What is SASC?

SpLD Assessment Standards Committee

This steering committee is a standard-setting group concerned with the diagnostic assessment of specific learning difficulties in an educational setting. The authority for this committee and its remit stem from the SpLD Working Group 2005/DfES Guidelines. The committee seeks to extend the principles of good practice contained in the Guidelines across all age ranges and throughout the profession.

SASC aims to

  • implement the training recommendations of the SpLD Working Group 2005/DfES Guidelines
  • promote and monitor standards of SpLD assessor training relating to all age ranges
  • promote continuing professional development in SpLD assessment
  • advise on models of good practice in this continuing professional development
  • monitor standards of this continuing professional development
  • provide a forum for sharing good practice from a range of interested bodies
  • draw on expertise across the sector
  • provide guidance on training, implementation of standards
  • oversee and approve processes of awarding SpLD Assessment Practising Certificates
  • maintain list of approved evaluators for APL/APE applications
  • provide training for evaluators
  • approve courses as meeting standards of SpLD assessor training

This group encompasses the SpLD Test Evaluation Committee [STEC] which serves to

  • evaluate test tools
  • review the approved/recommended tests of the SpLD Working Group 2005/DfES
  • provide a forum for sharing good practice from a range of interested bodies
  • draw on expertise across the sector
  • maintain list of approved testing tools for SpLDs in higher education



Please note: DSA Guidance Revised


Revised edition of the DSA guidance chapter for LAs is published on the DIUS website at this link.


07-08 updated DSA guidance for LAs is published on the DIUS website
click here