The school psychologist is working one-on-one with a student using a standardized assessment tool. What technique for collecting assessment data is she using?

The school psychologist's use of a standardized assessment tool indicates that she is employing a formal test to collect assessment data. Formal tests are structured assessments that are consistent in administration and scoring, designed to measure specific skills or knowledge in a standardized manner. This method provides objective data that can be analyzed quantitatively and compared across different individuals or groups.

In the context of standardized assessments, the importance of reliability and validity is paramount, as these tests are developed to ensure that they accurately measure what they are intended to assess. The results can inform decisions regarding interventions, educational placement, and progress monitoring for students with special needs.

In contrast, other techniques such as interviews, record reviews, or systematic observations serve different purposes in the assessment process. Interviews gather qualitative data through direct conversation, record reviews examine existing documentation, and systematic observations involve watching and recording specific behaviors in natural settings. While these techniques contribute valuable insight, they do not provide the standardized and quantifiable data that formal tests deliver.