When assessing children’s learning, development, and sensory needs, it is crucial to have a qualified professional conduct the evaluations. A specialist with a Master’s degree in Special Education meets the required qualifications to administer and interpret standardized assessments that help parents, teachers, and other specialists understand a child’s strengths and challenges. Read more about Pearson Assessments Qualifications policy.
Pearson, a global leader in educational and psychological assessments, classifies tests into different qualification levels:
| Qualifications policy |
|---|
| Level A: Anyone with general education and training can administer Level A assessments. No specific background in psychology or special education is required. |
| Level B: A master’s degree in psychology, education, speech language pathology, occupational therapy, social work, counseling, or in a field closely related to the intended use of the assessment, and formal training in the ethical administration, scoring, and interpretation of clinical assessments. |
| Level C: A doctorate degree in psychology, education, or a closely related field with formal training in the ethical administration, scoring, and interpretation of clinical assessments related to the intended use of the assessment. |
A professional holding a Master’s degree in Special Education qualifies for Level B assessments, meaning they are authorized to purchase, administer, and interpret several key assessments used to evaluate children’s academic, sensory, and developmental needs.
Assessments Conducted by a Level B Qualified Professional
A Level B qualified assessor can administer the following standardized assessments:
1. Sensory Profile 2
- Purpose: Evaluates how children process sensory information and how it affects their daily functioning.
- Who It Helps: Parents, teachers, and therapists looking to understand a child’s sensory needs.
2. Academic Assessment (WRAT-5)
- Purpose: Measures fundamental academic skills, including reading, spelling, and math computation.
- Who It Helps: Identifies learning difficulties and academic strengths/weaknesses.
3. Developmental Assessments (DAYC-2 & Vineland-3)
- DAYC-2 (Developmental Assessment of Young Children, Second Edition)
- Evaluates cognitive, communication, social-emotional, physical, and adaptive behavior skills.
- Helps determine developmental delays in young children.
- Vineland-3 (Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Third Edition)
- Assesses adaptive behaviors such as communication, socialization, and daily living skills.
- Used for diagnosing developmental disabilities and creating intervention plans.
Importance of Choosing a Qualified Assessor
Selecting a professional with Level B qualifications ensures that:
- Assessments are conducted following standardized guidelines.
- Results are accurately interpreted to guide intervention strategies.
- Parents, teachers, and therapists receive reliable insights into the child’s needs.
For comprehensive assessments to better understand a child’s learning or development, a Level B qualified specialist is required to provide reliable and accurate evaluations.
