School Counselor Praxis

Question 1

Which of the following is listed as one of the mindsets in the ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards and Competencies assessment?

Answer 1

Promotion and enhancement of student academic, career, and social/emotional outcomes

Question 2

A school counselor should do which of the following to demonstrate positive change as a result of a classroom lesson?

Answer 2

Ask the students to complete pretests and posttests for the lesson

Question 3

Liam is an eighth-grade student who is struggling in his classes. When he meets with his middle school counselor, he tells the counselor that he does not know how to study and often forgets what assignments he needs to complete. Liam and the counselor determine an objective for their sessions together that will help Liam use time-management, organizational, and study skills to improve his grades. Which of the following ASCA Mindsets & Behavior standards contains this objective?

Answer 3

Behavior: Learning Strategies

Question 4

A frequently applied career theory used with students explores students’ knowledge of the self and the world of work by reflecting on their interests, abilities, and values. The theory classifies students according to six personality types: realistic, investigative, artistic, social, enterprising, and conventional. Which of the following is the name of this classification system?

Answer 4

Holland codes

Question 5

Which of the following best describes consultation services?

Answer 5

Information is gathered from experts about student needs, and information, opinions, and recommendations are provided to individuals who can support those needs.

Question 6

Which of the following approaches should a school counselor take when making an outside referral for a student to receive long-term intensive services?

Answer 6

Providing multiple referrals from the district’s vetted list, being careful not to endorse or show a preference for a particular counselor or practice

Question 7

Which of the following impacts does technology have on a school counselor when used with intentionality and purpose in serving all students?

Answer 7

It expands the school counselor’s reach and efficiency.

Question 8

A school counseling team wants to increase the number of students in the sixth grade that are meeting or exceeding standards according to the state math achievement tests. The school counseling team has determined that many parents do not have a strong understanding of the math curriculum and are not able to adequately assist their children with homework. Additionally, many students lack the study skills to appropriately prepare for the state test, which leads them to feel overwhelmed. Which of the following is a direct service the school counseling team can provide to help meet the goal?

Answer 8

Providing a series of classroom lessons on study skills, calming strategies, and ways to reduce test anxiety

Question 9

A school counseling team wants to decrease the number of students with two or more failing grades from 50 students in the first semester of the year to 45 students in the second semester. Which of the following services correctly describes a collaborative indirect approach that would support the department’s goal?

Answer 9

Partnering with families, teachers, and administrators on a school counseling advisory council in order to elicit feedback on the goal

Question 10

Mr. Marris, a school counselor, has different cultural values than a student who is assigned to his caseload. The school counselor explains to his supervisor that he does not think he can work with the student due to a value clash. Mr. Marris is doing which of the following?

Answer 10

Allowing his personal biases to affect his practice of school counseling

Question 11

According to the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors, to ensure optimal professional effectiveness and competency, school counselors are expected to do which of the following?

Answer 11

Monitor their emotional and physical health and practice wellness

Question 12

Which of the following best describes privileged communication?

Answer 12

A legal rule that protects communications within the counseling relationship from compelled disclosure in a court proceeding

Question 13

A principal asks the school counselor to supervise lunch duty every day for ninth- and tenth-grade lunch periods. Which of the following best describes the principal’s request?

Answer 13

An inappropriate school counselor activity

Question 14

A school counselor is asked by the administration to coach the school’s volleyball team. Several students on the team are also on the school counselor’s caseload. If the school counselor chooses to accept the coaching position, which of the following is the most appropriate action to take?

Answer 14

Obtaining informed consent, consultation, and supervision, and documenting the nature of the interactions that extend the boundaries of the counseling relationship

Question 15

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires public schools to do which of the following?

Answer 15

Provide a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment for all students

Question 16

Which of the following is the purpose of assessing a school counseling program?

Answer 16

To identify the strengths and weaknesses of the school counseling program and provide direction for program improvement

Question 17

It becomes evident that a student a school counselor is seeing for individual counseling requires long-term therapy. As a result, the school counselor should do which of the following?

Answer 17

Provide the student referrals to relevant community resources.

Question 18

A school counselor meets with a high school senior for post-secondary planning. The counselor asks the student what she plans to do after high school, and the student says she is looking forward to marrying and becoming a mother. The student states that she will not go to college because she has already met her future husband and they are very excited about starting a family immediately. In this scenario, the school counselor should do which of the following?

Answer 18

Respect the student’s autonomous decision and values, but remind her that she has options if she changes her mind later.

Question 19

Which THREE of the following should a new school counselor include in a professional development plan to be shared with the principal?

Answer 19

-A schedule of formal and structured weekly supervision sessions with an experienced school counselor
-A request for funding to attend the ASCA national conference
-A self-assessment related to the professional standards and competencies

Question 20

A school counselor is aware of a major change to educational law and district policy that will affect families at the school. Which of the following is an ethical action the counselor should be expected to take?

Answer 20

Striving to protect and inform students and families regarding their rights

Question 21

A few high school students hang posters to protest a new school policy. The policy states that the school cannot plan field trips until standardized test scores improve. The principal hears about the posters and decides that the students who hung the posters will receive in-school suspension because “they have no right to protest a school policy.” The school counselor advocates that the students do have the constitutional right to free speech at school. The counselor can argue this based on which of the following court cases?

Answer 21

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)

Question 22

A high school student presents with suicidal ideation at 2:25 P.M. on Friday afternoon. School dismissal is at 2:30 P.M. The school counselor has not had time to conduct a suicide assessment, and the student normally rides the bus home and is alone for several hours after school. Based on the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors, which of the following is the best action for the school counselor to take?

Answer 22

Detaining the student at the school, attempting to contact the student’s parent or guardian, and following district policy if the student’s family cannot be reached

Question 22

An elementary school counselor is running a small group for students with incarcerated parents. Students meet for six weeks to make and send cards and pictures to their parents and discuss their feelings. The group promotes a sense that students are not alone in their problems. Irvin Yalom called this phenomenon

Answer 22

universality

Question 23

Which of the following research-based classroom management techniques may conflict with the school counselor role?

Answer 23

Disciplining students for misbehavior

Question 24

Which TWO of the following should a school counselor do to implement schoolwide trauma-informed practices?

Answer 24

Educate staff on the effects of trauma and how to refer students to the school counselor. Collaborate with community organizations and groups to provide resources that support students.

Question 25

Which of the following techniques is most useful when counseling students of all ages who are experiencing stress?

Answer 25

Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation

Question 26

A school counselor has started a small group with ninth-grade students who are failing one or more classes. As the group progresses, the counselor notes that the students seem to believe they are not smart enough to excel in their coursework. Which of the following interventions is most appropriate for the students in this small group?

Answer 26

Growth mindset curriculum

Question 27

Which stage of Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of moral development is focused on living up to social roles and expectations?

Answer 27

Conventional morality

Question 28

Which of the following theorists proposed that individuals can be classified into three personality groups: compliant, aggressive, and detached?

Answer 28

Karen Horney

Question 29

Which TWO of the following digital tools will allow school counselors a way to identify and connect with students who may be uncomfortable reaching out for help in person or who are struggling to connect with others when they need support?

Answer 29

Social networking Videoconferencing software

Question 30

Which of the following is aligned with the overall goals of a school and is focused on student success?

Answer 30

Mission statement

Question 31

Which of the following provides concise documentation of effective school counseling interventions?

Answer 31

A results report

Question 32

A secondary-school counseling team works with small groups of tenth-grade students who are failing one or more classes at the middle of the first semester. They work diligently for six weeks with these students, employing best practices and interventions. They see positive results, including better grades and attitudes toward school. What accountability measures should the team of counselors take to show that they have made a positive difference with this group of students?

Answer 32

Collecting data to document all results

Question 33

Advocating for a revision to placement practices to increase enrollment of traditionally underserved students in honors courses is an effective way for school counselors to demonstrate how they can have an impact on which of the following?

Answer 33

Systemic change

Question 34

Which of the following actions best aligns with the Define component of the ASCA National Model?

Answer 34

Examining Mindsets and Behaviors standards for students

Question 35

A school counselor found that 75 percent of all students who performed poorly on a math test were from the same classroom. Which of the following is an appropriate course of action for the school counselor to take?

Answer 35

Designing an intentional support plan for the identified students

Question 36

Using the results of an achievement test to help students create four-year plans to be successful in high school is an example of which of the following?

Answer 36

Advisement

Question 37

A school counselor conducted a career assessment that showed that most twelfth-grade students want to attend three specific trade schools. Which of the following is the best next step to take based on the data?

Answer 37

Inviting individuals from the trade schools to come and deliver workshops

Question 38

A school counselor found that none of the English learners (ELs) met their semester benchmark goals. Which of the following is the best next step to take based on this data?

Answer 38

Delivering lessons on study skills for the students

Question 39

Which of the following best describes how school counselors can use technology to manage their programs and activities?

Answer 39

Calculating use of time on a data tracker

Question 40

Effective annual student outcome goal plans measure impact on which of the following?

Answer 40

Attendance, behavior, and achievement

Question 41

Effective pretests and posttests measure which of the following?

Answer 41

Attitudes, knowledge, and skills

Question 42

Assessing student learning as a result of classroom instruction is most closely associated with which of the following types of data?

Answer 42

Mindsets & Behaviors

Question 43

A school counselor wants to use data from a parents’ needs assessment to improve family-school engagement. Which of the following describes the best course of action to take?

Answer 43

Develop a series of workshops based on parents’ interests

Question 44

The ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards and Competencies Assessment is based on a school counselor’s

Answer 44

attainment of mindsets and behaviors required to best serve students

Question 45

When school counselors use the results of their program assessments to improve a process in their schools, they are doing which of the following?

Answer 45

Enacting systemic change

Question 46

Which THREE of the following are reasons why school counselors should analyze their programs?

Answer 46

To examine program strengths To assess areas for growth To create short- and long-term improvement plans

Question 47

A school counselor who develops a comprehensive school counseling program based on the ASCA National Model can be expected to

Answer 47

design program interventions that will be evaluated for effectiveness

Question 48

School counselors can most effectively use the ASCA’s Mindsets and Behaviors for Student Success to

Answer 48

assess student growth and development

Question 49

A school counselor collects data on interventions and analyzes the results to understand how different subgroups are performing. This is an example of which of the following?

Answer 49

Disaggregating the data

Question 50

A school counselor wants to show stakeholders the impact of a comprehensive school counseling program. Which of the following types of data would best demonstrate the program’s impact?

Answer 50

Outcome

Question 51

Which TWO of the following are benefits that a school counselor can expect from membership in the American School Counselor Association (ASCA)?

Answer 51

Professional development Access to liability insurance

Question 52

A school counselor notices that students seem to be more anxious this year than last year and would like to conduct classroom lessons to help students manage their anxiety. The counselor wants to assess the effectiveness of the intervention by asking students to complete a questionnaire about their anxiety symptoms before and after the intervention to see if they decrease. The questionnaire was developed by a group of researchers with expertise in diagnosing anxiety and was tested to make sure it actually measures anxiety symptoms. Based on this information, the counselor can assume that the questionnaire has good

Answer 52

construct validity

Question 53

Which of the following is the most-effective information school counselors can share with stakeholders to demonstrate the impact a comprehensive school counseling program can have on the school community?

Answer 53

The comprehensive school counseling program’s vision and mission statement

Question 54

A school counselor has created a SMART goal to increase retention rates by five percent in the next academic year. The counselor is using which of the following types of data to achieve the goal?

Answer 54

Outcome

Question 55

Annual student outcome goals should be primarily aligned to which of the following?

Answer 55

The school’s closing-the-gap action plans

Question 56

According to the ASCA National Model, what percent of their time should school counselors aspire to dedicate to direct and indirect student services?

Answer 56

80%

Question 57

A school counselor is asked to help develop classroom lessons on bullying. Which of the following resources will be most effective in developing these lessons?

Answer 57

Literature on research-based bullying interventions

Question 58

An assessment on which test takers receive similar scores across administrations of the test is considered to have strong

Answer 58

reliability

Question 59

Which TWO of the following are appropriate activities for school counselors based on the ASCA National Model?

Answer 59

Providing counseling to students who have disciplinary problems Protecting student records and information per state and federal regulations

Question 60

With what frequency does the ASCA recommend that a school counselor complete a use-of-time assessment?

Answer 60

At least twice a year

Question 61

Lev Vygotsky explained that there is a gap between children’s ability to solve problems on their own and their potential knowledge if taught through adult instruction. Which of the following terms best describes this gap?

Answer 61

Zone of proximal development

Question 62

Which of the following techniques is most developmentally appropriate to help elementary school students reduce stress and improve their overall emotional health?

Answer 62

Grounding

Question 63

Children in Jean Piaget’s stage of preoperational thought have difficulty understanding that another person’s thoughts and opinions are different from their own. This type of thinking is referred to as

Answer 63

egocentrism

Question 64

A student’s noncustodial parent arrives at an elementary school to talk with the student. The school counselor should do which of the following?

Answer 64

Allow the noncustodial parent to talk with the student unless there is legal documentation prohibiting contact.

Question 65

Which of the following is an appropriate activity for a school counselor with regard to students’ Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and/or IEP meetings?

Answer 65

Serving as an advocate during Child Study Team and IEP meetings

Question 66

Which of the following is an appropriate role for a school counselor in regard to working with students with Section 504 plans?

Answer 66

Identifying the strengths and challenges of students with disabilities

Question 67

A school counselor gets a request from a student’s family to provide the student with individual counseling because of a traumatic experience. Which of the following is the best action for the school counselor to take?

Answer 67

Referring the family to outside mental-health counseling options

Question 68

Which THREE of the following are roles of the school counselor within the framework of multi-tiered systems of support?

Answer 68

Referring students to school and community services as appropriate Evaluating academic and behavioral progress after interventions Providing all students with a standards-based school counseling curriculum to address universal academic, career, and social/emotional development

Question 69

Which of the following behaviors from the ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards and Competencies assessment is encompassed in professional foundation?

Answer 69

Applying legal and ethical principles of the school counseling profession

Question 70

According to Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, a middle-school student who is learning to use abstract reasoning is likely in which of the following stages?

Answer 70

Formal operational

Question 71

To determine the impact of an antibullying program on students, changes in which of the following would be most useful to evaluate?

Answer 71

Discipline referrals

Question 72

As a part of a school counselor’s year-end evaluation, the counselor is planning to review the ASCA School Counselor Professional Standards & Competencies Assessment. Which of the following areas are assessed in the document?

Answer 72

Ethical and legal standards of practice

Question 73

Assessing one’s school counseling program best allows counselors to do which of the following?

Answer 73

Demonstrate effective planning and programming

Question 74

Which of the following is a purpose of school counseling program evaluation?

Answer 74

To quantitatively demonstrate the impact that the school counseling program has on students

Question 75

Which of the following is a benefit of ASCA membership that most closely aligns with the Responsibilities to Self standard of the ASCA Ethical Standards for School Counselors?

Answer 75

Opportunities to develop and maintain competence in current issues and best practices

Question 76

Which of the following is best supported by the Behaviors component of the ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success?

Answer 76

The learning strategies, self-management skills, and social skills students need to achieve academic success

Question 77

School counselors can best support students as they develop personal identities by

Answer 77

providing students with a wide range of information about of academic, social, and career opportunities

Question 78

According to Lev Vygotsky’s developmental theory, which of the following provides students with structure to help them master a skill within their zone of proximal development?

Answer 78

Scaffolding

Question 79

Which of the following developmental theories describes basic conflicts one must face and resolve as one moves through various life stages?

Answer 79

Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development

Question 80

Which of the following activities would be most appropriate for helping a high school student develop career readiness?

Answer 80

Engaging in a cooperative work experience

Question 81

Which of the following has the greatest potential to create systemic change and a safe school environment?

Answer 81

Engaging in schoolwide collaboration among administration, teachers, staff, and the school counseling program

Question 82

Which of the following best describes the purpose of instruction as part of direct student services within the school counseling curriculum?

Answer 82

To assist students in attaining selected ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success

Question 83

Which of the following is an appropriate responsibility of school counselors when assisting in planning for students with disabilities?

Answer 83

Collaborating with other related student support professionals in the delivery of services

Question 84

Which of the following types of data would best help a school counselor gain understanding about factors that contribute to achievement gaps?

Answer 84

Supplemental

Question 85

Which of the following represents data separated into component parts by specific variables such as ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status?

Answer 85

Disaggregated data

Question 86

By serving on committees involved in making school-based decisions, the school counselor is acting in which of the following roles?

Answer 86

Leader

Question 87

Which of the following pieces of data would be most helpful in identifying an opportunity gap?

Answer 87

Percentage of minority students taking honors-level courses

Question 88

According to the ASCA National Model, which of the following are the three main types of data school counselors use in assessing program effectiveness?

Answer 88

Participation, Mindsets & Behavior, and outcome data

Question 89

Which THREE of the following are components of the ASCA National Model (2019) annual administrative conference template?

Answer 89

Annual student outcome goals Ratio and caseload School and district committees and professional work

Question 90

A school counselor applying Carl Rogers’ approach to individual counseling would most likely employ which of the following techniques?

Answer 90

Unconditional positive regard

Question 91

The miracle question is a technique most used in which model of counseling?

Answer 91

Solution-focused

Question 92

According to Bruce Tuckman’s theory of group development, a small group in the storming stage would likely exhibit which of the following behaviors?

Answer 92

Struggling to determine group goals

Question 93

Which of the following is the most appropriate activity for a school counselor to facilitate to prepare students for the transition from middle school to high school?

Answer 93

A panel discussion between middle and high school students to answer questions

Question 94

In an individual student planning session, a student failing math and science expresses interest in becoming a professional athlete. How might a school counselor best advise this student for postsecondary success?

Answer 94

Assisting the student in making the connection between passing classes and playing sports

Question 95

According to Donald Super’s career theory, a student who is forming a tentative career plan is likely in which of the stages of career development?

Answer 95

Exploration

Question 96

Which of the following strategies best illustrates prevention of crisis situations in trauma-informed care?

Answer 96

Helping students identify triggers and creating coping plans

Question 97

For which of the following situations would peer mediation be the best intervention for a school counselor to recommend?

Answer 97

Conflict resolution between two friends

Question 98

Which of the following interventions should a school counselor use to help as many students as possible reduce anxiety?

Answer 98

Designing and facilitating a classroom lesson on coping skills

Question 99

According to ASCA, how often should school counselors host advisory council meetings?

Answer 99

Two times per year, once in the fall and once in the spring

Question 100

A middle school student struggles to develop positive relationships with peers and reports having few friends. According to Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the student is having trouble with which of the following?

Answer 100

Belongingness

Question 101

A student scores in the 50th percentile on a standardized reading assessment. Which of the following is the most accurate statement about the student’s test results?

Answer 101

The student scored in the average range.

Question 102

A student with an IQ score of 100 on the normal curve scores at the 50th percentile on a standardized math assessment. Which of the following is true about the student’s IQ and math score in relation to the normal curve?

Answer 102

The IQ and math score match.

Question 103

A high school student completed the Holland career assessment and scored high on the social indicator. Which of the following career experiences is the student most likely to benefit from?

Answer 103

Job shadowing an elementary school teacher

Question 104

A fifth-grade student struggles to pay attention in class. While meeting with the student’s parents, the school counselor learns that the student is taking doctor-prescribed medication to help with focus. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step for the school counselor to take?

Answer 104

Making a child find referral to the Section 504 team for evaluation

Question 105

A teacher asks the school counselor to help design an intervention that would be beneficial for the whole class. In the process of consultation, which of the following roles does the school counselor take?

Answer 105

Collaborator

Question 106

While working with a student who identifies as LGBTQ, the school counselor learns that a teacher has used inappropriate and homophobic language, which made the student uncomfortable. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step for the school counselor to take?

Answer 106

Consulting with the building-level supervisor about the teacher’s comments

Question 107

Which of the following is an example of a Tier 2 intervention?

Answer 107

Engaging select students in a daily check-in/check-out system with the school counselor

Question 108

A school counselor learns that a student has recently experienced a house fire and that the student might be temporarily homeless as a result. Which of the following is the next best step for the school counselor to take?

Answer 108

Referring the student’s family to the school social worker for community resources and supports

Question 109

Which TWO of the following describe ways in which school counselors can directly collaborate with stakeholders to create learning environments that support success for all students?

Answer 109

Partnering with others to advocate for student achievement and educational equity and opportunities Identifying and involving appropriate school and community professionals as well as the family in a crisis situation

Question 110

A school counselor wants to gather feedback on the services provided in the middle school counseling program. Which of the following is the most efficient strategy to collect input from multiple sources?

Answer 110

Administering an electronic survey to students, teachers, and parents

Question 111

A school counselor is trying to transform the school counseling program from a stand-alone service to an integral part of the total educational process. Which of the following should the counselor do first?

Answer 111

Align the school counseling program goals to the school improvement goals.

Question 112

Which of the following is the most appropriate first step for a school counselor to take in designing a new school counseling program?

Answer 112

Establishing vision and mission statements for the counseling program

Question 113

A school counselor wants to ensure the counseling program uses evidence-based practices to respond to an increase in student absences. Which of the following is an example of an evidenced-based practice the counselor should utilize?

Answer 113

Implementing a previously validated attendance program

Question 114

Ms. Khan, a school counselor, is preparing to conduct individual advisement sessions with middle school students. As she reviews the students’ cumulative records, she notices that many of them have results from a formal assessment that she is not familiar with, so she researches the assessment to determine whether it consistently produces the same responses over time. Ms. Khan is looking for the assessment’s

Answer 114

reliability

Question 115

A school counselor sponsored a virtual college fair for high school students. Students logged in using their school-issued student identification. After the event, the counselor was able to download a report that included the students’ names, grade levels, and how long they spent participating in the event. This report is an example of

Answer 115

participation data

Question 116

During an individual advisement meeting with a twelfth-grade student, the school counselor explains a standardized testing student score report. The student scored a composite of 21 on the standardized test, with a national percentile rank score of 56%. The national percentile rank score means that

Answer 116

56% of the students who took the test scored a 21 or below

Question 117

Teachers have expressed concern over giving up instructional time for school counseling lessons. The principal has asked the school counselor to prepare a presentation to share with faculty about the importance of delivering the school counseling curriculum. Which type of data will be most valuable in showing the positive impact of the school counseling curriculum?

Answer 117

Student outcome data

Question 118

After a school counselor’s first year working in the field, the counselor wants to know which activities or interventions made the largest impact on student growth and success. Which of the following data sources should the school counselor review?

Answer 118

Annual results report

Question 119

Which of the following theorists discusses the importance of self-efficacy and modeling in social cognitive development?

Answer 119

Albert Bandura