Which of the following is an example of related service personnel?

• A. School Counselor
• B. Classroom Teacher
• C. Principal
• D. School Secretary

Answer: (A)

Related services are supports that help a student with a disability access and benefit from special education. A school counselor provides counseling services that address social-emotional development, behavior support, mental health, and transition planning, which are the kinds of services designed to support a student’s educational program. That makes the counselor a related service personnel, because their role directly enhances the student’s ability to participate in and progress within the IEP.

The other roles are essential school staff but do not fall under related services in the same way: a classroom teacher delivers core instruction, a principal handles school leadership and administration, and a school secretary handles administrative tasks. While all are important, they are not the specific supportive services defined as related services.