NBPTS EXCEPTIONAL NEEDS SPECIALIST
EXAM SCRIPT 2026 RESPONSE GUIDE
◉ Individualized family services plan(IFSP). Answer: Part of IDEA, a
written document prescribing family focused early intervention
services for the family of and young child who is at risk for or has a
disability
◉ Individualized transition plan(ITP). Answer: Part of the
reauthorization of IDEA(97). A written legal document with goals
and objectives specifically developed to aid in the transition from
school to vocational skills for exceptional children age 16 and above
◉ IDEA. Answer: Individuals w/ Disabilities Education Act
-went into effect on July 1, 2005
-enacted by Congress on November 19, 2004
◉ Public Law 94-142. Answer: Education for All Handicapped
Children Act
-enacted by Congress in 1975
◉ Parental Consent. Answer: School must obtain parental consent
before conducting initial or re-evaluation.
,If parent does not consent, school may pursue a due process hearing
against parent.
◉ Re-evaluations. Answer: *this process changed w/ IDEA 2004
-school not required to re-eval more than 1x/yr
-school must re-eval every 3 yrs unless school and parent agree it's
unnecessary
-school must re-eval if child's educational needs change or if a
parent or teacher requests
◉ Evaluation Procedures. Answer: *must assess child in all areas of
suspected disability
-school must use variety of assessment tools to gather functional,
developmental, and academic info
-must not be racially/culturally biased
◉ -Parents, state department of education, state agency, and school
district staff may request an initial eval.
-Initial eval and eligibility must be completed w/in 60 calendar days
of receiving parental consent.. Answer: Initial Evaluation
◉ Five Core Propositions. Answer: 1. Teachers are committed to
students and their learning
,2. Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those
subjects to students
3. Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student
learning
4. Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from
experience
5. Teachers are members of learning communities
◉ 1. Standard 1. Answer: Knowledge of Students.
◉ Teachers know how students grow and develop. Answer: i.
Significant problem solving and real world applications
ii. Review and rethink instructional strategies to accommodate
range of abilities and developmental levels
iii. Involve students in decision making
iv. Collaborate with students to determine how personal goals can be
measured and set timelines and benchmarks for achievement
v. Design interventions that match each student's circumstances
vi. Connections among physical, social, emotional, communicative
and cognitive developmental stages (multiple intelligences?)
vii. Multiple adaptations within the same lesson to offer varied
representations of information and engage a range of student
abilities
viii. Adapt instruction to suit changing circumstances
, ix. Students differ in the way they learn and thing
x. Comprehend the importance of play to stimulate thinking and
creativity while enhancing socialization.
◉ Teachers are insightful observers of students. Answer: i. Learning
about students by observing them at work and play in a variety of
settings and under a broad range of circumstances.
ii. Alert to anything that contributes to a student's full participation.
iii. Recognize subtle differences in a student's attitude, tone and
enthusiasm
iv. Prepare students for further education entry into the world of
work, independent living and leadership
v. Work with students and families to identify student strengths and
needs
vi. Aware of the effects in students' lives like poverty, crime, divorce,
drug use, unsafe communities, and families in difficult circumstances
◉ Teachers recognize and capitalize on student's diversity,
commonalities, and talents. Answer: i. Capitalize on student
diversity to enrich the pursuit of academic, social and civic goals.
ii. Take advantage of each student's cognitive, behavioral and
physical knowledge
iii. Students of a particular age, without regard to their background
share many of the same interests, have had similar successes, face
EXAM SCRIPT 2026 RESPONSE GUIDE
◉ Individualized family services plan(IFSP). Answer: Part of IDEA, a
written document prescribing family focused early intervention
services for the family of and young child who is at risk for or has a
disability
◉ Individualized transition plan(ITP). Answer: Part of the
reauthorization of IDEA(97). A written legal document with goals
and objectives specifically developed to aid in the transition from
school to vocational skills for exceptional children age 16 and above
◉ IDEA. Answer: Individuals w/ Disabilities Education Act
-went into effect on July 1, 2005
-enacted by Congress on November 19, 2004
◉ Public Law 94-142. Answer: Education for All Handicapped
Children Act
-enacted by Congress in 1975
◉ Parental Consent. Answer: School must obtain parental consent
before conducting initial or re-evaluation.
,If parent does not consent, school may pursue a due process hearing
against parent.
◉ Re-evaluations. Answer: *this process changed w/ IDEA 2004
-school not required to re-eval more than 1x/yr
-school must re-eval every 3 yrs unless school and parent agree it's
unnecessary
-school must re-eval if child's educational needs change or if a
parent or teacher requests
◉ Evaluation Procedures. Answer: *must assess child in all areas of
suspected disability
-school must use variety of assessment tools to gather functional,
developmental, and academic info
-must not be racially/culturally biased
◉ -Parents, state department of education, state agency, and school
district staff may request an initial eval.
-Initial eval and eligibility must be completed w/in 60 calendar days
of receiving parental consent.. Answer: Initial Evaluation
◉ Five Core Propositions. Answer: 1. Teachers are committed to
students and their learning
,2. Teachers know the subjects they teach and how to teach those
subjects to students
3. Teachers are responsible for managing and monitoring student
learning
4. Teachers think systematically about their practice and learn from
experience
5. Teachers are members of learning communities
◉ 1. Standard 1. Answer: Knowledge of Students.
◉ Teachers know how students grow and develop. Answer: i.
Significant problem solving and real world applications
ii. Review and rethink instructional strategies to accommodate
range of abilities and developmental levels
iii. Involve students in decision making
iv. Collaborate with students to determine how personal goals can be
measured and set timelines and benchmarks for achievement
v. Design interventions that match each student's circumstances
vi. Connections among physical, social, emotional, communicative
and cognitive developmental stages (multiple intelligences?)
vii. Multiple adaptations within the same lesson to offer varied
representations of information and engage a range of student
abilities
viii. Adapt instruction to suit changing circumstances
, ix. Students differ in the way they learn and thing
x. Comprehend the importance of play to stimulate thinking and
creativity while enhancing socialization.
◉ Teachers are insightful observers of students. Answer: i. Learning
about students by observing them at work and play in a variety of
settings and under a broad range of circumstances.
ii. Alert to anything that contributes to a student's full participation.
iii. Recognize subtle differences in a student's attitude, tone and
enthusiasm
iv. Prepare students for further education entry into the world of
work, independent living and leadership
v. Work with students and families to identify student strengths and
needs
vi. Aware of the effects in students' lives like poverty, crime, divorce,
drug use, unsafe communities, and families in difficult circumstances
◉ Teachers recognize and capitalize on student's diversity,
commonalities, and talents. Answer: i. Capitalize on student
diversity to enrich the pursuit of academic, social and civic goals.
ii. Take advantage of each student's cognitive, behavioral and
physical knowledge
iii. Students of a particular age, without regard to their background
share many of the same interests, have had similar successes, face
