According to best practices, what is critical for school psychologists when conducting assessments?

Combining valid formal and informal assessments is critical for school psychologists when conducting assessments because this approach provides a comprehensive understanding of the student’s abilities, needs, and challenges. Formal assessments, which are standardized and statistically sound, offer reliable and objective measures of skills, knowledge, and behaviors across different situations. They establish a clear benchmark for comparison. On the other hand, informal assessments, such as observations, interviews, and performance-based tasks, provide contextual insights and richer qualitative data that can highlight individual student circumstances, learning styles, and environmental factors affecting performance.

Using both types of assessments ensures a well-rounded evaluation that considers various aspects of a student's educational experience. This method aligns with best practices that emphasize the importance of multiple data sources to inform intervention strategies and support individualized learning plans. In addition, the integration of both formal and informal assessments helps school psychologists to create a more accurate and nuanced understanding of the student’s performance, which is essential for making informed recommendations and developing effective interventions.