ETS Domain: Foundations

Praxis 5331 School-Based SLP Questions

School-based practice items on the Praxis 5331 test whether you can apply IDEA correctly, distinguish 'medical need' from 'educational impact,' and choose an appropriate service delivery model. Expect eligibility scenarios, service-minute decisions, and workload-vs-caseload advocacy items.

Why this topic matters

The majority of new SLPs enter school settings — ETS knows this and tests it heavily.
Eligibility mistakes (medical vs educational) are a legal risk and a common test target.
Service delivery items test whether you can move beyond pull-out into inclusion and collaboration.

High-yield concepts

IDEA eligibility requires a disability AND adverse educational impact AND need for specially designed instruction.
A child with an articulation difference that does not affect academic access may not be eligible even if the sounds are 'off.'
Service delivery models: pull-out, push-in, consultation, collaboration, classroom-based — the IEP team picks based on least restrictive environment.
Caseload = number of students; workload = all responsibilities (evaluation, meetings, documentation, direct service).
ASHA advocates workload analysis to prevent burnout and improve outcomes.

Sample practice questions

Try answering before revealing the rationale — mark misses to retry later.

Q1.A 7-year-old distorts /r/ and /s/. He earns Bs and Cs, participates in class, and has age-appropriate literacy. His parents want speech therapy. The IEP team should:

A.Automatically qualify him because he has speech errors
B.Determine that without adverse educational impact he does not meet IDEA eligibility for a Speech-Language Impairment
C.Provide 60 minutes per week regardless of impact
D.Deny all services indefinitely

Show answer & rationale

Correct: B. IDEA eligibility requires adverse educational impact. Speech errors alone don't qualify. The team can suggest private services or a 504 plan if warranted, but IDEA services require impact.

Q2.The most inclusive service delivery model for a first-grader with mild language needs is:

A.Daily pull-out to the speech room
B.Push-in / classroom-based collaboration with the teacher
C.Home-based therapy after school
D.Weekly individual sessions during recess

Show answer & rationale

Correct: B. Push-in / classroom-based services keep the student in the general-education setting (LRE) and embed language goals into the curriculum, which typically improves generalization.

Q3.'Workload' differs from 'caseload' because it includes:

A.Only students with active IEPs
B.All professional responsibilities including evaluations, meetings, and documentation
C.Only students in the SLP's grade level
D.Only students receiving direct therapy

Show answer & rationale

Correct: B. Workload captures the full scope of an SLP's job. ASHA supports the workload approach because caseload numbers alone underestimate what schools require of SLPs.

Common wrong-answer traps

Qualifying students based on articulation error alone without educational impact.
Defaulting to pull-out when push-in is more appropriate for LRE.
Treating caseload and workload as synonyms.

Study moves this week

Memorize the IDEA eligibility triad: disability + adverse educational impact + need for SDI.
List all five service delivery options and one scenario best served by each.
Draft one-sentence differences between caseload and workload for advocacy conversations.

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FAQ

Can a school SLP refuse to provide services if the family requests them?

The IEP team — not the SLP alone — decides eligibility. If a child does not meet IDEA criteria, the team can decline while offering alternatives (504, RTI, private referral).

Is pull-out therapy always required?

No. Pull-out is one option; the IEP team must select the least restrictive environment appropriate for the student's needs.

How often are IEP goals reviewed?

IEPs are reviewed at least annually and re-evaluations occur at least every 3 years. Progress on goals is reported per the schedule stated in the IEP.

Praxis 5331 School-Based SLP Questions

Why this topic matters

High-yield concepts

Sample practice questions

Common wrong-answer traps

Study moves this week

Want 400+ scenario questions with rationales?

FAQ

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