Evaluation and Testing Services FAQs
The following are typical questions people ask regarding evaluations. If you have other questions, please feel free to call us at 1-877-SKILL-11 or 724-940-1090 or email us at sucess@totallearingcenters.com.
How long does an evaluation take?
Academic tests take 2 to 5 hours (usually close to 3), depending on the kind of test given. A full intelligence test takes betwen 1.5 and 2.5 hours.
What happens at the conference to discuss results?
All information gathered as part of the evaluation process is integrated and summarized to you by a trained member of the Sucess Team, followed by a discussion of recommendations. Questions are encouraged throughout the process, so that by the end, you feel comfortable in your understanding of your strengths, areas of concern, and options available to improve learning.
What is included in the evaluation?
All testing is individual, in-depth, and uses nationally recognized and standardized evaluation instruments. Included in each initial evaluation is an intelligence test (full or abbreviated), a clinical interview to assess anxiety and other social-emotional issues, and attention and proccessing are screened.
When do I find out the results?
The "feedback conference" is scheduled as soon after the testing as possible, preferably in just one week.
Who attends the conference to discuss results?
One of the TLC Success Team members will personally conduct the meeting, after extensive discussion with the other members of the evaluation team. It is highly recommended you and another supportive individual attend if at all possible. Anyone else you invite is fine. In fact, the more people involved in your education who can attend, the better.
What else can you evaluate besides reading, writing, spelling and math?
TLC's Certified Psychologists are able to offer you additional evaluation options. IQ testing is available, as well as state-of-the-art computer technology to measure your attention compared to others your age, with and without Attention Deficit Disorder. Also, testing for anxiety and depression is available. As with academic testing each of these evaluations are accompanied by a meeting to review results and discuss recommendations.
Would it be helpful for me to gather information from the school?
Very! Copies of standardized test scores, report cards, previous evaluations, and the teacher's written comments are very helpful in obtaining a complete picture of you child's current performance and potential.
If I know my child's problems, why bother testing?
The purpose of testing is not just to determine the existence of a problem, but to pinoint exactly what aspects of the problem need immediate improvement, so an efficient plan of action can be designed specifically for the unique pattern of strengths and weaknesses of your child. Total Learning Centers prides itself on offering a total view of learning based on a combination of academic and emotional centers of learning. The evaluation is designed to describe strengths and weaknesses, and to idenify specific educational and emotional needs. Another important pupose of testing is to accurately track improvement over time.
Who else receives the test results?
Information from the evaluation is valuable, but only shared with pofessionals that you approve. For example, results may be helpful to your child's teacher, school counselor, physician, or therapist.
What tests are given?
The tests that are used at Total Learning Centers are all standardized, nationaly normed, and professionally recognized. Testing is individualized, based on each individual student's needs. Feel free to ask for the names and other information about specific tests available and appropriate for your child
