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WHY ARE STUDENTS EVALUATED?
When students go to school, there is am assumption that they will be able to keep up with the pace of their grade level peers. However, sometimes, for many different reasons, they cannot meet the demands of their school work. When that happens, it is important to determine their learning difficulty in order to find ways to help them make appropriate progress in school. This is when it is necessary to have an evaluation by the school psychologist. You may choose to request an evaluation, or you may consult with the teacher concerning a psychological evaluation. The purpose of the evaluation will be to identify the learning problem, and to establish a plan to
help your child be successful in school.
The school psychologist examines the cognitive, social, emotional and environmental factors affecting a child's learning processes using a wide variety of techniques. It is important to integrate relevant information from individual assessments of the child's functioning with other information that is available. This includes an educational, social, and medical history, relevant family information, and an understanding of the context of the classroom in which your child is expected to learn.
WHAT IS THE EVALUATION LIKE?
When your child is evaluated, he or she is seen alone by the school psychologist in a quiet room where the evaluation can occur with little interference. In the beginning, the psychologist may simply talk with the child to help the child relax and be comfortable in the session.
To gain a thorough understanding of intellectual functioning, the school psychologist may assess visual-spatial, verbal processing, language, motor skills, attention, concentration, memory and emotional stability. During the actual evaluation, children are typically asked to answer general questions, share knowledge of vocabulary, and solve a variety of problems. They may be asked to copy designs to see how well they coordinate their eyes and hands, which is related to handwriting. Occasionally children are asked to spell or read words aloud. Sometimes they may be asked to tell stories or explain what pictures mean to them. Older children may also be asked to
finish incomplete sentences, tell stories or complete questionnaires or rating scales. Most children leave the testing sessions feeling positive about the experience.
It is important for the school psychologist to evaluate your child's ability to adapt in a variety of academic and social situations. The psychologist may gather information by observing your child in the classroom, in the lunchroom, and in other school settings. The psychologist may meet with your child's teachers and with you, as part of the total evaluation process. From their knowledge of school programs and resources, school psychologists, along with parents, teachers, and other specialists, will work together to maximize your child's learning and your child's functioning in school.
Adapted from: "A Guide To Your Child's Psychologcal Evaluation" from the Massachusetts School Psychologist Association Inc.
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