The Center for School Success Learning Assessment Process
www.centerforschoolsuccess.org

About the CSS Learning Assessment

Unlike most traditional educational evaluations, CSS assessments are conducted through a dynamic process and are tailored to the unique needs of each student. CSS assessments specifically focus on ways for students, their parents, teachers and health care providers to better understand and manage variations in a student’s learning by linking how (s)he learns best with an individualized plan for success.

The Assessment Team

The specially trained team of CSS clinicians includes a Developmental Pediatrician, a Clinical Psychologist and a master’s level Learning Specialist, as well as, a Family Liaison. The clinic team gathers information prior to and during an assessment to produce a profile of a student's specific learning strengths and weaknesses. The CSS team provides an individualized support plan that includes recommendations for successfully managing learning differences, which parents may share with their child’s teacher(s) and physician.

Before The Assessment Day

CSS requests background information from parents, teachers, and students themselves to help the clinic team members understand as much as they can about a student before his/her assessment. Once an appointment is scheduled, questionnaires and other forms are sent to the parent. The questionnaires help the clinicians gain an overview of each student's neurodevelopmental strengths and weaknesses, as well as his/her personal interests. CSS also asks students to provide copies of classroom work samples and to complete a brief work packet at home that includes math and writing tasks. Previous testing results will also be requested for review. Nancee Tracy, EdM, CSS Clinic Coordinator, is available to answer any questions families may have before the assessment day and can be reached at (603) 298-6700 or by email at: ntracy@centerforschoolsuccess.org

The Assessment Day

A CSS assessment focuses on a student’s brain development (for example, language, memory and motor skills) as it relates to his learning and academic productivity. It also covers the student's skills in academic areas including reading, writing, and math. The assessment typically lasts four hours and includes several breaks in-between sessions. The assessment is a dynamic process; the clinicians interact with the student, talking about how (s)he approaches learning challenges and experimenting with possible teaching techniques and strategies. On the assessment day, the CSS Family Liaison sits with the parent(s) behind a one-way observation mirror and is available to describe each part of the assessment as it is administered. This opportunity provides a shared learning experience for the student and parents.

At the conclusion of an assessment, the interdisciplinary team members meet for an hour while the family is on a lunch break. The team members discuss their observations and develop preliminary recommendations to share with the student. When the family returns to CSS, one or two team members meet with the student to explain the initial findings and to provide a few strategies to try immediately. This meeting is videotaped and mailed to the family as a reference. In some cases, medication and/or counseling may be discussed. Families are encouraged to make an appointment with their own health care provider to explore these intervention options. Typically, families leave CSS no later than 2:30 PM.

Families receive a detailed written report within six weeks after the initial assessment. The report describes the student's learning profile, along with recommendations for successfully managing learning differences through strategies at home and in school.

Because of the dynamic nature of the CSS assessment, neither IQ nor standardized achievement testing are provided. Labels are not used (e.g., "learning disabled", "ADD") in reports or explanations to parents and/or schools. Consequently, CSS assessments are not designed to determine, verify or refute eligibility for special education services.

After the Assessment Day

A CSS assessment includes a follow-up visit at CSS about two weeks after a family receives the written report to discuss the information provided, as well as, how to link the recommendations to every-day practice. Families are encouraged to again visit CSS approximately six months after the initial assessment (this visit is also covered in the original fee), as classroom challenges may change over time. When families return to CSS, they meet with the team Learning Specialist who reviews the student's progress and refines recommendations and strategies if necessary.

For an additional fee, a clinic team member can accompany parents to meet with teachers and other school personnel to discuss report findings. CSS also offers “coaching” sessions for students to link their learning profile to every-day school experiences. These sessions are charged by the hour.

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At the Center for School Success (CSS) we believe that students need to know how they learn best; teachers need to know how to address the unique strengths and needs of all their students; and parents need to know how to support their children’s learning strengths and challenges.

Contact Us to Learn More
info@centerforschoolsuccess.org