PEL 238 STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
2025/2026 GRADED A+
A school social worker spends a long time processing a student's report. What should
the SSW do?
a. Ask an intern for help
b. Create software to have scannable answer sheets
c. Advocate for the testing to have multiple-choice answers or modifications - b. Create
software to have scannable answer sheets
A teacher comes to the school social worker for consultation on an issue with another
teacher. What should the SSW do?
a. Engage (Ensure) in the conversation on the purpose of consultation
b. Explain the benefits of the consultation process resolving conflict
c. Have a meeting between the teachers and act as a mediator
d. Inform the teacher to talk to the principal - a. Engage (Ensure) in the conversation on
the purpose of consultation
Several parents call the school social worker about their child's drinking problems. If the
parents are seeking guidance, what is the most appropriate thing the SSW should do?
a. Provide resources to the family
b. Provide a workshop
c. Interview each child individually to find out more - c. Interview each child individually
to find out more
A teacher wants to assist a student who has an intellectual disability with their transition
to a new school. Which tool can the teacher use to best help facilitate the transition?
a. Behavior Rating Scale
b. School Records
c. Cognitive Assessment
d. A student portfolio - d. A student portfolio
Head start has been demonstrated to show successful progress in children because
a. It helps with social/emotional and other health services
b. Helps low-income children 3 years to transition to a public school
c. Helps prepare children from low-income families for school readiness
d. Support students who are at risk of academic failure - c. Helps prepare children from
low-income families for school readiness
Third or Fifth grade students are assigned a task comparing the educational
experiences with those of their parents' educational experiences, but they are
experiencing difficulty completing this task. What explanation best helps explain their
dilemma?
a. Sensorimotor
b. Preoperational because students cannot yet write about what they have not
experienced (distinguish that difference)
,c. Concrete because students cannot yet think abstractly or hypothetically
d. Formal - c. Concrete because students cannot yet think abstractly or hypothetically
Which of the following statements is true of self-assessment for school social workers?
a. It is only required for licensed professionals during the first three years of practice
b. SSWs are typically required to complete routine self-assessments to maintain their
licensure
c. SSWs should continually assess their personal strengths and needs to find ways to
improve their practice - c. SSWs should continually assess their personal strengths and
needs to find ways to improve their practice
What theoretical perspective acknowledges the interaction between nature and nurture
in understanding developmental stages?
a. Ecological-biological
b. Environmental
c. Biological maturation
d. Psychodynamic - a. Ecological-biological
A refugee student has recently enrolled in a school, and the team is working to assess
the student's needs. What should the team investigate first?
a. Determine the student's English language proficiency and their level of proficiency
b. Assess the level of education the student has received prior to enrolling in the current
school - b. Assess the level of education the student has received prior to enrolling in
the current school
After implementing Tier 1 interventions for student, it is evident that they are not
responding positively to the support provided. What should the school social worker do
next?
a. Comprehensive evaluation
b. Refer the student to specialized external services providers
c. Requesting a meeting with the students' parents to discuss interventions
d. Finding other strategies to help the student - d. Finding other strategies to help the
student
Students often visit the nurse during their morning classes complaining of
stomachaches. The nurse gives them a nutritious snack and then they go back to class.
Why should the school social worker be concerned?
a. Students do not like their teacher
b. They are not eating breakfast before coming to school
c. They are bored
d. They have gastrointestinal issues - b. They are not eating breakfast before coming to
school
If a school social worker is part of an IEP team, they must meet
a. Every 6 months
b. Every Year (Annually)
, c. Every 3 years
d. Ever 10 months - b. Every Year (Annually)
Students with cultural or socioeconomic backgrounds that are different from the
backgrounds of the majority of students at their schools will likely be affected in which of
the following ways:
a. They will have different body of background knowledge than their fellow students
which may adversely affect their academic performance
b. They are more likely than their peers to need special education services
c. They will be less motivated than their peers because of a lack of parental interest in
their academic performance
d. Their overall academic performance will be reduced because their reading skills will
be below grade level - a. They will have different body of background knowledge than
their fellow students which may adversely affect their academic performance
A teacher reports to the school social worker that middle school students are having a
difficult time completing multi-step tasks when instructed by the teacher. When the
social worker meets with the student, which suggestion might they offer the student to
assist them in their classroom?
a. Attending after school detention until their work is caught up
b. Calling home to ask the parents how the student is functioning at home
c. Suggesting to the teacher that they break larger tasks into small ones
d. Assigning to the student a peer mentor - c. Suggesting to the teacher that they break
larger tasks into small ones
Within' the context of a school, which of the following descriptions commonly apply to
systems/organizational theory?
a. A framework that emphasizes federal and state processes
b. An approach that focuses on district goals and missions
c. A perspective that promotes positive relationships and alliance between students and
teachers - c. A perspective that promotes positive relationships and alliance between
students and teachers
A school social worker is notified of the sudden death of a student over the weekend.
What is the school socials initial step.
a. Immediately talk to and mobilize the crisis team for prompt support and assistance in
the morning
b. Open door for students
c. Create an assembly to let students know - a. Immediately talk to and mobilize the
crisis team for prompt support and assistance in the morning
How can a school social worker demonstrate empathy?
a. Offering condolences and providing support when a student's family member passes
away
b. Telling a student that you understand how they feel - b. Telling a student that you
understand how they feel
2025/2026 GRADED A+
A school social worker spends a long time processing a student's report. What should
the SSW do?
a. Ask an intern for help
b. Create software to have scannable answer sheets
c. Advocate for the testing to have multiple-choice answers or modifications - b. Create
software to have scannable answer sheets
A teacher comes to the school social worker for consultation on an issue with another
teacher. What should the SSW do?
a. Engage (Ensure) in the conversation on the purpose of consultation
b. Explain the benefits of the consultation process resolving conflict
c. Have a meeting between the teachers and act as a mediator
d. Inform the teacher to talk to the principal - a. Engage (Ensure) in the conversation on
the purpose of consultation
Several parents call the school social worker about their child's drinking problems. If the
parents are seeking guidance, what is the most appropriate thing the SSW should do?
a. Provide resources to the family
b. Provide a workshop
c. Interview each child individually to find out more - c. Interview each child individually
to find out more
A teacher wants to assist a student who has an intellectual disability with their transition
to a new school. Which tool can the teacher use to best help facilitate the transition?
a. Behavior Rating Scale
b. School Records
c. Cognitive Assessment
d. A student portfolio - d. A student portfolio
Head start has been demonstrated to show successful progress in children because
a. It helps with social/emotional and other health services
b. Helps low-income children 3 years to transition to a public school
c. Helps prepare children from low-income families for school readiness
d. Support students who are at risk of academic failure - c. Helps prepare children from
low-income families for school readiness
Third or Fifth grade students are assigned a task comparing the educational
experiences with those of their parents' educational experiences, but they are
experiencing difficulty completing this task. What explanation best helps explain their
dilemma?
a. Sensorimotor
b. Preoperational because students cannot yet write about what they have not
experienced (distinguish that difference)
,c. Concrete because students cannot yet think abstractly or hypothetically
d. Formal - c. Concrete because students cannot yet think abstractly or hypothetically
Which of the following statements is true of self-assessment for school social workers?
a. It is only required for licensed professionals during the first three years of practice
b. SSWs are typically required to complete routine self-assessments to maintain their
licensure
c. SSWs should continually assess their personal strengths and needs to find ways to
improve their practice - c. SSWs should continually assess their personal strengths and
needs to find ways to improve their practice
What theoretical perspective acknowledges the interaction between nature and nurture
in understanding developmental stages?
a. Ecological-biological
b. Environmental
c. Biological maturation
d. Psychodynamic - a. Ecological-biological
A refugee student has recently enrolled in a school, and the team is working to assess
the student's needs. What should the team investigate first?
a. Determine the student's English language proficiency and their level of proficiency
b. Assess the level of education the student has received prior to enrolling in the current
school - b. Assess the level of education the student has received prior to enrolling in
the current school
After implementing Tier 1 interventions for student, it is evident that they are not
responding positively to the support provided. What should the school social worker do
next?
a. Comprehensive evaluation
b. Refer the student to specialized external services providers
c. Requesting a meeting with the students' parents to discuss interventions
d. Finding other strategies to help the student - d. Finding other strategies to help the
student
Students often visit the nurse during their morning classes complaining of
stomachaches. The nurse gives them a nutritious snack and then they go back to class.
Why should the school social worker be concerned?
a. Students do not like their teacher
b. They are not eating breakfast before coming to school
c. They are bored
d. They have gastrointestinal issues - b. They are not eating breakfast before coming to
school
If a school social worker is part of an IEP team, they must meet
a. Every 6 months
b. Every Year (Annually)
, c. Every 3 years
d. Ever 10 months - b. Every Year (Annually)
Students with cultural or socioeconomic backgrounds that are different from the
backgrounds of the majority of students at their schools will likely be affected in which of
the following ways:
a. They will have different body of background knowledge than their fellow students
which may adversely affect their academic performance
b. They are more likely than their peers to need special education services
c. They will be less motivated than their peers because of a lack of parental interest in
their academic performance
d. Their overall academic performance will be reduced because their reading skills will
be below grade level - a. They will have different body of background knowledge than
their fellow students which may adversely affect their academic performance
A teacher reports to the school social worker that middle school students are having a
difficult time completing multi-step tasks when instructed by the teacher. When the
social worker meets with the student, which suggestion might they offer the student to
assist them in their classroom?
a. Attending after school detention until their work is caught up
b. Calling home to ask the parents how the student is functioning at home
c. Suggesting to the teacher that they break larger tasks into small ones
d. Assigning to the student a peer mentor - c. Suggesting to the teacher that they break
larger tasks into small ones
Within' the context of a school, which of the following descriptions commonly apply to
systems/organizational theory?
a. A framework that emphasizes federal and state processes
b. An approach that focuses on district goals and missions
c. A perspective that promotes positive relationships and alliance between students and
teachers - c. A perspective that promotes positive relationships and alliance between
students and teachers
A school social worker is notified of the sudden death of a student over the weekend.
What is the school socials initial step.
a. Immediately talk to and mobilize the crisis team for prompt support and assistance in
the morning
b. Open door for students
c. Create an assembly to let students know - a. Immediately talk to and mobilize the
crisis team for prompt support and assistance in the morning
How can a school social worker demonstrate empathy?
a. Offering condolences and providing support when a student's family member passes
away
b. Telling a student that you understand how they feel - b. Telling a student that you
understand how they feel
