Which initial data collection source involves gathering existing information about a student?

Gathering existing information about a student is fundamental for understanding their unique needs and circumstances. Background information encompasses a variety of data that may include academic records, previous assessments, attendance history, medical records, and family demographics. This existing information provides valuable insights into the student’s history and context, which can inform interventions and supports.

While observations focus on direct assessment of the student’s behavior in naturalistic settings, and interviews involve direct communication with the student, parents, or educators to gather personal insights, these methods are more about immediate, subjective data rather than leveraging pre-existing records. Standardized tests offer structured assessments of a student's capabilities but also do not pertain to the collection of existing information as significantly as background information does. Thus, background information is crucial as it forms the foundation for all subsequent assessments and interventions for the student.