What term completes the first blank in the guidance about learning about students: 'Use formal & informal _____ with students & families'?

• A. Interviews
• B. Surveys
• C. Observations
• D. Notes

Answer: (A)

Dialogic information-gathering with students and families is essential. Using formal and informal interviews provides a two-way conversation that captures both structured questions and open-ended, personal insights. This approach helps you learn about a student’s interests, language, strengths, needs, and family context, and it supports building trust while guiding responsive instruction and supports. Other methods serve different purposes: surveys can collect broad data but often lack depth, observations focus on what happens in the moment rather than personal perspectives, and notes are records rather than interactive exchanges with families. So the best fit for the blank is interviews.