How to become a dyslexia assessor

Become a full dyslexia assessor and be eligible to apply for an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC Literacy)

SpLD Assessment is a highly regulated area which is currently governed by the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC). You should already be qualified as a Specialist SpLD teacher/practitioner before you can carry out training to become a specialist SpLD assessor.

The Department for Education (DfE) requires that specialist teachers or support tutors who undertake specialist assessments are competent and qualified to do so.

Watch our short video ‘How to Become a Dyslexia Assessor: A simple guide’.

Changes to legislation in 2019 mean that any diagnostic report written at any time by an APC holder can be used to apply for DSA. This means that reports now have a longer lifespan and those commissioning a report may expect to use this report over a longer period and for several purposes. Details can be found on the SASC website.

Dyslexia Action and Real Training offer the following courses/pathways you can follow to enable you to become a full assessor and eligible to apply for an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC).

Please note the following important information:

You should already be qualified as a Specialist SpLD teacher/practitioner BEFORE you can carry out training to become a specialist assessor. In the pathway you can opt to study either the Dyslexia Action Level 5 Diploma route or the Level 7 Certificate route. You do not have to complete the Level 5 Teaching route before moving to Level 7 Teaching Certificate if you meet the entry requirements for Level 7 in the first instance (full details can be found through the links below
The Level 5 Diploma does not carry masters university credits so if you wish to complete a full MEd (180 masters credits) in the future you should opt for the Level 7 route rather than the Level 5
You can only refer to yourself as a specialist teacher if you already hold a teaching qualification, if not you would refer to yourself as a specialist practitioner.

Option one - those not currently holding any SpLD qualifications

Study and gain the Dyslexia Action Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma – Specialist Assessment and Teaching for Literacy-Related Difficulties. In order to achieve this qualification, you will complete option one or two below:

Option one:

DAPP21-01 Literacy Acquisition – Underpinning Theory (30 credits)
DAPP21-02 Specialist Literacy Teaching – Linking Theory to Practice (30 credits)
DAPP21-03 Psychometric Assessment of Literacy-Related Difficulties (30 credits)
DAPP:DPRW Dyslexia: Professional Report Writing (30 credits)

Option two:

DAPP21-01 Literacy Acquisition – Underpinning Theory (30 credits)
DAPP21-02 Specialist Literacy Teaching – Linking Theory to Practice (30 credits)
M02 CCET Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing (30 credits)
M06 DPRW Dyslexia: Professional Report Writing (30 credits

Click here for further information and a programme brochure.

Option two - those who currently hold an eligible Level 5 or 7 SpLD teacher/practitioner qualification, or those holding Real Training's CCET or CPT3A

1.Level 5* or Level 7 SpLD teacher/practitioner accredited qualification e.g., the Dyslexia Action Level 5 Diploma or 7 Certificate programmes or recognised equivalent

* A Level 5 SpLD qualification does not meet the entry requirements for completion of a Level 7 Certificate, Diploma, or Masters, but can be used in the pathway to becoming an assessor.

Plus

Real Training’s M02 CCET Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing (30 credits) and hold current registration with the BPS RQTU (BPS RQTU) as Test User.

Plus

Real Training’s M06 DPRW Dyslexia: Professional Report Writing (30 credits)

Notes:

To enrol on the D-PRW module, it is mandatory to have completed:
– Real Training’s CCET course and hold current registration with the BPS, and
– Hold a level 5 or 7 SpLD eligible SpLD teacher/practitioner qualification eligible for membership of The Dyslexia Guild membership at Associate- ADG level (not ADG FE/HE), or another recognised professional body equivalent membership
You can take up to eight months to study CCET, the DPRW course is twelve months in duration.

If you have previously studied a level 7 programme with Dyslexia Action and are interested in studying our Postgraduate Certificate in Specialist Assessment for Literacy-Related Difficulties please contact trainingcourses@dyslexiaaction.org.uk for further advice.

How to become a dyslexia assessor who can gain an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC)