SSW Ethical & Legal Practices 2

Question 1

A school social worker suspects a student is being abused but lacks physical evidence. Under mandatory reporting laws, what is the appropriate action?

Accepted Answer

Report the suspicion to child protective services immediately

Answer

Mandatory reporting laws require school social workers to report reasonable suspicions of abuse — certainty or physical evidence is not required.

Question 2

Which federal law primarily governs the privacy of student education records in U.S. public schools?

Accepted Answer

FERPA

Answer

FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) protects the privacy of student education records and applies to schools receiving federal funds.

Question 3

A student discloses plans to harm a specific classmate. Under the Tarasoff duty-to-protect principle, the school social worker should:

Accepted Answer

Warn the intended victim and notify appropriate authorities

Answer

The Tarasoff ruling established that mental health professionals have a duty to protect identifiable third parties from credible threats of harm.

Question 4

A parent requests access to their child's school records. Under FERPA, the school must provide access within:

Accepted Answer

45 days

Answer

FERPA requires schools to provide parents access to education records within 45 days of a request.

Question 5

The NASW Code of Ethics principle that directs social workers to act in the best interest of clients even when it conflicts with agency policy is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Primacy of client interests

Answer

The principle of primacy of client interests holds that social workers' primary obligation is to client well-being, even when it conflicts with employing organizations.

(SSW) School Social Worker Practice Test

(SSW) School Social Worker Practice Test

SSW Ethical & Legal Practices 2