SAC Student Support Services 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student who recently immigrated discloses that family financial stress is preventing focus on schoolwork. Which intervention best addresses this systemic barrier?
- Refer exclusively to the school counselor for academic planning
- Connect the family to community resources and provide a wraparound support plan (Correct answer)
- Advise the student to separate family issues from school responsibilities
- Notify the principal so the family can receive a warning about attendance
Correct answer: Connect the family to community resources and provide a wraparound support plan
Wraparound support that connects families to community resources addresses systemic barriers that affect academic performance.
Question 2: Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which student is most likely eligible for accommodations?
- A student who prefers visual learning over auditory instruction
- A student with ADHD whose condition substantially limits concentration (Correct answer)
- A student who failed two classes due to frequent tardiness
- A student who reports feeling stressed during standardized testing
Correct answer: A student with ADHD whose condition substantially limits concentration
Section 504 protects students with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, such as concentration.
Question 3: A SAC notices that a student's IEP goals have not been reviewed in over a year. What is the appropriate action?
- Update the goals independently and inform the teacher
- Alert the special education team to schedule a required annual review (Correct answer)
- File a complaint with the district without informing the school team
- Advise the student's parents to request a new evaluation from a private provider
Correct answer: Alert the special education team to schedule a required annual review
IDEA requires IEP teams to review each student's IEP at least annually, and the SAC should alert the team to fulfill this legal obligation.
Question 4: A student discloses using marijuana weekly to cope with anxiety. The SAC's FIRST priority should be to:
- Conduct a comprehensive substance use assessment to determine level of risk (Correct answer)
- Immediately contact law enforcement per zero-tolerance policy
- Inform the student's teacher so academic accommodations can be arranged
- Schedule weekly check-ins and monitor the situation without intervening
Correct answer: Conduct a comprehensive substance use assessment to determine level of risk
A comprehensive assessment determines the severity of use and appropriate level of care before any intervention plan is developed.
Question 5: Which approach best supports students who are English Language Learners (ELL) experiencing academic difficulties?
- Place ELL students in lower-track classes to reduce academic pressure
- Coordinate with ESL teachers and provide culturally responsive supports (Correct answer)
- Advise parents to speak only English at home to accelerate language acquisition
- Delay intervention until the student has been enrolled for one full school year
Correct answer: Coordinate with ESL teachers and provide culturally responsive supports
Coordinating with ESL specialists and using culturally responsive practices addresses language acquisition needs alongside academic support.
Question 6: A student on a behavior intervention plan (BIP) is still exhibiting target behaviors after six weeks. The SAC should:
- Discontinue the BIP since it is ineffective and start a new plan immediately
- Recommend the student be suspended until behaviors improve
- Convene the team to review fidelity of implementation and data trends (Correct answer)
- Increase disciplinary consequences to create stronger behavioral incentives
Correct answer: Convene the team to review fidelity of implementation and data trends
When a BIP is not producing results, the team must first assess whether the plan was implemented with fidelity and review behavioral data before making changes.
Question 7: Which practice is MOST consistent with a trauma-informed approach to student support?
- Requiring students to explain the source of their trauma before receiving help
- Prioritizing physical and emotional safety and avoiding re-traumatization (Correct answer)
- Using behavioral consequences consistently regardless of trauma history
- Separating trauma-related support from academic support services
Correct answer: Prioritizing physical and emotional safety and avoiding re-traumatization
Trauma-informed practice centers safety, trustworthiness, and avoiding re-traumatization as foundational principles for supporting affected students.
SAC Student Support Services 2
A student who recently immigrated discloses that family financial stress is preventing focus on schoolwork.
Which intervention best addresses this systemic barrier?