Public School or Private Evaluation - Which is Right for Me?
Earlier this school year, I received an unusually high number of inquiries from parents requesting dyslexia testing. In almost all cases, the child was identified by his or her school as at-risk for dyslexia and referred for further testing.
Many states, including Texas, require school districts to provide testing for dyslexia and related disorders (including dysgraphia) if a child is identified as at-risk. Since it is in the best interest of the school to catch these disorders early, schools usually do a good job of screening students for significant reading and writing difficulties.
Once a student is identified as at-risk for dyslexia, there are two different routes for further evaluation. Today I want to examine those two options and outline the pros and cons of each.
Public School Evaluation
As mentioned above, many school districts provide assessment for dyslexia and related disorders, including dysgraphia, if there is evidence the child indeed experiences such disorders. While I have seen many excellent evaluations through school districts, I have also found some to be lacking in thoroughness and clarity. When considering a public school evaluation, here are some advantages and disadvantages to keep in mind:
Pros
Public school evaluations are free.
They usually take place at school and during school hours, so there are minimal conflicts for parents.
The school and teacher can provide relevant and timely feedback to help guide the testing process.
The testing is universally accepted for public school services, including Special Education, IEPs, and Section 504 Accommodations.
The evaluation usually only has to be conducted once during the student’s K-12 schooling.
Cons
Scheduling the evaluation can take up to a year or longer.
No matter the outcome, the evaluation becomes part of the child’s academic record.
Due to resource allocation, public school evaluations are can be limited in scope and thoroughness. Consequently, diagnoses may be missed.
The evaluator and student do not have an opportunity to establish a continued working relationship, which may hinder the intervention or remediation process.
Evaluations do not assess for other education-impacting conditions, particularly ADHD and anxiety.
In my experience, public school evaluations can be very helpful if conducted in a timely manner and by a professional with expertise in that particular area. School districts typically use a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) or an Educational Diagnostician to conduct their evaluations, both of whom are trained to detect dyslexia and dysgraphia. However, due to limited funding in many school districts, such professionals can be difficult to employ, which severely hinders the evaluation process. I recently worked with a family who had been on the waiting list for an evaluation in their school district for two years!
Private Evaluation
Every state has professionals who can provide private evaluations for a wide-range of conditions, including dyslexia and dysgraphia. While rules and regulations vary from state to state, typically a psychologist is the one who conducts such evaluations. As with public school evaluations, the quality of private evaluations can fluctuate. Based on my experience both conducting and reviewing other private evaluations, here are the pros and cons I have found:
Pros
Private evaluations are thorough since the clinician can choose which assessments to administer.
Private evaluations can also detect other conditions including ADHD and anxiety that may contribute to reading and/or writing difficulties.
The clinician is often available after the evaluation for additional consultation and guidance.
There are often shorter wait times to schedule the evaluation.
The family can interview and choose a clinician that is a good fit for their student and his or her situation.
Some clinicians offer remote evaluations, which can be beneficial for certain students, particularly those with limited options in their community or those who experience significant anxiety.
The family can decide if they want to share the findings with the school or keep them private.
Cons
Private evaluations can be very expensive.
Some evaluations take several hours spread over multiple days. This may not be ideal for younger students or those with inattentive tendencies.
Not all clinicians accept insurance.
Some clinicians have long wait times for scheduling.
Because they are not on school grounds, it can be difficult for private clinicians to gain teacher perspective.
It is generally recommended that private evaluations be updated every three years, particularly for standardized tests such as the ACT and SAT.
Some schools may not recognize the findings in a private evaluation when considering public school services.
The list of cons is concerning when families are considering paying out of pocket for an evaluation. That is why I go to great lengths to minimize these negatives by offering quick scheduling and competitive rates and work with families to find a budget that works for them. Additionally, I almost always solicit input from teachers to help gain an understanding of the student’s functioning at school so that I have a complete picture of the student’s challenges.
If your child has been identified as at-risk for dyslexia or another related disorder, it is critical that you have your child evaluated as soon as possible. Students who receive timely and targeted reading and writing intervention are far more likely to reach grade level in reading and writing. While both public school and private evaluations offer pros and cons, it is important that you ask your school or provider relevant questions to determine the best type of evaluation based on your situation.