What is the primary method used to assess learning disabilities in students?

The primary method used to assess learning disabilities in students is the IQ-Achievement Discrepancy Model. This approach compares a student's IQ, which reflects their potential for academic performance, with their actual academic achievements in specific areas such as reading, writing, and mathematics. The significant discrepancy between these two measures indicates a potential learning disability, suggesting that the student is not achieving at their expected level given their cognitive abilities.

This model is widely accepted because it helps educators identify students who may require special education services. By focusing on both cognitive and academic performance, it provides a more comprehensive understanding of a student's learning needs. Students who show a large gap between what they are capable of performing intellectually and their actual performance in school are typically eligible for additional support and interventions tailored to help them succeed.

The other methods listed may play roles in a broader assessment strategy, but they do not specifically serve as the primary means of diagnosing learning disabilities. For instance, behavioral assessments may focus on a student's conduct and social skills rather than their academic potential, and standardized assessments provide general information about performance but do not directly measure discrepancies in IQ and achievement. The Individualized Education Program is a plan developed after a disability is identified but is not itself a method for assessing learning disabilities.