Blog

As schools and districts aim to provide high-quality learning experiences for all students, digital assessments play a critical role in determining where gaps might exist. Today, traditional paper-based assessments are at times found to be inefficient and inflexible for monitoring and evaluating student learning progress. In contrast, digital assessments can improve the process, ensuring students who need additional support are identified while easing the workloads of overburdened educators in understaffed schools and districts. 

Dr. Lynsey Psimas, Ph.D and Dr. Paul Williams PsyD attended CNS Summit 2023 and were fortunate to have the opportunity to present their poster, Precision Matters: An Analysis on How Various Scores Behave When Measuring Change Over Time; Factors That Inform Score Selection for the Best Results”.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults (aged 15 to 34 years) in Canada. Many of today’s young people are grappling with extraordinary circumstances, from pervasive mental health struggles to financial hardships to challenging peer or family relationships. These stressors can impact mental, emotional and physical well-being such that the challenges feel insurmountable, leading some to take their own life. 

The start of Dyslexia Awareness Month in October is a prime opportunity for educators to evaluate their school’s or district’s approach to working with students with dyslexia and, if needed, update their procedures to better support students on their journey to reading success.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders diagnosed in Canada, affecting approximately 5% to 7% of children, according to the Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada (CADDAC). While it frequently manifests itself through challenges in maintaining concentration and managing impulses, ADHD can also impact the mental and emotional health of students; it can be associated with higher risks of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and other disorders and behaviours that can profoundly affect social relationships, behaviour and academic performance.

You don’t have to look far to find an article detailing the state of student achievement these days. Math and reading scores are down from where they were pre-pandemic and educators and parents alike are scrambling to find ways to close the gap. Unfortunately, academic scores aren’t the only concern in need of attention; an extraordinary percentage of our students are facing mental health challenges — many of them dire.