M.Ed Professional School Counselor 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A 7th grader discloses to the counselor that they have been thinking about suicide but have no plan or means. The counselor should FIRST:
- Call 911 immediately
- Conduct a structured suicide risk assessment (Correct answer)
- Notify the student's parents before doing anything else
- Refer the student to an outside psychiatrist
Correct answer: Conduct a structured suicide risk assessment
A structured risk assessment (evaluating ideation, plan, means, intent, and protective factors) must precede any intervention decision.
Question 2: Which group counseling stage is characterized by conflict among members and testing of the group leader?
- Forming
- Norming
- Storming (Correct answer)
- Adjourning
Correct answer: Storming
The Storming stage (Tuckman's model) involves interpersonal conflict and power struggles as members establish roles within the group.
Question 3: A school counselor receives a subpoena for a student's counseling records. The counselor should FIRST:
- Release the records as required by law
- Consult with the school district's legal counsel (Correct answer)
- Destroy sensitive portions of the records
- Inform the student and refuse the subpoena
Correct answer: Consult with the school district's legal counsel
Consulting legal counsel helps the counselor understand their legal obligations and any applicable privileges before responding to a subpoena.
Question 4: Which theorist developed the concept of 'career maturity,' describing how readiness to make career decisions develops over time?
- John Holland
- Donald Super (Correct answer)
- Albert Bandura
- John Krumboltz
Correct answer: Donald Super
Donald Super's Life-Span, Life-Space Theory introduced career maturity as the readiness to make informed, age-appropriate career decisions.
Question 5: A school counselor wants to increase equitable access to gifted programs for underrepresented students. This goal BEST aligns with which ASCA Mindset & Behavior standard domain?
- Learning Strategies
- Self-Management Skills
- Social Skills
- Belief in Development of Whole Self (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Belief in Development of Whole Self
Equity-focused advocacy aligns with the ASCA Mindset standard that every student can learn and deserves access to a high-quality education.
Question 6: A parent demands that the school counselor stop meeting with their child because they disapprove of the topics discussed. The counselor should:
- Honor the parent's request and cease all sessions
- Ignore the parent's request to protect the student
- Explain the program's purpose and work to find a mutually acceptable solution (Correct answer)
- Transfer the student to a different counselor immediately
Correct answer: Explain the program's purpose and work to find a mutually acceptable solution
Balancing parental rights with student well-being requires transparent communication and collaborative problem-solving with families.
Question 7: Which approach to school counseling emphasizes using data to demonstrate program impact and align counseling with the school's academic mission?
- Person-Centered Counseling Model
- ASCA National Model (Correct answer)
- Adlerian School Counseling
- Developmental Guidance Model
Correct answer: ASCA National Model
The ASCA National Model is the predominant framework that integrates data-driven accountability with comprehensive school counseling programs.
M.Ed Professional School Counselor 5
A 7th grader discloses to the counselor that they have been thinking about suicide but have no plan or means.
The counselor should FIRST: