What Is an Educational Assessment and When Might my Child Need One?

Every child learns differently. At times, parents or teachers may notice a child finding school more challenging than expected, or that key skills aren’t developing as they should.

An educational assessment helps you understand why and what will make learning easier.

What Is an Educational Assessment?

An educational assessment is a structured, evidence-based look at how your child learns. It explores areas such as:

• How they think and problem-solve
• Attention, memory, and executive functioning
• Reading, writing, spelling and maths
• Emotional or behavioural factors that may affect learning

The goal is to gain a clear understanding of your child’s strengths and the areas where they may need support.

What Happens During an Educational Assessment?

Although every child’s assessment is tailored to their individual needs, it usually includes:

1.    Parent and Teacher Input

You share your concerns, observations, and learning history. Teachers may provide classroom insights and information about the school context.

2.    One-to-One Sessions With Your Child

This involves standardised tasks, learning activities, and informal conversation to understand how your child learns and approaches challenges.

3.    Review of Schoolwork and Reports

Looking at day-to-day work helps build a full picture of their learning profile.

4.    A Comprehensive Written Report

This brings together information and outlines strengths, areas for support, and practical recommendations for home and school.

5.    A Feedback Meeting

We talk through the results, answer your questions, and plan next steps together.

Signs Your Child Might Benefit From an Educational Assessment

Parents often seek an assessment when their child:

• Struggles with reading, writing, spelling, or maths
• Works hard but continues to fall behind
• Has difficulty focusing, staying organised, or completing tasks
• Shows uneven learning across subjects
• Appears anxious, frustrated, or overwhelmed by schoolwork
• May have dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, or another learning difference
• Seems gifted and needs more challenge or extension

An educational assessment can help at any stage of your child’s development (from early primary to secondary school and even into adulthood).

Benefits of an Educational Assessment

A high-quality assessment can provide:

• A deeper understanding of how your child learns
• Clarity around whether a learning difference is present
• Tailored strategies for teachers and whanau
• Information to support Individual Education Plans (IEPs), or school planning
• A plan to build your child’s confidence through understanding their abilities

Assessments aren’t about labels. They’re about understanding your child. They identify learning barriers, highlight strengths, and guide strategies to help your child overcome challenges and thrive.

Educational Assessment the Wairarapa & Wellington Region

Educational assessments play a key role in supporting learning pathways. For families in the Wairarapa and Wellington Region, assessments can:

• Guide classroom support and accommodations
• Help access specialist services
• Strengthen communication between home and school
• Ensure recommendations reflect local context, culture and learning environments

When Should I Seek an Assessment?

If concerns have been present for a while, or your child’s emotional wellbeing is being impacted, it may be a good time to reach out for support.

Parents don’t need a referral. You can contact an educational psychologist directly for advice. Every child deserves a chance to reach their full learning potential. If you would like to find out more about about an educational assessment for you child, contact me to find out more.

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