Updated February 2026
Educational assessments should not feel confusing, inaccessible, or reserved only for families in crisis.
Parents deserve to understand how their child is performing academically; not just whether they are “on grade level,” but how they are processing language, solving problems, organizing information, and applying skills. Too often, families receive limited feedback from schools or wait months for testing results that lack clear next steps.
Educational assessments should provide clarity, direction, and empowerment, not overwhelm.
Educational assessments provide a detailed picture of a student’s academic strengths, areas of need, and learning profile. Unlike general classroom testing, comprehensive assessments examine how a child learns, not just what they know.
High-quality educational assessments can help answer questions like:
When families understand the root cause of academic difficulty, they can make informed decisions about intervention, accommodations, and support.
In many school systems, formal educational testing is primarily reserved for students being evaluated for special education services. While school-based evaluations serve an important role, they are often limited in scope and availability.
Some students may never receive an evaluation, such as students who are:
Educational assessments should not be reactive. They should be proactive.
Comprehensive educational assessments often cost well over $5,000. That reality can make families hesitate, even when they know something feels off.
It is true that high-quality testing requires specialized training, standardized tools, scoring systems, and professional interpretation. Those elements matter.
What also matters is ensuring families receive:
An educational assessment should provide you with a clear report that generates direction.
If you are considering testing for your child, ask:
The goal of educational assessments is not a label. It is clarity. When families understand how their child learns, they can replace uncertainty with strategy.
Educational assessments should not feel exclusive or inaccessible. They should provide families with insight, confidence, and a plan forward.
If you’ve been questioning your child’s academic progress, fluctuating grades, reading challenges, or executive functioning struggles, seeking clarity is not overreacting; it is advocating.
Every child deserves support that matches how their brain learns.
What is an educational assessment?
An educational assessment is a comprehensive evaluation that identifies a student’s academic strengths, weaknesses, and potential diagnosed learning differences. These assessments help parents and educators understand how a student learns best and what strategies or interventions will support their success at school and home.
How is a private educational assessment different from school testing?
While school testing is often limited to determining eligibility for special education services, private educational assessments go much deeper. They provide a full picture of a child’s academic, cognitive, and processing skills, offering more clear actionable insights and recommendations.
How much does an educational assessment cost in Denver?
Costs can vary widely, with many evaluations costing well over $5,000. At Strive Learning Solutions, we believe assessments should be accessible and affordable, which is why we offer free dyslexia screeners with tutoring packages and fair prices for full evaluations.
Does Strive Learning Solutions offer educational assessments in Denver?
Yes. Strive Learning Solutions provides both academic screeners and full educational assessments for students across the Denver Metro area, including Arvada, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge, and Golden, as well as virtual options for families anywhere. Our goal is to make testing affordable, accessible, and easy to understand.
Brian Allender is the founder of Strive Learning Solutions, a specialized tutoring company focused on supporting neurodivergent students, including those with learning disabilities, dyslexia, ADHD, and autism. Strive Learning Solutions provides highly personalized, expert instruction to build both academic skills and confidence. With nearly a decade of experience working with neurodivergent students across all grade levels, Brian leads a team committed to empowering students to make meaningful, lasting progress.
