Achi news desk-
Alberta parents, teachers and the official opposition are pushing for better provincial access to psycho-educational assessments for students.
The assessments are a way of gathering information about a child’s academic and social functioning in order to better understand their strengths, weaknesses and learning needs. They are typically requested by parents or teachers and can identify complex disabilities at a young age.
But right now, in Alberta, they’re not easy to come by.
Parents and teachers often complain of year-long waiting times and financial barriers. Insurance is not always applicable to receiving a private assessment and can be as high as $5,000, according to one parent.
“I’m scrambling to find anyone who will do it at a cheaper rate, but we’re coming up short,” said Katrina Holmes. “There is not enough funding, there is not enough … nothing in place for these children.”
That’s part of what prompted NDP MLA Julia Hayter to introduce Bill 208.
If passed, the bill would establish a school psychological services committee that would review the legislation regarding psycho-educational assessments and consider financial support.
“Far too many kids fall behind their classmates simply because they don’t get a psycho-educational assessment at an appropriate time if they get it at all,” Hayter said.
“There are not enough psychologists in the system to meet the demand and as a result, not all students who need an assessment get it.”
The committee established by the measure would have a year to present a report with recommendations to the legislature.
The minister would then have a year to introduce legislation that addresses those recommendations.
Holmes says she hopes it’s a bipartisan effort.
“Society wants these children to be productive and grow and be successful, but the first step is a psycho-examination assessment, which (many) cannot access,” he said.
The UCP government has not yet tackled the measure.
