An educational assessment is a more comprehensive assessment than the cognitive assessment. It is used to measure an individual’s performance in various important areas such as reading, writing, maths, listening, comprehension, and phonological processing.

Educational assessment may be utilised when there is a query regarding academic under or over-performance (giftedness). An educational assessment is also essential for diagnosing specific learning disorders (SLD) such as dyslexia or dyscalculia. It is common for individuals with SLD to struggle in certain academic areas, while they excel in other areas.

An educational assessment can also be used to evaluate an individual’s progress after participating in a specific literacy intervention program and facilitate special consideration for VCE and university programs. A behavioural assessment is also included to obtain information about the individual’s behavioural, emotional, and social functioning which may be affecting learning outcomes.

Following the assessment, the psychologist will discuss the results and provide recommendations to the individual and/or parents and teachers. Specific strategies to enhance educational and learning outcomes will be offered.

An assessment usually includes:

1. Interview with the parent of child or individual if client is 18+
2. Behavioural assessment
3. Cognitive assessment
4. Educational assessment & Phonological processing assessment
5. Feedback session to discuss the assessment results and report, and deliver recommendations and treatment plan