What assessment should the school psychologist consider for a student showing signs of boredom and declining grades?

When considering a student exhibiting signs of boredom and declining grades, the most insightful assessment would be individual intelligence testing. This type of assessment measures the cognitive abilities of the student and can provide important information about their intellectual strengths and weaknesses. Understanding a student’s cognitive capability can help identify whether the student is not being sufficiently challenged in the classroom, which could lead to boredom and disengagement.

Intelligence testing can also reveal discrepancies between the student’s ability and their academic achievement, highlighting potential areas where they may be underperforming relative to their capabilities. Such information can be crucial for developing tailored interventions or instructional strategies that align with the student's cognitive profile, ultimately addressing the factors contributing to their declining grades.

In contrast, standardized math assessments focus specifically on mathematics skills and may not address the broader issue of cognitive ability that could be causing boredom. Behavioral observations provide useful context about a student's behavior but do not quantify cognitive functioning. Parent interviews can offer valuable insights regarding the child's home life and background, but they may not directly assess the student's cognitive or academic abilities. Therefore, individual intelligence testing is the most appropriate approach to understanding the underlying factors influencing the student's academic performance and interest in learning.