FAQs

Who is eligible for evaluation at the RCLD at Georgia Southern University?

Students eligible for evaluation at the RCLD @ Georgia Southern must be:

• Currently enrolled in a University System of Georgia (USG) institution served by the RCLD @ Georgia Southern.
• Admitted to one of the USG institutions served by the RCLD @ Georgia Southern.
• Seeking special admissions review at one of the USG institutions served by the RCLD @ Georgia Southern.

I am a student at one of the University System of Georgia institutions served by the RCLD @ Georgia Southern. How do I schedule an evaluation?

• Contact the Access Office or Office of Disability Services at your institution. Ask to speak with the Disability Services Professional (DSP) who is coordinating disability services for students at your college. Served by the RCLD at Georgia Southern.
• Obtain a referral packet from the DSP.
• Complete the referral packet and return it to the DSP, along with a payment.
• The RCLD will contact you upon receipt of your referral packet, to schedule your appointment.

I am a student in the Technical College System of Georgia. How do I schedule an evaluation?

• Contact the Access Office or Office of Disability Services at your institution. Ask to speak with the Disability Services Professional (DSP) who is coordinating disability services for students at your college.
• Request a referral packet from the DSP. The DSP may refer you directly to the RCLD @ Georgia Southern to obtain the packet.  If so, contact the RCLD at (912) 478-0100 to request a referral packet.
• Complete the referral packet and return it to the RCLD, along with payment.
• The RCLD will contact you upon receipt of your referral packet, to schedule your appointment

What do RCLD evaluations consist of?

• The total cost of the evaluation is $500.
• RCLD evaluations are a thorough assessment of cognitive processes and academic strengths and weaknesses.

What do achievement tests measure?

• Achievement tests measure functioning in traditional academic areas, such as reading, writing, and mathematics. Test results reveal academic strengths and weaknesses.

How is intelligence measured?

• Intelligence is a measure of potential. It is not a measure of specific academic skills, but of underlying cognitive processes including: Attention, Fluency/Automaticity, Language, Memory/Learning, Phonological/Orthographical Processing, and Visual Spatial/Perceptual Reasoning.

How long will the evaluation take?

• Testing is very interactive and includes a variety of tasks. The evaluation typically takes from one to two days, depending on the student and his/her needs.

What are the advantages of having an evaluation at the RCLD?

• Students get a thorough evaluation that facilitates the transition to college, and meets BOR criteria at all USG institutions.
• The RCLD has established relationships with Disability Service Providers at each of USG institutions in our service area.
• The RCLD professional staff has experience providing recommendations and accommodations specific to college students.
• The evaluation is conducted by a professional team of experts that include a licensed psychologist, school psychologists, and a neuropsychologist.
• Comprehensive evaluations at the RCLD include assessment of cognitive, academic, attention, and social-emotional functioning.

What can I do with these results?

• Test results can help to identify strengths and weakness, thus helping you to choose an appropriate college major.
• Evaluation results will help the student to capitalize on individual academic strengths, and understand academic weaknesses.
• Test results can help to facilitate referrals to the appropriate academic, career, and personal resources at the your institution.

Are my personal information and test results confidential?

• Yes, your information and results will not be shared with anyone without your consent.

What if I have already been tested?

• If you have been tested within three years of the time you will access accommodations at you USG institution, you may submit your evaluation results to the Disabilities Service Provider (DSP) at your college/university, to find out if it meets the USG criteria for documentation of a disability. If it does meet criteria no further evaluation is necessary. If it does not meet criteria, the DSP will explain what additional testing is necessary in order for your documentation to meet USG guidelines.

I have previously been diagnosed with a disability, but need updated documentation for accommodations in college. Will Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) pay for an evaluation at the RCLD?

• Maybe. Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) has their own set of guidelines for determination of eligibility for VR services. You should contact the VR office in your local area to talk to a VR counselor.

Where can I get more information about the USG criteria for documentation of my disability?

• See the USG Board of Regents Academic and Student Affairs Handbook for additional information.

I have a question that is not addressed at your website. Who can I ask?

• You may contact the RCLD Liaison/Consultant [Dr. Beverly Sermons] for answers to additional questions, or to get further information about services and support available through the RCLD @ Georgia Southern University:  (912) 478-0100 or beverlysermons@georgiasouthern.edu

Last updated: 2/23/2023