Families often ask, “Why are two different assessments needed?” while navigating the world of learning differences and developmental delays. One from the school, one from the clinic. One feels warm and hands-on, the other feels official and clinical. And yet, both serve a vital role in a child’s journey. Its time we demystify the difference.
Educational Assessments: Mapping How a Child Learns!
Educational assessments—often called skill-based or informal assessments—are conducted within special education settings. These are not about assigning labels or categories. They are about understanding a child’s learning rhythm.
In these assessments, we explore:
- How a child responds to instructions and structure
- Strengths and lags in reading, writing, spelling, math, and communication
- Executive function skills like memory, planning, and attention
- Social behavior, classroom adjustment, and daily living competence
Tools used include curriculum-based inventories (like IRI), functional checklists (like ABLLS-R), visual rubrics, and one-on-one task-based observations.
Purpose: To design a personalized intervention plan that empowers the child, bridges gaps, and builds confidence.
Psychometric Assessments: Diagnosing and Documenting!
On the other hand, psychometric assessments are formal, standardized evaluations carried out by RCI-licensed clinical psychologists. These assessments are designed to:
- Diagnose intellectual or developmental disorders
- Assign IQ scores or developmental age bands
- Provide official certification for CBSE, NIOS, RTE accommodations
These assessments use standardized tools like WISC, MISIC, Binet-Kamat, VSMS, and others.
Purpose: To provide a diagnostic label and legal documentation required by schools, boards, and government bodies.
Why Both Are Needed?
This is not a battle between one being better than the other—it is a partnership.
An educational assessment guides therapeutic planning—what goals to set, what strategies to use.
A psychometric assessment fulfills administrative requirements—what accommodations are allowed, what certification is needed.
One helps the child in the classroom.
The other helps the child in the system.
What Often Gets Missed?
Many families (and sometimes schools) underestimate the power of educational assessments. They are often seen as “unofficial” or “not enough.” But these assessments:
- Track real progress, not just scores
- Provide direct insights into learning behavior
- Are often more actionable for therapy and teaching
A psychometric report might diagnose dyslexia.
But an educational report tells you whether the child struggles more with blends, sight words, or inference.
As professionals, families, and educators, we must understand that skill-building and certification serve different goals.
Children are not just diagnoses—they are learners, dreamers, and explorers.
Let us offer them both: the structure to be understood, and the support to grow.
If you’re a parent navigating this path or a school interested in learning support frameworks, feel free to connect. I’d be happy to help you understand your child’s learning needs in depth.
You can send an email at taniyaahujaofficial@gmail.com or simply call at +91-7217861476