan conducted by a trained professional can provide valuable insights into your child’s academic performance and potential. Assessments have been around for a long time, and they are a valuable resource when designing an effective learning plan that meets your child’s personalized needs. However, not all assessment plans are created equal, and all too often, testing is used to simply label children.
Our approach is different. Although we offer assessments to determine eligibility for special education services, we also provide comprehensive assessments to determine your child’s strengths and weaknesses. Our assessment doesn’t end there; we use the information collected to create a learning plan designed specifically for your child.
Our assessment plans involve gathering multiple sources of data (e.g., work samples, grades, developmental history, parent/teacher information, student interview, and test results) about your child. It helps us get a clear picture of your child’s learning profile. When you know where your child is strong, you can build on those strengths by implementing the activities we provide. If your child is struggling, you can identify those areas and engage in recommended activities to improve learning. Ultimately, educators should use assessment results to drive instruction and maximize your child’s learning.
Top 3 Benefits of Assessments
Ensure your child is performing on target.
You want to ensure your child is performing on target, and when they are not, you want to understand how to help. Given the fatigue associated with COVID-19 (e.g., school closures, virtual learning, social distancing requirements, use of masks, and other everyday stressors), you may be concerned about the impact the past two years have had on your child’s learning. Our Academic Check-Up assessment can determine if your child is performing adequately for their age. If not, those areas of concern can be identified and remediated.
Highlight areas where your child excels.
A comprehensive assessment can provide information about your child’s cognitive and academic strengths. When performing above expected, it is important to provide enrichment activities to challenge your child further and decrease the chances of becoming bored. An assessment will provide necessary information to help you understand your child’s unique strengths. We use the results to create a unique learning plan to challenge learning.
Provide early identification of your child’s struggles.
The last thing you want to do is watch your child struggle academically and wait long periods of time to get the help they need. Research shows that the earlier a child’s struggle is identified and they receive help, the greater the chance of future success. Identifying your child’s areas of struggle early will allow for early intervention and decrease the probability of your child becoming frustrated with school.
When your child is experiencing a significant struggle, they might qualify for specialized instruction. To determine whether your child meets eligibility requirements for specialized instruction (e.g., Gifted, Dyslexia, or Special Education), a comprehensive assessment is legally required. You can share your child’s assessment results with school personnel to consider when planning instruction for your child.
To learn more about our assessment services, please visit our website at readingranch.com/diagnostic-assessment. Our initial consultations are free of charge, and we can help you determine your assessment needs and help guide your decision.
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