In this episode, Heather and school psychologist Chris Zielinski dig into what it really means to build a complete picture of a student’s strengths and needs. Chris explains why relying on a single assessment—or even a single perspective—can lead to decisions that miss the mark. Instead, he makes the case for using multiple data sources and a team-based approach to create more accurate, fair, and useful profiles of students.

They talk through common traps like plug-and-chug evaluation practices, the risks of over-testing, and what it looks like when professionals truly collaborate across domains to answer real questions about students, not just fill out forms. Chris shares practical ways to keep evaluations efficient, student-centered, and culturally responsive—so teams can focus on what matters most: making smart, informed decisions that actually help kids.

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