NES Secondary Professional Knowledge Exam | Questions & Answers | Comprehensive Exam Prep
Theory: What is Erikson's theory? Psychosocial Theory of Development -
Individuals experience internal conflicts at various stages of life (crises) which are
resolved through interaction with others
Theory: What does Erikson's theory suggest about Competence: Industry vs. inferiority (ages 5~12)
secondary students? Fidelity: Identity vs. Role Confusion (ages 13~19)
Theory: What can a teacher do to help students based on Help students explore identity, beliefs, careers, and responsibilities. Model career
Erikson's theory? choices. Help students find resources to work out personal problems. Give many
"second chances"
Theory: What is Piaget's theory? Theory of Cognitive Development -
Infants are born with sensory and reflexive skills that they use to engage the
environment and ultimately construct mental representations of it
Theory: What does Piaget's Theory suggest about -Concrete Operational (ages 7~11) time, space, and quantity are understood and
secondary students? can be applied but not as independent concepts
-Formal Operations (age 11+) theoretical, hypothetical, and counterfactual thinking,
abstract logic and reasoning
Theory: What can a teacher do to help students based on Concrete Operational Student: use props, visual aids, manipulatives, well-organized
Piaget's theory? presentation, use familiar examples
Formal Operational Student: continue to use concrete operational teaching,
hypothetical questions, scientific reasoning, teach broad concepts not just facts,
inwards reflection
Theory: What is Vygotsky's Theory? Social Development Theory - children's thought structures develop through
interaction with individuals in their environments, informed by the culture in which
they live
Theory: What does Piaget's Theory suggest about Work within students' ZPD
secondary students?
Theory: What can a teacher do to help students based on -Scaffolding
Vygotsky's theory? -accessibility to tools that support thinking
-build on cultural funds of knowledge
-utilize dialogue and learning groups
Vocabulary: Scaffolding providing sufficient support to promote learning when concepts and skills are being
first introduced to students.
Might include:
-resources
-a compelling task
-templates and guides
-guidance on the development of cognitive and social skills
Vocabulary: ZPD The zone of proximal development (ZPD) is the difference between what a learner
can do without help and what they can do with help
Theory: What is Kohlberg's Theory? Stages of Moral Development -
Moral reasoning, the basis for ethical behavior, has six identifiable developmental
stages, each more adequate at responding to moral dilemmas than its predecessor
Stuvia Study Pack | 2026-2027
, NES Secondary Professional Knowledge Exam | Questions & Answers | Comprehensive Exam Prep
Theory: What does Kohlberg's Theory suggest about Secondary students will fall somewhere in these levels:
secondary students?
-Interpersonal accord and conformity
-Authority and social-order maintaining orientation
-Social contract orientation
Theory: What can a teacher do to help students based on Help students:
Kohlberg's theory? examine their dilemmas, see others' perspectives, help students really listen to
each other, and ensure your class reflects concern for moral issues and values
Development: What 3 areas of development occur in 1) Physical/biological
secondary students? 2) Cognitive
3) Socioemotional (including moral)
Development: How does development contribute to early -adolescents seeking peers with similar values and recognition/attention/status
adolescent's (10~14) behavior?
-risky activities emerge
-if academic problems become more pronounced then frequent failure leads to less
engagement in school activities
Development: How can you help failing students and -Suggest and demonstrate effective study strategies
students falling behind?
-extra academic support for those struggling
-provide a regular time and place for them to seek guidance and advice on
academic or social matters
-provide opportunities for adolescents to make decisions
-hold them accountable for their actions and provide appropriate consequences
Development: How does development contribute to late -associating with "bad" peers
adolescent's (14~18) behavior?
-vast differences in interest of educational tracks
-students in extracurricular activities tend to stay in school longer
-sexual activity and parenting
-neighborhoods/ communities with opportunities / local cultures
Development: How can you help late adolescents' -Communicate caring and respect for all
development?
-Allow choices in subjects, but have high standards
-provide guidance / assistant for low achievers
-help students explore higher education opportunities and career paths
-encourage extracurricular activities
-get them involved in their communities
Vocabulary: synaptic pruning the process of synapse elimination that occurs between early childhood and the
onset of puberty in many mammals
MEANING: improvements in memory and attention
Development: How does the brain develop during Increased:
adolescence? -planning and decision making skills
-faster cognitive processing
-improved memory and attention
-matured motor and speech functions
Stuvia Study Pack | 2026-2027
, NES Secondary Professional Knowledge Exam | Questions & Answers | Comprehensive Exam Prep
Development: How can a teacher support brain 1)analyze and regulate emotions
development in secondary students? 2)support new interest in passions
3)acknowledge positive features of adolescents' new found interests and passions
4)ask them to think about future consequences of their actions
5)steer them away from risky events
6)encourage abstract thinking
7)encourage students to express themselves emotionally and empathize
Development: How can a teacher support secondary 1)Be supportive and optimistic about their abilities and potential for success
students emotionally through their biological development? 2)be patient and help them present themselves well to others
3)provide safe outlets for risk-taking
4)avoid scare tactics but deter them from dangers
5)let them experiment with adult-like roles
Vocabulary: Collectivism the practice or principle of giving a group priority over each individual in it
Development: What outside influences affect students' 1) family structure
development? 2) cultural background
3) family livelihood
4) parenting styles
5) disruptive influences
6) maltreatment (report to CPS)
7) individualism
8) collectivism
9) behavior toward authority figures
10) valued activities
11) Conceptions of time
Development: What are some examples of differentiated 1)using multiple methods to deliver instruction
instruction? 2)providing tiered activities and problems
3)presenting both concrete and abstract examples of concepts
4)offering a range of resource materials
5)planning small-group and team activities
6)developing learning contracts with students
7)planning and developing enrichment and remediation activities
8)using portfolios to assess student growth
Development: How can you encourage self-esteem of your 1) value and accept all pupils for attempts and accomplishments
students? 2) create a safe environment
3) become aware of personal biases
4) model appropriate behaviors of self-criticism, perseverance, and self-reward
5)avoid destructive comparisons and competition, have students compete with their
own prior levels
6)set up support groups / study buddies, teach students how to encourage each
other
7) and many more (see study guide Chapter 1)
Vocabulary: Constructive (as in... learning is constructive) children are active participants in the construction of knowledge and use
experiences to construct understanding of the world
Vocabulary: Classical Conditioning when a neutral stimulus gets associated to something else (Pavlov)
hint: think association
Vocabulary: Operant Conditioning reinforcing or punishing behaviors, such as assigning grades, might want to limit
external rewards to promote intrinsic motivation
hint: think rewards & punishments
Instructional: What are 5 constructivist strategies to 1) Embed learning in complex, realistic, and relevant learning environments
support learning? 2) Provide for social negotiation and shared responsibility as a part of learning
3) Support multiple perspectives and use multiple representations of content
4) Nurture self-awareness and an understanding that knowledge is constructed
5) Encourage ownership in learning
Stuvia Study Pack | 2026-2027
Theory: What is Erikson's theory? Psychosocial Theory of Development -
Individuals experience internal conflicts at various stages of life (crises) which are
resolved through interaction with others
Theory: What does Erikson's theory suggest about Competence: Industry vs. inferiority (ages 5~12)
secondary students? Fidelity: Identity vs. Role Confusion (ages 13~19)
Theory: What can a teacher do to help students based on Help students explore identity, beliefs, careers, and responsibilities. Model career
Erikson's theory? choices. Help students find resources to work out personal problems. Give many
"second chances"
Theory: What is Piaget's theory? Theory of Cognitive Development -
Infants are born with sensory and reflexive skills that they use to engage the
environment and ultimately construct mental representations of it
Theory: What does Piaget's Theory suggest about -Concrete Operational (ages 7~11) time, space, and quantity are understood and
secondary students? can be applied but not as independent concepts
-Formal Operations (age 11+) theoretical, hypothetical, and counterfactual thinking,
abstract logic and reasoning
Theory: What can a teacher do to help students based on Concrete Operational Student: use props, visual aids, manipulatives, well-organized
Piaget's theory? presentation, use familiar examples
Formal Operational Student: continue to use concrete operational teaching,
hypothetical questions, scientific reasoning, teach broad concepts not just facts,
inwards reflection
Theory: What is Vygotsky's Theory? Social Development Theory - children's thought structures develop through
interaction with individuals in their environments, informed by the culture in which
they live
Theory: What does Piaget's Theory suggest about Work within students' ZPD
secondary students?
Theory: What can a teacher do to help students based on -Scaffolding
Vygotsky's theory? -accessibility to tools that support thinking
-build on cultural funds of knowledge
-utilize dialogue and learning groups
Vocabulary: Scaffolding providing sufficient support to promote learning when concepts and skills are being
first introduced to students.
Might include:
-resources
-a compelling task
-templates and guides
-guidance on the development of cognitive and social skills
Vocabulary: ZPD The zone of proximal development (ZPD) is the difference between what a learner
can do without help and what they can do with help
Theory: What is Kohlberg's Theory? Stages of Moral Development -
Moral reasoning, the basis for ethical behavior, has six identifiable developmental
stages, each more adequate at responding to moral dilemmas than its predecessor
Stuvia Study Pack | 2026-2027
, NES Secondary Professional Knowledge Exam | Questions & Answers | Comprehensive Exam Prep
Theory: What does Kohlberg's Theory suggest about Secondary students will fall somewhere in these levels:
secondary students?
-Interpersonal accord and conformity
-Authority and social-order maintaining orientation
-Social contract orientation
Theory: What can a teacher do to help students based on Help students:
Kohlberg's theory? examine their dilemmas, see others' perspectives, help students really listen to
each other, and ensure your class reflects concern for moral issues and values
Development: What 3 areas of development occur in 1) Physical/biological
secondary students? 2) Cognitive
3) Socioemotional (including moral)
Development: How does development contribute to early -adolescents seeking peers with similar values and recognition/attention/status
adolescent's (10~14) behavior?
-risky activities emerge
-if academic problems become more pronounced then frequent failure leads to less
engagement in school activities
Development: How can you help failing students and -Suggest and demonstrate effective study strategies
students falling behind?
-extra academic support for those struggling
-provide a regular time and place for them to seek guidance and advice on
academic or social matters
-provide opportunities for adolescents to make decisions
-hold them accountable for their actions and provide appropriate consequences
Development: How does development contribute to late -associating with "bad" peers
adolescent's (14~18) behavior?
-vast differences in interest of educational tracks
-students in extracurricular activities tend to stay in school longer
-sexual activity and parenting
-neighborhoods/ communities with opportunities / local cultures
Development: How can you help late adolescents' -Communicate caring and respect for all
development?
-Allow choices in subjects, but have high standards
-provide guidance / assistant for low achievers
-help students explore higher education opportunities and career paths
-encourage extracurricular activities
-get them involved in their communities
Vocabulary: synaptic pruning the process of synapse elimination that occurs between early childhood and the
onset of puberty in many mammals
MEANING: improvements in memory and attention
Development: How does the brain develop during Increased:
adolescence? -planning and decision making skills
-faster cognitive processing
-improved memory and attention
-matured motor and speech functions
Stuvia Study Pack | 2026-2027
, NES Secondary Professional Knowledge Exam | Questions & Answers | Comprehensive Exam Prep
Development: How can a teacher support brain 1)analyze and regulate emotions
development in secondary students? 2)support new interest in passions
3)acknowledge positive features of adolescents' new found interests and passions
4)ask them to think about future consequences of their actions
5)steer them away from risky events
6)encourage abstract thinking
7)encourage students to express themselves emotionally and empathize
Development: How can a teacher support secondary 1)Be supportive and optimistic about their abilities and potential for success
students emotionally through their biological development? 2)be patient and help them present themselves well to others
3)provide safe outlets for risk-taking
4)avoid scare tactics but deter them from dangers
5)let them experiment with adult-like roles
Vocabulary: Collectivism the practice or principle of giving a group priority over each individual in it
Development: What outside influences affect students' 1) family structure
development? 2) cultural background
3) family livelihood
4) parenting styles
5) disruptive influences
6) maltreatment (report to CPS)
7) individualism
8) collectivism
9) behavior toward authority figures
10) valued activities
11) Conceptions of time
Development: What are some examples of differentiated 1)using multiple methods to deliver instruction
instruction? 2)providing tiered activities and problems
3)presenting both concrete and abstract examples of concepts
4)offering a range of resource materials
5)planning small-group and team activities
6)developing learning contracts with students
7)planning and developing enrichment and remediation activities
8)using portfolios to assess student growth
Development: How can you encourage self-esteem of your 1) value and accept all pupils for attempts and accomplishments
students? 2) create a safe environment
3) become aware of personal biases
4) model appropriate behaviors of self-criticism, perseverance, and self-reward
5)avoid destructive comparisons and competition, have students compete with their
own prior levels
6)set up support groups / study buddies, teach students how to encourage each
other
7) and many more (see study guide Chapter 1)
Vocabulary: Constructive (as in... learning is constructive) children are active participants in the construction of knowledge and use
experiences to construct understanding of the world
Vocabulary: Classical Conditioning when a neutral stimulus gets associated to something else (Pavlov)
hint: think association
Vocabulary: Operant Conditioning reinforcing or punishing behaviors, such as assigning grades, might want to limit
external rewards to promote intrinsic motivation
hint: think rewards & punishments
Instructional: What are 5 constructivist strategies to 1) Embed learning in complex, realistic, and relevant learning environments
support learning? 2) Provide for social negotiation and shared responsibility as a part of learning
3) Support multiple perspectives and use multiple representations of content
4) Nurture self-awareness and an understanding that knowledge is constructed
5) Encourage ownership in learning
Stuvia Study Pack | 2026-2027
