Testing

THE TESTING PROGRAM AT DII

Testing at DII is conducted in a one-to-one structured environment and consists of a battery of standardized tests that are recognized by school systems and other professionals in the field.  The battery of tests that is administered at DII provides a comprehensive assessment of the student’s learning strengths and weaknesses.  The results of the testing are explained in a written report, which includes specific recommendations to address the student’s learning needs.  These recommendations are useful in designing an individual educational plan that is geared to the student’s learning strengths and weaknesses. 
For those students who have not been previously evaluated or whose evaluation is more than 2 years old, a Full Educational Evaluation is highly recommended.  This evaluation involves two separate test sessions on which IQ testing and achievement tests are presented.  The IQ test administered is the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) or Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV) which assesses one’s verbal comprehension skills, perceptual reasoning ability, working memory skills, and visual processing speed.  From the IQ test, one can determine the student’s learning style and identify the cognitive strengths and weaknesses and how they affect a student’s learning.  The scores from the academic test are not only discussed in the report but consideration is also given to the time and effort that went into a student’s performance of the tasks and other behaviors and observations that provide insight into the student’s difficulties.  The purpose of this testing is not to determine a student’s eligibility for special educational services but rather to determine the nature of the learning struggles and ways to help the student succeed in learning.

TEST BATTERY

The typical test battery for an Educational Evaluation includes: the WISC-IV (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition or the WAIS-IV), the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement-II, the Gray Oral Reading Test-4, subtests from the Woodcock-Johnson-III Tests of Achievement (Normative Update), the Beery Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration, and, if older, the Test of Written Language.  If there are questions about the student's attention skills and ability to focus, then the Conners' Continuous Performance Test-II (a computerized ADHD test) and the Conners' Rating Scales are included in the test battery.  In addition to the administered tests, the parent fills out a detailed Client History Form, which lists all the pertinent information that applies to the student's development and school history.  This information will be considered in the interpretation of the tests and recommendations.

THE TESTING PROCESS

The testing is broken up into two different appointments that last approximately an hour and a half to two hours each.  The first test appointment presents the academic testing on which all areas of learning are assessed; i.e. reading decoding skills, reading comprehension, word attack, phonemic awareness, reading vocabulary, reading fluency, oral reading, spelling, spelling of sounds, written language skills, math computations, math concepts and applications, math fluency, and listening comprehension.  On the second appointment, the intelligence testing is conducted.  The scores from the different tests are explained in the report in addition to an explanation of how the student handled the task and any concerns that are noteworthy.  Following the testing, a lengthy report is written that includes specific recommendations. 

QUALIFICATIONS OF TESTER

The testing at DII is conducted by a nationally certified school psychologist who has over 30-years’ experience in evaluating students.  She is licensed by the state of Indiana as a school psychologist and holds an independent practice endorsement.  She participates in continuing education and has a particular interest and knowledge of the field of dyslexia and other learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder.

If you're interested in testing, please contact Lindsay Golden at: (317) 222-6635, ext. 226 or lgolden@diin.org

Testing Information Packet (PDF)

Download the LDA's stance on testing here.

TESTIMONIALS

“Mary Beth’s testing is very thorough.  For the first time in 15 yrs, I understand my son’s learning strengths and weaknesses, and I also know which specific remediation services he needs to reach his potential.  In addition, my son’s school was impressed with the depth of Mary Beth’s testing, which helped to ensure the proper accommodations were allowed for in his IEP.”