A new project at IBE and a complex research challenge

"The development and dissemination of diagnostic tools for the cognitive assessment of children and youth" is a project that will be implemented over the next three years by the Educational Research Institute in cooperation with the SWPS University of Social Sciences and Humanities. As part of the project, innovative diagnostic tools will be developed to assess the cognitive development of children and youth from 3 months to 25 years of age. The developed tests and post-diagnostic materials will be sent to all psychological and pedagogical clinics in Poland.

The project will involve the development of a set of tools to perform a specialized diagnosis of the cognitive functioning children and adolescents. The research will be based on an innovative theoretical concept, using executive functions (memory, attention, thinking) in combination with the sphere of perception, language and communication. Executive functions are essential for proper mental and physical development in various spheres of life. They are important for the functioning that relates to education. The areas cited above determine, among others, school readiness, school success and in the longer term - professional success and the quality of life.

Innovative diagnostic tools

The set of diagnostic tools will include a Battery of Cognitive Tests, measuring such cognitive functions as memory, thinking, attention, and language. The study will be conducted in an attractive form for children and youth and will consist of, among others, tests performed on a computer. This will enable the full standardization of the tests and the acceleration of the diagnostic process by having the results automatically calculated and generating profiles. The Battery of Cognitive Tests will not only allow for the easy selection of tests and actual testing, but also serve as a functional diagnosis.

Tests will be standardized on a nationwide sample of children and youth from 3 months to 25 years of age, taking various forms and having different tasks depending on the subjects’ age. A total of approx. 9,000 children and youth are planned to be tested in all stages of the project.

More effective support for pupils

The developed diagnostic tools will also be used to diagnose pupils with disabilities and special educational needs (SEN), including children with visual and hearing impairments, autism spectrum disorder, learning disorders, intellectual disabilities, bilingual children from different cultures, immigrant children and gifted pupils. Cognitive functioning profiles will be developed for each group. This approach will provide the opportunity to include – and not exclude – pupils with special education needs and to increase the effectiveness of education and support.

The project will be directed for IBE by Prof. Grażyna Krasowicz-Kupis, Ph.D. and Dr. Katarzyna Wiejak, and for SWPS University by Prof. Grzegorz Sędek, Ph.D. and Dr. Magdalena Kaczmarek.