School readiness assessment is performed just prior
to a child entering formal schooling (Grade One).
The assessment includes intellectual, emotional,
and sensory-motor skills assessment.
School readiness is of prime importance in ensuring
that a child does not encounter difficulties through placement in a grade or
schooling environment that they do not have the ability to cope with.
Learning Problem
Identification
Once a child has entered formal schooling, teachers
can readily identify whether a child has problems adapting to the demands of
formal education, whether intellectually, emotionally, or behaviorally. The
child is assessed on five key areas, namely intellectual ability (IQ),
scholastic ability (reading, writing, spelling, and mathematics), visuo-spatial
skills, emotional maturity, and personality assessment. The behavior during
assessment is also noted by the psychologist, including attentional ability,
ability to relate to the psychologist, motivation to complete tasks, ability to
structure work, ability to work independently, ability to recognize errors,
etc.
Secondary School Selection
Assessment
At the end of Grade Seven, a child has to go on to
secondary education. Different types of high schools are available, some
specializing in academic achievement, others in technical achievement, as well
as remedial high schools, and special schools. This assessment is designed to
assist the child and his or her parents in choosing the most appropriate school
according to the child’s abilities and needs. The child is assessed on
intellectual (IQ) ability, scholastic (reading, writing, spelling, and
mathematics) skills, emotional maturity, and personality attributes.
Subject Choice Assessment
During the course of the Grade Nine year, a child
is expected to select six or more subjects which will be written as major
subjects in their matric year. The wrong subject choices could have a major
impact on the child’s future career choice and a preliminary career guidance
assessment can be vital in making the most appropriate subject selection.
Career Guidance Assessment
During their Grade Twelve year at school, the young
adult should be preparing for tertiary education. Going on to University—Academic or Technical—the young adult is confronted with a myriad of
choices for future careers. This can prove to be extremely daunting and career
guidance can be essential in limiting the scope of unsuitable career choices
and guiding the child into more desirable career fields. In this assessment the
young adult’s intelligence and personality are assessed through tests and
questionnaires, and compared to their career paths of choice, as well as their
academic achievements up to the time of testing.
Documentation Required to
be Completed for Assessment
School Readiness Assessment
