When a Student Is Struggling: Could Testing Provide Answers?

Lara Urso, M.Ed., CAGS, LEPEducational PsychologistSpecializing in Academic and Cognitive/Psychological Testing

Sometimes parents know something just isn’t adding up.

A student may be bright and capable, yet homework takes hours. They may understand material but struggle on tests, have difficulty with reading, writing, attention, organization, or time management, or become increasingly frustrated or anxious about school.

Other students may be earning strong grades—but working extraordinarily hard to maintain them.

Parents are often left wondering: Is this simply a challenging stage, or is there something more we should understand?

Academic and psychological testing can help provide answers.

Testing Is About Understanding the Student

The goal of an evaluation isn’t simply to identify a diagnosis. It is to better understand how a student learns—including both strengths and areas of challenge.

Depending on the student, testing may explore cognitive abilities, academic achievement, attention, executive functioning, memory, processing speed, language, and social-emotional functioning.

That information can shift the conversation from “Why is this so difficult?” to “What does this student need to be successful?”

When Might Testing Be Helpful?

Families may consider an evaluation when a student consistently:

• spends significantly more time than expected on homework or studying

• understands material but struggles to demonstrate that knowledge on tests

• has persistent difficulty with reading, writing, or math

• struggles with attention, organization, planning, or completing assignments

• becomes increasingly frustrated or anxious about school

• seems capable of stronger performance than their schoolwork reflects

Testing isn't only for students who are failing. Some students compensate successfully for years, earning good grades while putting in tremendous effort. As academic demands increase, strategies that once worked may no longer be enough.

Turning Information Into Support

A thoughtful evaluation can help families determine appropriate next steps, which may include academic strategies, executive functioning support, additional learning support, or conversations with the school about accommodations or services.

Just as importantly, testing can help students understand themselves. Rather than seeing themselves as “bad at school,” “disorganized,” or “not a good test taker,” they can begin to recognize how they learn, where they struggle, and which strategies help them succeed.

Testing is one piece of a larger picture, but sometimes clarity is the first step.

The goal is to understand how a student learns so we can help them find the strategies and support that allow them to do their best.