What to Do If Your Child’s Private School Recommends an Assessment
If your child is struggling in private school—academically, socially, or behaviorally—you might find yourself in a meeting where the school suggests that you seek an assessment for your child by a psychologist or school district.
Hearing this recommendation can feel overwhelming, especially if you are unfamiliar with assessments or specialized learning support. You may have questions about what an assessment involves, why it’s being recommended, or what to do next. This guide will help you understand the process so you can make informed decisions and advocate for your child effectively.
What Is an Educational Assessment?
An educational assessment evaluates a child’s learning, thinking, and development as it relates to school. A psychologist or specialist conducts the assessment, often using input from parents, teachers, and other team members. The results are compiled into a report, which is reviewed with you in a meeting. This report also includes recommendations to help your child succeed at school.
You are not required to share assessment results with your child’s school under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). However, sharing them can help the school provide the right accommodations and support.
Common Types of Assessments
Psychoeducational Assessment:
This type of testing compares a child’s cognitive abilities (such as reasoning, memory, and processing speed) with their academic performance (such as reading, writing, and math). It may also include information about a student’s behavior and emotions related to learning. These assessments can help professionals identify learning disabilities like dyslexia or dyscalculia and may also provide insight about other diagnoses, such as ADHD, Autism, or anxiety when they affect learning.
Neuropsychological Assessment:
This type of assessment incorporates data about brain functions like attention, memory, problem-solving, and mood regulation. It is especially helpful for identifying ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, brain injuries, epilepsy, and other developmental or neurological conditions.
Speech and Language Assessment:
A speech evaluation is conducted by a speech pathologist and measures a child’s ability to understand and use language, as well as use language in social situations.
All assessments aim to gather information about a child’s learning and behavior. The final report provides a detailed picture of their strengths and challenges, along with specific recommendations. This report is a useful tool that can help parents, teachers, and specialists support the child being assessed.
Why Does the School Want Your Child to Be Assessed?
When teachers notice a child is struggling, they often try strategies like:
Providing extra help in class, on the playground, or after school
Placing the student in small-group instruction (e.g., a reading group)
Suggesting a tutor for specific subjects.
Sharing their observations with parents
If these steps don’t lead to improvement, the school may recommend an assessment to better understand your child’s needs. An assessment helps identify characteristics like learning disabilities, attention challenges, or giftedness. It provides schools and families with information to develop targeted strategies that work for your child.
What Should You Do Next?
If you child’s school recommends an assessment, start by making sure you understand their concerns and what steps they’ve already taken to help your student make progress. If you need clarification, ask questions like:
"What specific skills is my child struggling with?"
"What steps have been taken to help so far?"
"What support will the school provide during and after the assessment?"
"What might happen if my child doesn’t complete an assessment?"
If you feel more information is needed before proceeding, you can request:
"Can the school collect and share clearer data on this issue?"
"Can the school create a detailed intervention plan for my child?"
"How will my child be supported during the assessment process?"
These steps can strengthen collaboration between you and the school team, ensuring your child receives the best possible support.
How to Request an Assessment
If you agree to proceed with an assessment, here are your main options:
Contact a Private Clinician
Work with a licensed professional who specializes in educational or psychological testing. Ask the school or other parents for recommendations if you are unsure of whom to contact.Contact Your Insurance Provider
Check whether psychological testing is covered under your mental health benefits.Request an Assessment from Your Local Public School
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), public schools must respond to assessment requests from families of private school students in their district of residence.
Contact the school psychologist or principal at your local public school.
Submit a written request, such as:
"I would like to request an IDEA evaluation for my child, who attends a private school. We are concerned about learning challenges that are affecting their ability to benefit from instruction."
Follow up to ensure your request is received. IDEA requires the district to respond within 15 days to inform you whether the evaluation will proceed or not, based on the school district team’s review of your request.
What to Expect Next
Once you’ve connected with an assessment provider, here’s what to expect:
Timeline: The process typically takes 1–3 months, depending on the provider, time of year, and demand.
Testing: Your child will meet with the provider in person or remotely for one or more testing sessions.
Parent Role: You may need to complete forms and help the provider gather information from your child’s school.
After the testing, you will receive a detailed report that explains your child’s learning profile. This report includes specific recommendations for support, which you can choose to share with your child’s school to help tailor their learning environment.
Final Thoughts
An educational assessment can be a powerful tool to help your child get the most out of their educational experience. Whether or not you choose to share the results with your kiddo’s school, the insights gained from this process can help you advocate for your child and guide their learning journey for years to come.
By working closely with your school and your chosen assessment providers, you can ensure your child receives the support they need to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
