If your child, teen, or young adult is having trouble with reading, writing, math, attention, organization, or test-taking, it can be hard to figure out the reason. Educational testing can help identify learning differences, attention issues, executive functioning challenges, or emotional factors affecting school performance. This guide will walk you through what happens before, during, and after an educational evaluation.  

What is an educational evaluation? 

An educational testing evaluation shows how someone learns and processes information. You might also hear it called psychoeducational testing or a learning assessment. 

The evaluation may look at: 

• Learning Concerns: Suspected dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, or other learning differences affecting academic performance  
• Cognitive Evaluation: Assessment of reasoning, memory, processing speed, and other cognitive skills to understand how your child learns  
• Targeted Skill Screeners: Additional assessment of reading, math, and writing skills to identify specific areas of difficulty and guide recommendations  
• Attention & Behavior: Academic underachievement despite adequate effort or instruction, concerns about ADHD  
• Giftedness: Suspected high ability, lack of challenge with grade-level work, or GT program eligibility needed  
• Broader Concerns: Social difficulties, curiosity about learning profile, or preparation for IEP, 504, or standardized testing accommodations 
• Second Opinion (IEE) Needs: Independent Educational Evaluation outside a school or district setting 

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Educational testing uses interviews, standardized tests, rating scales, record reviews, and clinical observations to give a full understanding of the person’s learning profile. 

Types of tests include: 

• Cognitive & Ability Measures: WAIS-V, WISC-V   
• Educational & Achievement Measures: WIAT-4, Woodcock-Johnson IV 
• Attention & Executive Functioning: CPT-3, BRIEF, Conners 4, D-KEFS, NEPSY   
• Language Measures: GORT, CVLT   
• Behavioral & Emotional Screenings: BASC-3, MACI, RCMAS, CDI  
• Gifted & Talented: Tailored to meet the requirements of the student’s school/district when possible.  

Who may benefit from educational testing? 

 Educational testing can help when school problems continue even after trying different supports. It’s also useful if you’re not sure what kind of help to ask for. 

A child, teen, or young adult may benefit from an educational evaluation if they are experiencing: 

• Reading concerns — Trouble with fluency (reading speed), comprehension, spelling, or sounding out words 

• Writing concerns — Trouble organizing ideas, writing clearly, or completing written work 

• Math concerns — Difficulty learning facts, solving problems, or understanding concepts 

• Attention concerns — Trouble staying focused, finishing work, or following directions 

• Organization concerns — Difficulty planning, managing time, or keeping track of assignments 

• School stress — Avoidance, frustration, anxiety, or low confidence related to school 

Having these concerns doesn’t always mean someone has a learning disability or ADHD. Many factors can affect how a student does in school. An evaluation can help figure out what might be going on. 

 

What does the educational testing process look like? 

Unlike evaluations that may leave families with a diagnosis, but few answers about what to do next, Family Care Center provides actionable recommendations alongside your results.  

Our three-step process is designed to help you understand your child’s needs and know what steps to take next. 

Appointment 1 — Initial Intake Approximately 1.5 hours | In-person or telehealth  

An initial session to gather background, discuss goals, understand your child’s history, and determine the right evaluation plan.  

Appointment 2* — Tailored Testing Approximately 4 hours | In-person  

A licensed psychometrist conducts comprehensive testing tailored to your child’s specific referral questions and background. Testing includes academic, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional measures selected for your child’s individual needs.  

Appointment 3 — Results & Recommendations Approximately 1 hour | In-person or telehealth  

Results, findings, and actionable recommendations are reviewed together with your family. You receive a detailed, easy-to-understand written report with diagnostic impressions and specific next steps.  

*Tailored testing may be broken up into several appointments depending on individual needs. 

 

How to prepare for an educational evaluation 

 Bring any information that might help give context for the evaluation. Items may include: 

• Recent report cards or transcripts 

• Teacher notes or school emails 

• Prior evaluations, IEPs, or 504 plans 

• Medical or mental health history 

• A list of current concerns 

• Questions they want the evaluation to answer 

When talking to children and teens, keep your explanation calm and simple. Don’t tell them they need to “do well.” Instead, let them know the testing helps adults figure out how to support them. 

 

Why choose Family Care Center? 

If your child, teen, or young adult is having trouble with learning, attention, or school stress, educational testing can help you find answers. You don’t have to figure out the next step by yourself.  

At Family Care Center, our licensed psychologists and psychometrists help identify not just what the challenge is, but where it comes from, how it shows up in the classroom, and what to do about it. Evaluations are available for children, adolescents, and young adults ages 6 and up, with specific, actionable recommendations for support at school, home, and in clinical settings. 

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What to expect with Family Care Center educational testing 

Faster access — Scheduling within weeks, reports within a month  

Independent evaluation — Conducted outside school or district settings, with no conflict of interest  

Integrated care — If therapy or medication management is needed, our team can provide it — so testing leads to real next steps, not just answers  

Comprehensive by design — Our evaluations are built to cover more than the minimum, because the answers families need rarely fit inside a basic screening  

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Please note that Family Care Center offers self-pay testing that is not covered by insurance. The total cost is $3,000, and we offer flexible ways to pay.