Assessments with Purpose
Families often approach assessment with a mix of hope and uncertainty. Some are seeking documentation for a specific decision, such as grade acceleration. Others are trying to understand why a child with advanced reasoning and deep interests may still struggle with consistency, output, or engagement. In either case, the central question is rarely about a score alone. It is about what the information means, how it fits with what you already know about your child, and how it can be used to make thoughtful next-step decisions.
Which Assessment is Right For Your Family?
Sequoia Gifted offers three distinct assessment pathways, each designed to answer different questions. The Strength-Based Learning Profile provides a comprehensive, integrative analysis of a learner’s strengths and barriers. The Iowa Assessments document academic achievement and grade-level mastery. The Cognitive Abilities Test (CoGAT) provides standardized reasoning scores. These options serve different purposes and may be used independently or in combination, depending on a family’s goals.
Strengths-Based Assessment™ & Educational Fit Analysis™
Using the Suite of Tools' strengths-based assessment system and Dr. Jobe's Educational Fit Analysis, this process identifies learners' strengths, interests, how students learn best, and environmental factors, while examining educational fit and informing educational planning.
Iowa Assessment™
Available for homeschool learners, Iowa assessments measure academic achievement with grade-level mastery. This can provide useful information for instructional planning, acceleration, and documentation of academic progress.
CogAT Assessment®
Available to homeschool learners, the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) measures reasoning abilities and may provide additional information for gifted identification and educational planning. Per testing requirements, the IOWA assessment must be administered along with the CogAT.
'Already Have Neuropsychological Testing?
Many families come to Sequoia Gifted after completing neuropsychological or “IQ” evaluations. Dr. Lisa Jobe’s educational fit analysis helps translate assessment findings into meaningful educational planning and next steps.
Strength-Based Assessment and Educational Fit Analysis
Unlike traditional testing, strengths-based assessment focuses on identifying learner strengths, interests, learning preferences, and environmental factors that influence engagement, growth, and talent development.
At Sequoia Gifted, assessment findings are integrated into a comprehensive Educational Fit Analysis to help families better understand how the learner interacts with the educational environment.
Educational Fit Analysis examines alignment across academic and cognitive, social, emotional, physical and sensory, and creative domains to identifiy strengths, barriers, and opportunities for growth.
Educational Fit Analysis Process
Records Review
Review of relevant educational records, assessment reports, work samples, and supporting documentation.
Family Consultation
Gather information exploring strengths, interests, educational experiences, goals, and concerns while incorporating learner voice and perspective.
Strength-Based Assessment
Utilizing the Suite of Tools assessment system to identify strengths, preferences, interests, and environmental factors influencing engagement and growth.
Educational Fit Analysis
Assessment findings are inegrated with existing data and family input to examine educational fit and identify areas of alignment, mismatch, and opportunity.
Strategic Recommendations
Development of recommendations and next steps tailored to the learner's strengths, needs, interests, and educational goals.
What Happens Next?
Assessment is the beginning of the process. At Sequoia Gifted, strengths-based assessment and Educational Fit Analysis provide the foundation for future planning and decision-making.
As an educational consultant, school advocate, and homeschool partner, Dr. Lisa Jobe works with families to translate assessment findings into meaningful educational decisions and next steps tailored to the learner.
Strategic Educational Planning
Together, we'll develop a personalized roadmap based on the learner's strengths, needs, interests, and long-term goals. Assessment findings help identify priorities, opportunities, and next steps.
School Advocacy
When school-based support is needed, Dr. Lisa Jobe partners with families to develop advocacy strategies, communicate recommendations, and navigate decisions related to placement, acceleration, accommodations, and programming. Support may include advocacy letters, planning meetings, and advocacy in school meetings.
Homeschool & Alternative Pathways
For some families, assessments mark the beginning of a long-term partnership. Dr. Lisa Jobe works alongside families to design, refine, and support homeschool and alternative educational pathways that evolve with the learner over time.