Diagnostic Assessments and Psychoeducational Assessments
Before effective learning can begin, a student's team, including the Centre's executive director, the tutor, and the parents must be able to make an individualized plan. One and often two diagnostic tools are used to make this plan.
The Prospect Centre administers diagnostic intake assessments for students who do not have a recent psychoeducational assessment (performed within the last six months by a registered psychologist). This diagnostic assessment is intended to identify areas of need and is used in combination with the student's school reports, Individual Educational Plan, or other learning records if applicable.
Some of the standardized tests used include the TOWL (Test of Written Language), Key Math Diagnostic, WIST (Word Identification and Spelling Test), the Qualitative Reading Inventory and Gray Oral Test.
Diagnostic Assessment tests cost $275.00 and are booked after consultation with the Executive Director.
Diagnostic Assessments do not diagnose learning or behavioural disorders. Many parents whose undiagnosed child is experiencing severe struggles in certain academic areas and who want to begin tutoring as soon as possible book their child for an assessment then arrange for a full Psychoeducational Assessment afterwards.
The Prospect Centre books Psychoeducational Assessments with a well-known Vancouver registered psychologists for parents who are interested in pursuing further testing for their child. Since up to a six-month waiting list is common with experienced psychologists, The Prospect Centre books blocks of appointments far in advance so parents committed to having their child tutored at the Centre can get an appointment sooner. (Of course, if a parent has madeprior arrangements with a different psychologist that is acceptable).
This type of assesment provides diagnosis of learning disability (if present), suggestions for learning support, and most importantly, serves as a "road map" for the student's short and long term educational path. Psych-ed assesments are usually then performed every four or so years to plot the student's progress. Before the writing of high school standardized examinations (such as Grade 10, 11 and 12 Provincial Exams and Advanced Placement exams) and in order to grant post-graduate learning accommodations, a current psych-ed assessment is required.
Rather than consider the results of a psych-ed assessment as a "label," which many parents naturally consider offensive, we look at the assessment as an essential tool for charting the path of student success. As mentioned above, the Centre begins with the in-house diagnostic assessment, and then only if needed, is the student recommended to seek further testing.
Psych-ed assessments usually cost over $1200 - 1500, but this charge is often recoverable through a family's extended health benefits.