We provide a pedagogical assessment?
Learning Tools provides pedagogical assessments—learning-focused evaluations that are different from official educational testing. Rather than assigning a score or grade, a pedagogical assessment observes how students think, learn, and apply their skills.
How long does the assessment take and what does it cost?
The pedagogical assessment takes 90 minutes and costs $480.
What skills does the assessment evaluate?
The assessment includes reading, math, and writing components. While students may experience it as a “test,” it’s really an observation of how well they follow directions and demonstrate their abilities across these three areas.
What is the goal of this assessment?
The primary goal is to understand how your student thinks and learns, and to identify specific areas where they may be struggling. This insight helps guide personalized learning support.
Student and Facilitators time:
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- Questionnaire rating strengths and abilities
- Reading – San Diego Quick Assessment (SDQA)*
- Reading aloud for 5-10 minutes at SDQA instructional level*
- Comprehension questions*
- Math – 2 equations for adding, subtracting, multiplication, and division*
- Writing – 2-3 sentences, if the student writes in cursive in both print and cursive
- Dominance evaluation – ie. left/right handedness, as well as eye, ears, feet
- Tossing of bean bags or other midline crossing activity
- Balancing
* Adjustments are made for 5-7-year-old children in amounts/levels based on a conversation with parents.
Report to parent/student via email the following day:
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- Written pedagogical assessment review including:
- dominance profile
- thinking style
- SDQA results
- motivation remarks
- program recommendations (if a program is advised).
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What happens during the assessment?
During the 90-minute session, your student will work with a facilitator through a series of activities designed to observe their learning process. The facilitator begins by having your student complete a questionnaire that rates their strengths and abilities. This helps establish a baseline understanding of how your student perceives their own skills.
What specific activities are included?
The assessment includes three main skill areas:
Reading: Your student will take the San Diego Quick Assessment (SDQA), which involves reading aloud for 5-10 minutes at their instructional level, followed by comprehension questions to assess understanding.
Math: Your student will work through 2 equations in each of the four basic operations—adding, subtracting, multiplication, and division.
Writing: Your student will write 2-3 sentences. If your student writes in cursive, they’ll demonstrate this in both print and cursive formats.
Beyond academics, the facilitator will also conduct a dominance evaluation to determine left or right handedness, as well as eye, ear, and foot dominance. The session includes movement activities like tossing bean bags or similar midline crossing exercises, and a balancing assessment.
Note: For children ages 5-7, adjustments are made to the amounts and levels of these activities based on a conversation with parents.
What will I receive after the assessment?
Within one business day, you’ll receive a written pedagogical assessment review via email. This report includes your student’s dominance profile, thinking style, SDQA results, motivation remarks, and program recommendations if a program is advised.
- Written pedagogical assessment review including:
