SAC Communication & Stakeholder Relations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a student support team meeting, a school administrator minimizes a student's substance use concerns, calling it 'a phase.' The SAC should BEST respond by:
- Agreeing to avoid conflict with administration
- Presenting evidence-based information about adolescent substance use risk and the need for follow-up (Correct answer)
- Documenting the disagreement and taking no further action
- Removing the student from the team's agenda
Correct answer: Presenting evidence-based information about adolescent substance use risk and the need for follow-up
The SAC's role includes educating colleagues using evidence-based information to ensure students receive appropriate support.
Question 2: A student's written consent to share information with a community counselor expires. What is the SAC's NEXT step?
- Continue sharing information since prior consent was obtained
- Obtain a renewed consent form before continuing to share information (Correct answer)
- Notify the community counselor to stop all contact with the student
- Seek administrative approval as a substitute for consent
Correct answer: Obtain a renewed consent form before continuing to share information
Consent is time-limited and must be renewed to remain legally and ethically valid for ongoing information sharing.
Question 3: Which active listening technique is MOST important when a student is disclosing sensitive information about home drug use?
- Interjecting with advice as soon as a solution becomes apparent
- Reflecting feelings and summarizing content without judgment (Correct answer)
- Taking extensive written notes during the disclosure
- Asking rapid closed-ended questions to gather facts quickly
Correct answer: Reflecting feelings and summarizing content without judgment
Reflective listening communicates empathy and encourages the student to continue sharing without feeling evaluated.
Question 4: A local media outlet contacts the SAC for a comment about a spike in student drug incidents. The MOST appropriate response is to:
- Provide detailed incident statistics to demonstrate transparency
- Decline to comment on specific cases and direct the reporter to the district communications office (Correct answer)
- Deny any knowledge of the incidents
- Use the opportunity to publicly praise school intervention efforts
Correct answer: Decline to comment on specific cases and direct the reporter to the district communications office
Media inquiries involving student information should be routed through official channels to protect confidentiality and ensure consistent messaging.
Question 5: An SAC wants to build trust with students who are skeptical of school authority. Which strategy is MOST effective?
- Emphasizing the SAC's power to reduce disciplinary consequences
- Demonstrating consistent confidentiality practices and following through on commitments (Correct answer)
- Telling students that no information will ever leave the room regardless of circumstance
- Focusing only on group presentations to avoid individual vulnerability
Correct answer: Demonstrating consistent confidentiality practices and following through on commitments
Trust is built through consistent, predictable behavior—especially honoring confidentiality limits transparently and following through on promises.
Question 6: When writing a referral letter to a community mental health agency, the SAC should ensure the document:
- Includes all session notes to provide maximum context
- Contains only information the student has consented to share and is relevant to the referral (Correct answer)
- Is co-signed by the school principal for authority
- Uses clinical diagnostic language regardless of the student's formal diagnosis
Correct answer: Contains only information the student has consented to share and is relevant to the referral
Referral letters must be limited to consented, relevant information to uphold confidentiality and FERPA requirements.
Question 7: A parent insists that the SAC attend a family therapy session at a private counseling center. The SAC should:
- Attend without any additional considerations since it supports the student
- Clarify role boundaries, obtain proper consent, and consult with a supervisor before participating (Correct answer)
- Refuse all involvement outside of school settings categorically
- Have the school principal attend instead
Correct answer: Clarify role boundaries, obtain proper consent, and consult with a supervisor before participating
Participating in outside therapy requires thoughtful role clarification, consent procedures, and supervisory guidance to avoid role confusion.
SAC Communication & Stakeholder Relations 3
During a student support team meeting, a school administrator minimizes a student's substance use concerns, calling it 'a phase.' The SAC should BEST respond by: