Measuring Minds

In honor of Veteran’s Day, we’re proud to acknowledge both the history of our profession and the personal service of one very special member of the Measuring Minds family — our favorite veteran, Daniel (aka Dad, Papoo) Bounds. 💙

In December 1967, Daniel arrived in Da Nang, Vietnam, where he served two tours of duty until 1969. He was honorably discharged following a neck injury sustained during his service. His courage, discipline, and compassion have always been the foundation of our family — and continue to inspire the work we do every day.

Did you know that intelligence testing in the military played a key role in the origins of school psychology? During World War I, psychologists developed large-scale assessments like the Army Alpha and Beta tests to help identify the best roles for soldiers. Decades later, psychologist David Wechsler drew on that early work while developing the Wechsler intelligence scales — tools still used today in modern evaluations for children and adults.

Swipe through to meet our favorite veteran, Daniel Bounds — a man whose service, humility, and heart reflect the very qualities we strive to bring to every evaluation, every family, and every child we serve.

Thank you, Dad. And thank you to all who have served. 🇺🇸

Know Your Rights: The “Evaluation Specialist” at an IEP Meeting

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), every IEP team must include “an individual who can interpret the instructional implications of evaluation results.” (34 CFR §300.321(a)(5))

This person is commonly referred to as the evaluation specialist — and in most school districts, that’s the school psychologist.

The evaluation specialist plays a crucial role in your child’s IEP process. They are the team member qualified to explain what the test data actually mean for your child’s learning, attention, memory, or behavior — and how those findings connect to classroom performance.

You can expect a school psychologist (or other qualified professional) to attend any meeting where evaluation results are being discussed, including:
📘 Initial eligibility determinations
📘 Reevaluations or triennial reviews
📘 Any meeting where assessment data informs services

Under IDEA, parents have the right to know who completed their child’s evaluation and to have results explained in plain language. The goal is for families to understand—not just receive—the data.

During National School Psychology Week, we’re proud to highlight this essential part of what we do: ensuring every child’s strengths and needs are understood, and every parent feels informed, included, and empowered. 💙

📚 IEP & Me: Vocabulary

Today we’re breaking down LRE — Least Restrictive Environment.

At its core, LRE means that students with disabilities should be included with their peers in the general education setting as much as possible. Specialized instruction, accommodations, or supports should be provided in that environment before a more restrictive setting is considered.

This safeguard is a reminder that disability doesn’t mean exclusion—it means finding the right balance of support and inclusion so every child has the chance to learn, grow, and belong. 💙

💬 Did you know about LRE before today? Comment below—we’d love to hear your thoughts.

✨ At Measuring Minds, our psycho-educational evaluations are designed with schools in mind.

As both a private practitioner and a full-time school psychologist in the public school district, I understand the rules, requirements, and state-specific components Florida schools expect. That dual perspective means every report we produce is not only comprehensive—but also practical, clear, and usable by your child’s IEP team.

A full psycho-educational evaluation typically includes:

🧠 Intellectual testing (cognitive strengths + weaknesses)
📚 Academic achievement testing
💬 Social-emotional, and behavioral compontents
📄 Clear recommendations aligned with IDEA and Florida guidelines

If you’ve been told your child may need an evaluation for eligibility, classroom placement, or for their 3-year re-evaluation, this is where clarity begins.

💙 Ready to get started? Let’s talk today about how we can help.