PBAssessments
Meet Dr. Paul Black
Dr. Paul Black (“Dr. P” to his students) is a nationally certified school psychologist with over 15 years of experience serving students, families, and school teams across public, private, and virtual settings. He holds an Ed.D. in School Psychology from Loyola University Chicago, as well as an Ed.S. and M.Ed. from Idaho State University, and a B.S. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Utah.
Paul is the founder of PBAssessments, where he provides dyslexia evaluations, literacy-focused psycho-educational assessments, IEP consulting services, and contracted evaluations for schools. His background includes leadership roles in both clinical and educational organizations.
Dr. Black has delivered professional development workshops nationwide and has been invited to present at major literacy and education conferences, including the Big Sky Literacy Summit, Region 10 Dyslexia Summer Institute, the Council of Administrators of Special Education, and multiple Decoding Dyslexia events.
Licensed in Utah, Idaho, and Arizona, he is a member of the National Association of School Psychologists and the Utah Association of School Psychologists. His work focuses on empowering struggling readers, supporting special education teams, and building bridges between research and everyday practice.
Services
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We assess for dyslexia using the Tests of Dyslexia (TOD) to measure phonological processing, rapid naming, and decoding skills. Further testing also involves assessing cognitive processing, broad academic achievement, and a clinical interview. This combination helps us identify how a child thinks and learns, and whether their reading struggles are consistent with a dyslexia profile.
Every evaluation includes a written report, a follow-up consultation, and actionable recommendations that support both school teams and families.
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We provide comprehensive psycho-educational evaluations to help determine eligibility for special education services under IDEA. These assessments are tailored to each student and aligned with both federal and state guidelines.
Our evaluations explore key areas such as cognitive functioning, academic achievement, processing strengths and weaknesses, and social-emotional or behavioral needs.
Every evaluation includes a written report, a follow-up consultation, and actionable recommendations that support both school teams and families.
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Navigating special education can feel overwhelming—we’re here to help. Whether you’re preparing for your first IEP meeting or reviewing a 504 Plan that doesn’t seem to be working, we offer expert guidance to help you advocate effectively for your child.
With over 15 years of experience supporting school teams and families, we know how to interpret evaluation data, clarify eligibility criteria, and translate school-based language into something that actually makes sense. Our consultation services are collaborative and compassionate, always focused on what’s best for your child.
Consultation services include:
IEP and 504 Plan reviews
Pre-meeting preparation
Parent advocacy support
Goal and accommodation recommendations
Post-meeting debriefs
Coordination with school teams when needed
We’ll walk with you through the process—empowering you to ask the right questions, understand your options, and ensure your child’s needs are being met.
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Dr. Paul Black offers engaging, research-based professional development sessions designed for educators, administrators, school teams, and families. With over 15 years of experience in school psychology, literacy intervention, and special education, Paul bridges the gap between research and practice—equipping teams with the knowledge and tools they need to support all learners.
His presentations go beyond academics, emphasizing the emotional needs of struggling students—especially those with unidentified or unsupported learning differences. Paul’s work highlights how early identification, trauma-informed practices, and inclusive instruction can transform outcomes for students with dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities.
Popular presentation topics include:
Understanding and Identifying Dyslexia
The Science of Reading in Practice
Early Identification of Learning Disabilities within MTSS
Meeting the Emotional Needs of Struggling Learners
Supporting English Learners with Reading Challenges
Writing Measurable, Meaningful IEP Goals
Trauma-Informed Special Education Practices
Equitable and Culturally Responsive Assessment
Workshops are fully customizable and available both in-person and virtually. Whether you’re hosting a district PD day, leading a literacy conference, or seeking small-group training for your staff, these sessions combine clear guidance with practical, actionable strategies.