Register Search Your options

About SASC - SpLD Assessment Standards Committee

About SASC - SpLD Assessment Standards Committee

What is SASC?

The SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC) is a representative organisation for professionally qualified diagnostic assessors of specific learning difficulties (SpLD). SASC members work to agreed standards of practice, established collaboratively by the organisation.

SASC was first established in 2005 when a working group comprising SpLD practitioners and Department for Education representatives met to consider what would constitute acceptable evidence of SpLD for a student to qualify for the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA). Since 2005 SASC has extended its remit to become an advisory and regulatory body for practitioner assessors of SpLD.

SASC’s work involves key elements which are to:

  • propose standards and a code of practice for all those involved in assessments, including the production of reports in an agreed and accessible format.
  • maintain a publicly accessible list of qualified assessors.
  • identify a selection of tests that can be used by appropriately trained and qualified professionals, alongside guidelines for practice and training.
  • support the implementation of updated guidance around the assessment of SpLDs, providing advice about identifying, assessing and referring students with any of the named SpLDs.
  • report to members of SASC through the Annual General Meeting (AGM) which takes place in early summer every year along with the Annual Conference. 

SASC Partners

 

SASC works in co-operation with key professional associations for SpLD practitioners including:

    • ADSHE (Association of Dyslexia Specialists in Higher Education)
    • The BDA (British Dyslexia Association)
    • The Dyslexia Guild
    • Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity
    • Patoss (The Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties)

as well as other specialist organisations concerned with assessment and a wide range of SpLD matters. Members of SASC are committed to principles of good practice across all age ranges and throughout the profession.

See also

Our aims

  • Promote and monitor standards for SpLD Assessment Professionals
  • Advise on models of good practice in the delivery of Continuing Professional Development
  • Provide a forum for sharing good practice from a range of interested bodies
  • Draw on expertise across the sector to provide guidance on training and the implementation of standards
  • Oversee and approve processes of awarding SpLD Assessment Practising Certificates.
  • Promote and monitor standards for SpLD Assessor Training relating to all age ranges

This group encompasses the SpLD Test Evaluation Committee which serves to:

  • Review and evaluate assessment materials on a regular basis.
  • Revise and update the test recommendations of the SpLD Working Group 2005/DfES Guidelines.
  • Maintain a list of approved assessment materials for SpLDs in higher education.
  • Engage with the publishers and distributors of assessment materials.
  • Carry out other business as advised by and agreed with SASC.
  • Report to SASC on a regular basis, including an annual written report to be submitted to SASC‘s AGM by the Chair.

How can we help?

Find an Assessor

SASC maintains a publicly accessible list of professionally qualified specialist teacher assessors.

SASC Approved CPD

SASC maintains a list of approved continuing professional development which is suitable for qualified SpLD practitioners and meets regulatory requirements.

Guidance

SASC publishes advisory and regulatory guidance for SpLD practitioners.

Training

SASC approves SpLD training courses which lead to accredited practitioner status.