In a school setting, which professional is typically responsible for identifying at-risk students and coordinating supports and services?

In a school setting, which professional is typically responsible for identifying at-risk students and coordinating supports and services?

• A. Teacher
• B. Principal
• C. School nurse
• D. School counselor

Answer: (D)

The essential function here is coordinating supports for students who may be at risk by identifying needs and linking them with appropriate services. A school counselor is trained to review data such as attendance, grades, behavior referrals, and teacher observations to spot students who could benefit from extra support. When concerns arise, they connect families with counseling, tutoring, mentoring, or community mental health resources, and they develop and monitor intervention plans within a framework like MTSS. The counselor works with teachers, administrators, and outside providers to ensure services are implemented, tracked, and adjusted as needed, providing ongoing case management and follow-up. This role is distinct from a teacher, who primarily delivers instruction; a principal, who leads school operations and policy; and a school nurse, who focuses on health issues.

The essential function here is coordinating supports for students who may be at risk by identifying needs and linking them with appropriate services. A school counselor is trained to review data such as attendance, grades, behavior referrals, and teacher observations to spot students who could benefit from extra support. When concerns arise, they connect families with counseling, tutoring, mentoring, or community mental health resources, and they develop and monitor intervention plans within a framework like MTSS. The counselor works with teachers, administrators, and outside providers to ensure services are implemented, tracked, and adjusted as needed, providing ongoing case management and follow-up. This role is distinct from a teacher, who primarily delivers instruction; a principal, who leads school operations and policy; and a school nurse, who focuses on health issues.