Learning loss vs. disability: how schools can adjust evaluation strategies for a post-pandemic world
Discover how K-12 schools can distinguish pandemic learning loss from a potential disability. Learn practical Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and tele-assessment strategies to support the increased demand for special education-related evaluations—without overwhelming your school district’s team. From an edWeb webinar featuring Dr. Jacqueline Rodriguez (NCLD), Robin Lake (CRPE), and Bonnie Contreras, Ed.S., NCSP (Presence). […]
Educating your staff on the benefits and limitations of teletherapy
Teletherapy for schools, the remote delivery of services like speech therapy, counseling, occupational therapy, and psychoeducational assessments, has become central to how districts deliver special education-related services. As districts work to meet every student’s needs, teletherapy offers a flexible, scalable, and research-backed way to expand access, boost engagement, and streamline services. To implement teletherapy for […]
A 3-step guide to introducing teletherapy and remote assessments in your school district’s budget
As demand for special education and mental health services grows, schools may face staffing shortages, high caseloads, or limited budgets. Without special education-related support, districts may struggle to provide timely services for students who need evaluations, speech-language therapy, or mental health services. Teletherapy and remote assessments for schools can be a practical and flexible way […]
Bringing digital innovation to schools through the new Woodcock-Johnson® V
Learn how remote administration of the WJ V™ can empower your schools to serve more students with diverse learning needs.
The real value of remote education evaluations
Here’s what we know to be true: Surging demand for cognitive, academic, and behavioral evaluations is overwhelming schools. With staffing shortages and increasing referrals, remote psychoeducational evaluations offer a creative and credible solution to support diverse student needs across the nation. That’s why at Presence, we’re proud to provide evidence-based remote evaluations, which eases the […]
7 ways remote services are changing school psychology
We’re celebrating 7 million teletherapy sessions since 2009 by highlighting the inspiring leaders and innovators at Presence who are dedicated to building solutions for schools and students with diverse needs. Bonnie Contreras, Ed.S., NCSP, is the Senior Director of Clinical Solutions at Presence. Bonnie’s 15-year career as a traditional and remote school psychologist has fueled […]
Post-pandemic parent concerns: Eye-opening data schools need to see
SPECIAL EDUCATOR INSIGHTS Post-pandemic parent concerns: Eye-opening data schools need to see Parents are worried. The post-pandemic landscape has revealed troubling changes in their children—shifts in behavior and academic challenges that may hinder future potential. Right now, schools are striving to keep pace with the growing need for timely evaluations and lack of clinical support. […]
Two-thirds of parents are worried about post-pandemic learning: What your school needs to know
As young children start school and older kids transition to new educational stages, parents are grappling with concerns about their children’s post-pandemic growth and development. This prompts important questions for school leaders: Are they anxious about their kids entering middle school, high school, and beyond after the disruptions? Do parents believe learning loss is fixable, […]
Demystifying student behavior: Understanding the goals of functional behavioral assessments
Challenging behaviors in schools are a complex issue with significant implications for students, educators, and the overall learning environment. These behaviors can range from disruptive outbursts to academic difficulties and often require specialized interventions¹. To address these challenges effectively, educators and support staff must investigate the underlying reasons for these disruptive student behaviors. Functional behavioral assessments […]
Closing the Evaluation Gap
Schools today are challenged by a variety of issues—regional staffing shortages, increased demand for special education services, and seasonal spikes in student referrals, to name a few. No matter the issue, the result is the same: despite best efforts, too many students are not being evaluated in a timely manner, and educators are not receiving […]
Language and Communication Skills in Early Childhood
Students entering kindergarten come to school with varying levels of oral language and communication skills. By age three, which is far before kindergarten begins, children with typically developing language skills should be comfortable answering common questions verbally and should not be relying on head nods or gestures as their main form of communication. A child’s […]
English Language Learner Issues Part 1: How to Determine When Your Student Needs a Bilingual Evaluation
“Lorena” is a fourth grader who is struggling in Reading Comprehension and Language Arts. She was born in the US and has been in the US school system since Kindergarten, but her teacher notes that she has difficulty finding words when answering questions in class. Lorena uses very simple sentence structures in her writing and […]