What is a learning disability?

A learning disability, also referred to as a learning disorder, is an information-processing problem that prevents a person from learning a skill and using it effectively. Learning disabilities generally affect people of average or above average intelligence. As a result, the disability  appears as a gap between expected skills, based on age and intelligence, and academic performance. Common learning disabilities affect a child's abilities in reading, written expression, math or nonverbal skills. (Source: Mayo Clinic)

What is dyslexia?

Dyslexia is the most commonly diagnosed learning disability. For individuals with dyslexia, specific portions of the brain typically associated with important reading processes may not develop or function in the same ways that they do in individuals without dyslexia. While it impairs the reading fluency of students taught by “mainstream methods,”  people with dyslexia can learn to read with evidence-based explicit instruction. Dyslexia does not otherwise impact the brain structure or functioning, or the intellectual, imaginative, or emotional functioning of the individual. (Source National Center on Improving Literacy)

How do I know if my child needs an assessment?

Signs of dyslexia become more apparent as academic demands on a student increase and a child progresses through school. The following are common symptoms of dyslexia in school aged children:

• Reading well below the expected level for age

• Problems processing and understanding what he or she hears

• Difficulty finding the right word or forming answers to questions

• Problems remembering the sequence of letters or words

• Difficulty seeing (and occasionally hearing) similarities and differences in letters and words

• Inability to sound out the pronunciation of an unfamiliar word

• Difficulty spelling

• Spending an unusually long time completing tasks that involve reading or writing

• Avoiding activities that involve reading

(Source Mayo Clinic)

What is a psychoeducational evaluation?

A psychoeducational evaluation is the general term for the combination of subtest and assessments that a licensed professional administers to determine if a student has a learning disability. Typical components of a psychoeducational evaluation include assessments of a student’s cognitive abilities and academic skills. Typically, and in the case of Marker Learning, a student’s performance on these tests are compared to those of hundreds of students in his or her age group so that the professional can create a clear picture of the student’s relative strengths and weaknesses and learning needs.

What is telepsychology?

Telepsychology is the practice of providing behavioral and/or mental health care services using technical interfaces, as compared to traditional face-to-face methods (e.g., via video teleconferencing) (Source American Psychological Association)

Are telepsychology evaluations just as effective as in person evaluations?

Several published research articles have studied the effectiveness of remote administration compared to in-person administration of gold standard assessments and found no significant  differences between the scores on any index or individual test between the administration procedures. (Source American Board of Assessment Psychology)

Who completes the evaluations?

For every student, a licensed Marker Learning psychologist conducts a thorough review of the student’s education, social, and medical history, administers the evaluations, writes a comprehensive report, and shares his or her findings with the student’s caregiver(s). 

How much does a Marker Learning evaluation cost?

All Marker Learning evaluations cost $995. No hidden fees or extras. We believe in transparent pricing.

How long does the evaluation take?

The evaluation consists of two sessions with the student that can last between 4-6 hours, and a 1 hour feedback session with the student’s caregiver(s).

What are the benefits of getting a Marker Learning evaluation?

The end product of a Marker Learning evaluation is a clearer picture of a student’s learning needs and a roadmap to academic success. By looking at how a student’s brain functions and assessing his or her academic abilities, Marker Learning psychologists can identify each student’s unique learning needs, so that he or she can get the support needed to excel. Students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities can be as academically successful as their non-learning disabled peers if teachers and caregivers understand how the student learns and remove any learning barriers along the way.  

What is included in the report?

The Marker Learning report layout and contents were designed by Johns Hopkins and leading psychologists and it includes a description of critical elements of the student’s education, social, and medical history, an overview of the assessments administered, the student’s results and their comparison to students in a similar cohort, a synthesis of findings that included relative strengths and weaknesses, and clear recommendations that would help the student excel. 

Do you accept insurance?

Because most insurance does not cover the cost of psychoeducational assessments, we do not currently accept insurance. Instead, we aim to keep our prices as low as possible to make it affordable for schools and families. If you need assistance affording a Marker evaluation please reach out to us at hello@markerlearning.com

What states are you available in? 

Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, California, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin.

What computer set up do I need?

To properly conduct a Marker Learning evaluation, the student needs access to a computer, stable internet, and a distraction free, quiet environment.

Do schools accept Marker evaluations for IEP and 504 plans?

The result of a Marker Learning evaluation is a synthesis of the psychologist’s findings, diagnosis of learning disabilities such as dyslexia, if applicable, and recommendations for support. 

The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), which is a federal law that protects the rights of students with disabilities, states that a private evaluation conducted by a professional must be considered by a school district. School districts do not have to accept the evaluation if it does not meet their criteria. While Marker Learning cannot guarantee that a given school district will accept its evaluation, the Marker Learning platform was designed to be as compatible as possible with a typical school district’s processes. Components of Marker Learning evaluations are gold-standard assessments that are well known in the special education world.