Psychoeducational Testing and its Role in Education

Public schools reported that 36 percent of their students on average were behind grade level prior to the pandemic. At the beginning of both the 2021–22 and 2022–23 school years, public schools reported on average half of their students were behind grade level. Difficulties in school can have long-term effects, including financial and job instability and even poor health outcomes. Children struggle in school for a myriad of reasons, but the primary reasons may be due to undiagnosed learning disabilities and mental health disorders. Determining the cause, or causes, of the difficulties is key to determining what the student needs to achieve success in school. One tool to help with this is psychoeducational testing, which provides insights into a child’s learning strengths and weaknesses.

This article will explore what psychoeducational testing entails, who might benefit from it, and where parents and caregivers can seek testing services. Our goal is to offer a helpful guide for navigating the psychoeducational testing process, providing clarity for all involved.

What Is Psychoeducational Testing?

Psychoeducational testing is a non-invasive assessment performed by a licensed professional to evaluate a child’s learning capabilities. It can answer common concerns such as:

• Why does my child excel in one subject but struggle in another?
• What might be causing my child to misbehave in class?
• Why are my child’s grades dropping?
• How does my child learn best?

The testing process typically includes five key areas:

1. Background and developmental history– Gathers detailed information on the child’s developmental, medical, academic, social, emotional, and family background.
2. Cognitive ability– Assesses how the child processes information, often using verbal and visual tests to evaluate reasoning, memory, and processing speed.
3. Processing skills– Builds on cognitive testing by examining the child’s abilities in areas such as speech, language, auditory processing, attention span, and visual-motor skills.
4. Academic functioning– Identifies the child’s educational strengths and weaknesses, focusing on reading, writing, spelling, and math.
5. Social/emotional functioning– Evaluates the child’s emotional and social well-being, typically through questionnaires completed by parents or teachers, or by the child themselves if they are older.

Who Should Consider Psychoeducational Testing?

Usually, a parent, caregiver, teacher, or healthcare provider will recommend psychoeducational testing after noticing concerns in the child’s learning or behavior. Before testing, it’s important to try other educational strategies and interventions. If those don’t work, psychoeducational testing can help uncover potential learning disabilities that might be neurological in nature.

Common signs that testing may be needed include:

• Speech delays
• Poor performance in specific subjects
• Trouble organizing tasks
• Difficulty expressing thoughts
• Challenges with long-term projects
• Issues with memory and focus

For Parents and Caregivers — What to Expect

Parents and caregivers might worry about their child being labeled or pressured into medication following an evaluation. It’s important for educators and professionals to give families time to process the situation and understand the benefits of testing.

School vs. Clinical Testing

Understanding whether to pursue a school-based or clinical psychoeducational evaluation is crucial. School-based assessments are generally conducted by licensed school psychologists, special education teachers, and/or speech and language therapists.

Pros and Cons of School Assessments:

• Pros:Can determine eligibility for special services, such as an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Accommodation PlanBecomes part of the child’s school recordNo cost to the parentMust be completed within 60 days of parent consent for evaluation
• Cons:Limited resources available for testing and high practitioner caseloadsOften doesn’t result in a formal diagnosis, and only considers educational impact on eligibility for school based servicesClinical assessments, conducted by licensed psychologists or psychiatrists, are often more thorough and can diagnose conditions such as ADHD, autism, or anxiety.

Pros and Cons of Clinical Assessments:

• Pros:Can diagnose specific conditionsGreater privacy over resultsMay be more comprehensive, as results are not limited to educational impactMay allow access to private therapies or services, government benefits, or medication
• Cons:Costs can vary, and testing may not be covered by insuranceDoes not automatically qualify a student for an IEP or 504; the school must still conduct their own evaluation (although, additional testing may not be needed, and the school can use results of clinical assessments as part of the school’s evaluation)

Takeaways

Choosing whether to pursue psychoeducational testing for a child involves considering multiple factors. A thorough understanding of the process helps parents and caregivers support their child’s educational journey and ensure they have access to the necessary resources for success. Need help? The expert staff at Behavioral Health Clinic can assist!