PhD/PsyD Ordering WJ IV vs. WIAT III

[Adie8080]

My practicum site is trying to figure out the expense of ordering the latest version of the Woodcock Johnson vs. ordering the WIAT III. There are multiple examiners at my site and we're all a bit confused as to how the pricing break down works in regards to price per protocol, free scoring, etc. We've tried doing independent research, but it all seems a bit convoluted. Does anyone have experience with this who can provide some more insight into how each publishing company charges? I've examined their websites and catalogs and I still cannot find a definitive answer. I sincerely appreciate it.

Thank you!

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[WisNeuro]

I have been turned off by the WJ people. Lots of their stuff exists within a black box. We inquired about the raw data transformations once because we were thinking of doing a coefficient of variation analysis on them and they refused the release. I like to know how my patient's raw data turns into a standardized score, thank you very much. I'm in favor of a more open, transparent system when it comes to testing, although it seems test publishers are favoring black box scoring and centralized cloud storage.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Last time I used the WJ-III, you were still able to score via an installable computer program that you purchased via one-time fee.

I know Pearson has really been making a push for the Q-Global and Q-Local scoring systems, which are both pay-per-score, although they still do offer score-it-yourself options for most (but not all) tests that I've seen. With the way the VA works, neither Q-Global or Q-Local would work (or likely ever be approved), and thus publishers stand to lose a large proportion of their customers if they ever convert 100% to cloud-based per-use scoring.

I'd imagine that like the WAIS and WMS, the WIAT is being phased into the Q scoring system, but may still have a one-time computer program available for purchase.

And I agree--Pearson's website is unnecessarily complex to navigate when it comes to finding pricing for the one-time purchase options.

Edit: Just checked, and it looks like Pearson still offers the manual scoring kit for the WIAT-III, but does not have computer scoring (unless you use Q-Global/Q-Interactive). Thus, if you don't want to pay per score, you'll need to score by hand.

Edit Again: I take that back, they offer unlimited-use annual scoring subscriptions, but also charge a per-use fee for reports (which I'm guessing are in more depth). And the manual scoring also includes reports. So maybe there's computer scoring after all.

Your best bet may be to call them directly; I'm already confused, and I haven't even looked at the WJ-III.

 

[OneNeuroDoctor]

I used the WJIV and all scoring is done online through the WJ scoring website. Once you have purchased the WJ Cognitive and WJ Achievement for each protocol purchased you have the same number of scoring options on the scoring website. For an additional $100 per year they have a report writer that is seamlessly integrated with the scoring and intervention recommendations.

WIAT III has options for electronic or hand scoring.

Both WJ and Wechsler have sound fidelity psychometrics. I use both and find WJ to provide broadly based data with more CHC factors options. I attended a workshop at NASP covering both WJ IV and WISC V and both now cover all of the CHC factors.

WJ scoring has a site administrator and allows them to have multiple uses with varying privileges.

I would buy both as some referrals required WJ while others require Wechsler.

 

[LETSGONYR]

I used the WJIV and all scoring is done online through the WJ scoring website. Once you have purchased the WJ Cognitive and WJ Achievement for each protocol purchased you have the same number of scoring options on the scoring website. For an additional $100 per year they have a report writer that is seamlessly integrated with the scoring and intervention recommendations.

WIAT III has options for electronic or hand scoring.

Both WJ and Wechsler have sound fidelity psychometrics. I use both and find WJ to provide broadly based data with more CHC factors options. I attended a workshop at NASP covering both WJ IV and WISC V and both now cover all of the CHC factors.

WJ scoring has a site administrator and allows them to have multiple uses with varying privileges.

I would buy both as some referrals required WJ while others require Wechsler.

What type of referral would require the WJ or the WIAT? I've heard some school systems don't accept less well-known academic batteries (like the PIAT-R) but I've never heard of a WJ/WIAT requirement. My experience thus far in my career is that most places want a specific domain tested, but don't have specific requirements for what measures are used (with the possible exception of some state disability services requiring a very comprehensive measure of adaptive functioning, like the Vineland).

Re: Which test to buy, I'd also check with your institution's compliance officer. I know several large hospitals (mine included) won't allow clinicians to use the WJ-IV, since all of the data is given to the company and stored in the cloud, and there are questions over whether or not it is HIPAA-compliant. And, as several people have mentioned on various listservs... it seems fishy that an American company would require all users share their data, but then house the mainframes out of the country (they're in Canada). I'm not saying that they're deliberately skirting federal law, but they certainly opened themselves up to suspicion.

 

[OneNeuroDoctor]

What type of referral would require the WJ or the WIAT? I've heard some school systems don't accept less well-known academic batteries (like the PIAT-R) but I've never heard of a WJ/WIAT requirement. My experience thus far in my career is that most places want a specific domain tested, but don't have specific requirements for what measures are used (with the possible exception of some state disability services requiring a very comprehensive measure of adaptive functioning, like the Vineland).

Re: Which test to buy, I'd also check with your institution's compliance officer. I know several large hospitals (mine included) won't allow clinicians to use the WJ-IV, since all of the data is given to the company and stored in the cloud, and there are questions over whether or not it is HIPAA-compliant. And, as several people have mentioned on various listservs... it seems fishy that an American company would require all users share their data, but then house the mainframes out of the country (they're in Canada). I'm not saying that they're deliberately skirting federal law, but they certainly opened themselves up to suspicion.

Some States require a second Achievement Test. If you do DDA Evals, the SS Caseworker may request WJ or WIAT and some GED accommodation may request either WJ or WIAT. Seems that school districts normally have both but some private practitioners are still using WJ III and WIAT II, and WRAT III or IV.

HIPPA/FERPA electronically is more secure than paper and this was covered in the workshops. ALL medical records were mandated to be electronic by 2014 but it was extended.

Wechsler Tests and WJ Tests are now CHC factor test and there are more similarities than differences.

 

[schoolpsy21]

Both WJ and Wechsler have sound fidelity psychometrics. I use both and find WJ to provide broadly based data with more CHC factors options. I attended a workshop at NASP covering both WJ IV and WISC V and both now cover all of the CHC factors.

Only the WJ-IV Cog covers all 7 broad CHC areas, the WISC-V doesn't have any auditory processing subtests (as far as I recall).

 

[LETSGONYR]

HIPPA/FERPA electronically is more secure than paper and this was covered in the workshops. ALL medical records were mandated to be electronic by 2014 but it was extended.

Electronic medical records aren't the same as a test manufacturer compiling patients' data. I'm not talking about the former.

Though... my feelings and your feelings about it are wholly irrelevant. The compliance officer of my hospital won't allow us to use the WJ-IV because s/he isn't convinced that it is HIPAA-compliant. That's all that matters, even if I totally disagree with their decision or their rationale.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

What type of referral would require the WJ or the WIAT? I've heard some school systems don't accept less well-known academic batteries (like the PIAT-R) but I've never heard of a WJ/WIAT requirement. My experience thus far in my career is that most places want a specific domain tested, but don't have specific requirements for what measures are used (with the possible exception of some state disability services requiring a very comprehensive measure of adaptive functioning, like the Vineland).

Re: Which test to buy, I'd also check with your institution's compliance officer. I know several large hospitals (mine included) won't allow clinicians to use the WJ-IV, since all of the data is given to the company and stored in the cloud, and there are questions over whether or not it is HIPAA-compliant. And, as several people have mentioned on various listservs... it seems fishy that an American company would require all users share their data, but then house the mainframes out of the country (they're in Canada). I'm not saying that they're deliberately skirting federal law, but they certainly opened themselves up to suspicion.

I'm not a huge fan of this whole forced patient data sharing thing. If folks opt in and want to share, that's great; but I don't feel that it should be a requirement.

As for requiring the WJ/WIAT, I've never had an eval that required one but not the other, but back when I did psychoeds, most testing companies/organization required one of the two (and explicitly forbade the WRAT) for accommodations requests. Even the university at which I trained at the time required one of those two for accommodations for its students.

 

[PsyDr]

Scoring is a license per year for Woodcock. Protocols are around $8/set

Wiat is about a dollar cheaper. Hand scored