TEXAS SCHOOL SAFETY OFFICER
CERTIFICATION EXAM – PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the primary responsibility of a
School Safety Officer?
A) Teaching classroom subjects
B) Maintaining a safe and secure environment
C) Developing curriculum
D) Counseling students
Rationale: The core duty of a School Safety Officer is to ensure
the safety and security of students, staff, and school property.
2. When responding to a suspected drug incident on campus,
a School Safety Officer should first:
A) Conduct a public search of all students
B) Notify school administration and follow school policy
C) Confiscate all student belongings
D) Call law enforcement immediately
Rationale: School Safety Officers must follow school policies
and chain of command before taking enforcement actions.
, 3. Which act specifically protects students’ privacy regarding
educational records?
A) HIPAA
B) FERPA
C) ADA
D) IDEA
Rationale: FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
governs access to and privacy of student educational records.
4. A student shows signs of physical abuse. The School Safety
Officer should:
A) Report the suspicion to Child Protective Services
immediately
B) Interrogate the student about the abuse
C) Contact the parent before reporting
D) Take no action unless injuries are visible
Rationale: Texas law requires mandatory reporting of
suspected child abuse to CPS.
5. During an active shooter situation, the first priority is to:
A) Attempt to negotiate with the shooter
B) Evacuate or shelter students and staff safely
C) Confront the shooter
D) Record video evidence
Rationale: The immediate priority in an active shooter
scenario is life safety through evacuation or lockdown.
, 6. What is the appropriate way to handle a student bringing a
weapon to school?
A) Confiscate it and send the student to class
B) Secure the weapon and notify administration and law
enforcement
C) Ignore if it seems harmless
D) Return the weapon to the student’s parent
Rationale: Weapons on campus must be secured and
authorities notified to prevent harm.
7. School Safety Officers must regularly inspect the campus
for:
A) Academic performance
B) Safety hazards and security breaches
C) Teacher lesson plans
D) Student grades
Rationale: Regular inspections help prevent accidents and
security incidents.
8. The primary purpose of a school safety plan is to:
A) Reduce paperwork
B) Ensure preparedness for emergencies
C) Evaluate teachers
D) Limit student activities
Rationale: Safety plans provide procedures to follow during
emergencies to protect students and staff.
, 9. Which of the following is considered an effective
communication tool during an emergency?
A) Social media posts
B) Texting individual students
C) Intercom system and emergency alert system
D) Whispering to staff
Rationale: Schools rely on official alert systems to reach all
staff and students quickly and accurately.
10. What is the role of a School Safety Officer in bullying
prevention?
A) Discipline students without documentation
B) Ignore verbal harassment
C) Investigate, document, and enforce anti-bullying
policies
D) Only intervene if physical violence occurs
Rationale: School Safety Officers enforce anti-bullying policies
and help maintain a safe environment.
11. Which of the following is a common indicator of
substance abuse among students?
A) Increased attendance
B) Sudden changes in behavior or academic performance
C) Improved grades
D) Increased participation in extracurricular activities
CERTIFICATION EXAM – PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the primary responsibility of a
School Safety Officer?
A) Teaching classroom subjects
B) Maintaining a safe and secure environment
C) Developing curriculum
D) Counseling students
Rationale: The core duty of a School Safety Officer is to ensure
the safety and security of students, staff, and school property.
2. When responding to a suspected drug incident on campus,
a School Safety Officer should first:
A) Conduct a public search of all students
B) Notify school administration and follow school policy
C) Confiscate all student belongings
D) Call law enforcement immediately
Rationale: School Safety Officers must follow school policies
and chain of command before taking enforcement actions.
, 3. Which act specifically protects students’ privacy regarding
educational records?
A) HIPAA
B) FERPA
C) ADA
D) IDEA
Rationale: FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
governs access to and privacy of student educational records.
4. A student shows signs of physical abuse. The School Safety
Officer should:
A) Report the suspicion to Child Protective Services
immediately
B) Interrogate the student about the abuse
C) Contact the parent before reporting
D) Take no action unless injuries are visible
Rationale: Texas law requires mandatory reporting of
suspected child abuse to CPS.
5. During an active shooter situation, the first priority is to:
A) Attempt to negotiate with the shooter
B) Evacuate or shelter students and staff safely
C) Confront the shooter
D) Record video evidence
Rationale: The immediate priority in an active shooter
scenario is life safety through evacuation or lockdown.
, 6. What is the appropriate way to handle a student bringing a
weapon to school?
A) Confiscate it and send the student to class
B) Secure the weapon and notify administration and law
enforcement
C) Ignore if it seems harmless
D) Return the weapon to the student’s parent
Rationale: Weapons on campus must be secured and
authorities notified to prevent harm.
7. School Safety Officers must regularly inspect the campus
for:
A) Academic performance
B) Safety hazards and security breaches
C) Teacher lesson plans
D) Student grades
Rationale: Regular inspections help prevent accidents and
security incidents.
8. The primary purpose of a school safety plan is to:
A) Reduce paperwork
B) Ensure preparedness for emergencies
C) Evaluate teachers
D) Limit student activities
Rationale: Safety plans provide procedures to follow during
emergencies to protect students and staff.
, 9. Which of the following is considered an effective
communication tool during an emergency?
A) Social media posts
B) Texting individual students
C) Intercom system and emergency alert system
D) Whispering to staff
Rationale: Schools rely on official alert systems to reach all
staff and students quickly and accurately.
10. What is the role of a School Safety Officer in bullying
prevention?
A) Discipline students without documentation
B) Ignore verbal harassment
C) Investigate, document, and enforce anti-bullying
policies
D) Only intervene if physical violence occurs
Rationale: School Safety Officers enforce anti-bullying policies
and help maintain a safe environment.
11. Which of the following is a common indicator of
substance abuse among students?
A) Increased attendance
B) Sudden changes in behavior or academic performance
C) Improved grades
D) Increased participation in extracurricular activities
