What does an evaluation involve?
Each ARK evaluation is tailored to the student’s unique needs and typically includes:
• A review of the client’s developmental, educational, and medical history
• Relevant assessments to identify academic strengths and weaknesses
• Diagnosis of a learning disorder, if applicable
• A summary of how learning challenges may affect academic or workplace performance
• Recommendations for classroom and testing accommodations, when appropriate
• Instructional guidance using evidence-based strategies to support learning success
Can my child receive instruction if they have not had an evaluation, IEP, or previous testing anywhere?
Yes. An evaluation, IEP, or previous testing is not required for your child to receive instruction at ARK. We work with students at a variety of starting points and can use information gathered during the intake process and our own instructional assessments to understand a learner’s needs and determine an appropriate starting point.
My child has been tested so often; do I need your testing?
If your child has had a recent comprehensive educational evaluation, additional testing may not be necessary. However, ARK conducts individualized assessments for students who have not received recent or sufficient evaluations to guide instruction effectively.
How do I get started?
The first step is to schedule a free 30-minute phone consultation with ARK’s Inquiry Coordinator.
• If you decide ARK would be a good fit, the coordinator will email the required intake forms.
• The client will be placed on our waitlist after ARK receives the completed paperwork.
• If applying for a scholarship, the client/parent/guardian will be notified by email about eligibility and awards.
• When a client is matched with an Instructional Specialist or Educational Therapist, that service provider will contact you to schedule appointments.
Will my health insurance cover your services?
ARK does not accept insurance.
What is the cost of an evaluation?
The full cost of an ARK evaluation is $2,850. This includes:
• One intake meeting and one results conference
• Testing spans approximately 6 to 8 hours and is scheduled across multiple sessions to support focus and reduce fatigue.
• A comprehensive written report
• Optional communication with your child’s school team, if requested
How do we get the results of assessments?
Once final payment is received, the Educational Therapist will review the report with you in a results conference and provide you an electronic or hard copy of the evaluation report.
Do you provide a diagnosis?
ARK Educational Therapists can diagnose learning disorders when appropriate, based on a comprehensive evaluation. If there is evidence of a significant discrepancy between a student’s potential and performance, and other criteria are met, a diagnosis may be made. Whether or not a diagnosis is given, the evaluation and resulting report provide valuable insights into the learner’s strengths and challenges, along with personalized recommendations for instruction, classroom supports, and academic or workplace accommodations.
What happens after the evaluation?
After the results meeting, if appropriate, we may recommend individualized instruction at ARK or provide referrals and resources. Instructional goals are based on the assessment findings and your child’s educational needs.
Do schools in this area accept your evaluations?
Yes. ARK evaluations are often accepted by public and private schools in the region, and colleges and universities nationwide. Our comprehensive assessments follow established best practices and include detailed, actionable recommendations. While acceptance ultimately depends on each school district’s policies, many families have successfully used ARK reports to advocate for services, accommodations, or support plans within schools.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, checks, and credit card payments. Credit card payments can be made in person, by phone, or securely through ARK’s website.
What is your confidentiality policy?
ARK takes privacy and confidentiality seriously. We comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other applicable privacy laws. We do not share any client information—including assessment results, instructional notes, or progress updates—with outside parties unless we have written consent from the parent, guardian, or eligible student.
What qualifications do your evaluative and instruction staff have?
All instructional staff hold at least a bachelor’s degree and follow the guidelines for earning certification from the Center for Effective Reading Instruction (CERI). Instructors hold or are pursuing Structured Literacy Classroom Teacher or Interventionist certifications. Evaluators have master’s degrees and are licensed school psychologists. All instructional staff participate in ongoing professional development in research-based instructional methods.
How is ARK instruction different from tutoring?
Unlike general tutoring, ARK provides individualized instruction rooted in evidence-based practices. Instruction is designed to address the underlying causes of learning difficulties, not just surface-level academic struggles. Goals are personalized and tied directly to each client’s evaluation or previous testing results.
What do your instruction sessions look like?
Each 50-minute session is one-on-one and structured to support your child’s learning goals using research-based strategies. Sessions are interactive, skill-focused, and tailored to your child's pace and needs.
Is there homework?
It depends. Homework is suggested on a case-by-case basis depending on the student’s needs, instructional goals, the instructor’s judgment, and collaboration with the family and school (if permission is granted). Some students benefit from short practice activities between sessions, while others focus solely on in-session instruction. Homework is always designed to support—not overwhelm—the learner.
How long does it take before I see results from instruction?
Each learner progresses at a different pace, but most families begin to see measurable gains within the first few months, depending on consistency and individual needs.
How will I know how my child is doing in their instruction?
Progress is measured periodically using tools like DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) and shared with the client, family, or guardian. Instructors also provide informal updates through verbal conversations, email, or text—whichever method is agreed upon between the client/family/guardian and instructor. Communication frequency may vary based on the student’s program and needs, but you’re always welcome to request an update at any time.
Can you provide one-on-one services at my child’s school?
Yes, in-school sessions may be available depending on the instructor’s schedule and the school’s permission. Availability also depends on the geographic proximity of the school to the ARK office or the assigned instructor. An additional travel fee is applied to each in-school session. Please contact us to discuss specific arrangements and availability.
Do you offer remote services?
Yes. ARK offers remote (virtual) instruction for learners who live outside driving distance or need the flexibility and convenience of online sessions. Instruction can also be hybrid—some sessions in person, some online—depending on what best supports the learner’s progress and family’s needs.
Evaluations must be conducted in person. This is because comprehensive assessments require standardized testing protocols that must be administered in a controlled setting to ensure accuracy and validity. In-person evaluations allow us to observe behaviors, attention, and problem-solving strategies that are essential to making informed recommendations.
If you live far from our Tacoma-Pierce County based service area, remote instruction is a great option. We’re happy to discuss how ARK can support your learner, no matter where you’re located.
How much do your services cost?
• Educational Evaluation – $2,850
• Dyslexia Screening – $650
• Individualized Instruction – $100 per 50-minute session
• Expert consultation and participation in IEP and Evaluation school meetings - $100 for the first hour; $30 for each additional half-hour
• Gifted Testing - $450
• Teacher Trainings, Professional Development (with clock hour option), Presentations for Community Groups – Cost varies, please inquire
Do you guarantee results?
While we cannot guarantee specific outcomes, ARK uses proven methods backed by research, and we track progress regularly to adjust instruction for the best possible results.
What ages do you serve?
We work with individuals ages 5 through adult.
How do you determine eligibility for scholarships?
As donation and grant funds are available, an ARK Scholarship Committee determines sliding scale scholarship decisions on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Federal Poverty Guidelines and a client/family/guardian reported taxable income. The committee also takes extenuating circumstances into account to ensure that services are accessible to as many clients as possible.