SPED Test Questions with Verified
Solutions
An honor roll student recently diagnosed with epilepsy must be allowed additional time
to complete work due to the student's mini-seizures. If the teacher allows the student to
make up the time missed away from school work, this accommodation most likely falls
under which law? - ANSWER-504
Answer Explanation : This student apparently only needs an accommodation for time
missed during school. Since the student is on the honor roll, it appears that the epilepsy
does not affect the student's academic achievement level. The student should be placed
under a 504 accommodation so time missed from seizure activity may be made up. The
other laws mentioned are specifically related to special education services and this
student does not demonstrate the need for those services.
Which of the following was included in the reauthorization of IDEA in 1997? - ANSWER-
More requirements on discipline for students with disabilities
Answer Explanation : One of the specific changes under the reauthorization of 1997
was the way in which schools were to handle the behavior infractions by students with
disabilities. For example, included in the law were additional guidelines on alternative
placements and administering functional behavior plans.
According to IDEA, which of the following is the team required to determine when
considering IEP goals? - ANSWER-How the parents will be informed
Answer Explanation : There are three items that federal law clarifies when considering
IEP goals: 1) how the goals are to be measured 2) how the parents are to be informed
3) when to gauge progress throughout the year.
What are the expectations for students with disabilities under the No Child Left Behind
(NCLB) Act of 2001? - ANSWER-All students will be proficient in reading, writing and
math.
Answer Explanation : The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act addresses the issue of
accountability in the schools. The expectations under NCLB cover ALL children
unrelated to any disability. The NCLB Act states ALL children will be proficient and at
grade level in reading, writing and mathematics.
Which of the following is an example of "people first" language? - ANSWER-Children
with autism
,Answer Explanation : "People first" language has emerged as the most appropriate
manner in which to label or refer to both a child and an adult with a disability. "People
first" language places the gender, name of the person or the group first and then the
label or name of the disability. Some examples are: the boy with cerebral palsy, the
child with a hearing impairment, and the children with mental retardation.
Which of the following is an example of an appropriate annual goal on an IEP? -
ANSWER-By May, the student will increase visual recognition of vocabulary words by
adding 10 additional words from the present level with 80% accuracy as assessed by
The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test.
Answer Explanation : Choice D is an appropriate goal because it contains all of the
required components. The goal is measurable because it can be assessed by the
teacher. It also includes the skill to be targeted, the projected achievement and
specifically how it will be assessed.
When developing an IEP for a student with special needs, what are the first three
factors to consider? - ANSWER-The goals, the present levels of performance, and
related services.
Answer Explanation : There are about ten statutory additions to consider in the
development of the IEP. The main three are listed in answer B. Others include: behavior
needs, second language needs, the need for Braille instruction, communication needs
and assistive technology needs.
According to IDEA, the IEP team must write goals for a student that address -
ANSWER-only the areas in which the student demonstrates a delay.
Answer Explanation : Under IDEA, an IEP team only needs to address the areas of
need for the child when developing goals. Although the team will create a present level
of performance statement, the areas identified as strengths or those on target with other
children of the same age will not need a corresponding goal.
According to IDEA, which of the following are examples of "related services"? -
ANSWER-A speech therapist and transportation
Answer Explanation : Under IDEA, students are entitled to services that meet their
educational needs based on their types of disability. Speech therapy and transportation
are two types of services considered appropriate for students with disabilities under the
related services section of the IEP. Other related services may include: nursing care,
physical therapy, occupational therapy, interpreting services and a vision specialist.
A middle school student has just been suspended. What is the IEP team required to do?
- ANSWER-Conduct a functional behavior assessment and develop a behavior
intervention plan
, Answer Explanation : IDEA requires a FBA (functional behavior assessment) and a BIP
(behavior intervention plan) for any student who has been suspended. If the student
already has a BIP, the team should re-evaluate using an FBA model and then review
the current BIP for any appropriate changes.
A student with a disability was placed in a self-contained program and the parents later
contested the placement. Which component of IDEA should the school district impose
until the issue is resolved? - ANSWER-Stay-Put provision
Answer Explanation : The Stay-Put provision of the law is imposed when there is some
discrepancy between the parents and the school district about the student's program.
The parents have the right to pursue mediation or due process proceedings to further
debate the situation. Until the issues are resolved, the student shall "stay-put" (or
remain) in the current program.
When working with a special needs child from a divorced family, what must the educator
determine? - ANSWER-The custody arrangements
Answer Explanation : In any case which involves a family separation, an unwed mother,
or a divorce, the educator must determine the legal status of both parents through the
examination of a court document. Parents should provide a copy of the legal information
agreed upon by both parties showing how each is to be involved in the child's
education. The special education teacher will then be better prepared to handle various
communications and meetings with the family in an appropriate and legal manner.
Knowing the status of the family situation and how to manage it is necessary to meet
the requirements of the law.
Which of the following represents a recent finding in studies on brain function and how
students learn? - ANSWER-"Movement is the only experience that unites all brain levels
and integrates both hemispheres, improving memory."
Answer Explanation : In 2000, a study by Barron provided strong evidence of the
importance of movement to the learning process. The chemicals released during
physical activity keep students alert, enhance attention and improve memory.
Which of the following service delivery models is described below? "An environment
that addresses students' needs through a highly individualized, closely supervised
program utilizing specialized instruction ." - ANSWER-Self-contained program
Answer Explanation : The majority of the time, a self-contained program is located
within a regular school. Students with moderate to severe disabilities may spend part of
the day or the full day in this setting. Many times the students are placed here because
they cannot be educated appropriately in the regular classes. They are often placed in a
self-contained class with the same categorical grouping.
Solutions
An honor roll student recently diagnosed with epilepsy must be allowed additional time
to complete work due to the student's mini-seizures. If the teacher allows the student to
make up the time missed away from school work, this accommodation most likely falls
under which law? - ANSWER-504
Answer Explanation : This student apparently only needs an accommodation for time
missed during school. Since the student is on the honor roll, it appears that the epilepsy
does not affect the student's academic achievement level. The student should be placed
under a 504 accommodation so time missed from seizure activity may be made up. The
other laws mentioned are specifically related to special education services and this
student does not demonstrate the need for those services.
Which of the following was included in the reauthorization of IDEA in 1997? - ANSWER-
More requirements on discipline for students with disabilities
Answer Explanation : One of the specific changes under the reauthorization of 1997
was the way in which schools were to handle the behavior infractions by students with
disabilities. For example, included in the law were additional guidelines on alternative
placements and administering functional behavior plans.
According to IDEA, which of the following is the team required to determine when
considering IEP goals? - ANSWER-How the parents will be informed
Answer Explanation : There are three items that federal law clarifies when considering
IEP goals: 1) how the goals are to be measured 2) how the parents are to be informed
3) when to gauge progress throughout the year.
What are the expectations for students with disabilities under the No Child Left Behind
(NCLB) Act of 2001? - ANSWER-All students will be proficient in reading, writing and
math.
Answer Explanation : The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act addresses the issue of
accountability in the schools. The expectations under NCLB cover ALL children
unrelated to any disability. The NCLB Act states ALL children will be proficient and at
grade level in reading, writing and mathematics.
Which of the following is an example of "people first" language? - ANSWER-Children
with autism
,Answer Explanation : "People first" language has emerged as the most appropriate
manner in which to label or refer to both a child and an adult with a disability. "People
first" language places the gender, name of the person or the group first and then the
label or name of the disability. Some examples are: the boy with cerebral palsy, the
child with a hearing impairment, and the children with mental retardation.
Which of the following is an example of an appropriate annual goal on an IEP? -
ANSWER-By May, the student will increase visual recognition of vocabulary words by
adding 10 additional words from the present level with 80% accuracy as assessed by
The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test.
Answer Explanation : Choice D is an appropriate goal because it contains all of the
required components. The goal is measurable because it can be assessed by the
teacher. It also includes the skill to be targeted, the projected achievement and
specifically how it will be assessed.
When developing an IEP for a student with special needs, what are the first three
factors to consider? - ANSWER-The goals, the present levels of performance, and
related services.
Answer Explanation : There are about ten statutory additions to consider in the
development of the IEP. The main three are listed in answer B. Others include: behavior
needs, second language needs, the need for Braille instruction, communication needs
and assistive technology needs.
According to IDEA, the IEP team must write goals for a student that address -
ANSWER-only the areas in which the student demonstrates a delay.
Answer Explanation : Under IDEA, an IEP team only needs to address the areas of
need for the child when developing goals. Although the team will create a present level
of performance statement, the areas identified as strengths or those on target with other
children of the same age will not need a corresponding goal.
According to IDEA, which of the following are examples of "related services"? -
ANSWER-A speech therapist and transportation
Answer Explanation : Under IDEA, students are entitled to services that meet their
educational needs based on their types of disability. Speech therapy and transportation
are two types of services considered appropriate for students with disabilities under the
related services section of the IEP. Other related services may include: nursing care,
physical therapy, occupational therapy, interpreting services and a vision specialist.
A middle school student has just been suspended. What is the IEP team required to do?
- ANSWER-Conduct a functional behavior assessment and develop a behavior
intervention plan
, Answer Explanation : IDEA requires a FBA (functional behavior assessment) and a BIP
(behavior intervention plan) for any student who has been suspended. If the student
already has a BIP, the team should re-evaluate using an FBA model and then review
the current BIP for any appropriate changes.
A student with a disability was placed in a self-contained program and the parents later
contested the placement. Which component of IDEA should the school district impose
until the issue is resolved? - ANSWER-Stay-Put provision
Answer Explanation : The Stay-Put provision of the law is imposed when there is some
discrepancy between the parents and the school district about the student's program.
The parents have the right to pursue mediation or due process proceedings to further
debate the situation. Until the issues are resolved, the student shall "stay-put" (or
remain) in the current program.
When working with a special needs child from a divorced family, what must the educator
determine? - ANSWER-The custody arrangements
Answer Explanation : In any case which involves a family separation, an unwed mother,
or a divorce, the educator must determine the legal status of both parents through the
examination of a court document. Parents should provide a copy of the legal information
agreed upon by both parties showing how each is to be involved in the child's
education. The special education teacher will then be better prepared to handle various
communications and meetings with the family in an appropriate and legal manner.
Knowing the status of the family situation and how to manage it is necessary to meet
the requirements of the law.
Which of the following represents a recent finding in studies on brain function and how
students learn? - ANSWER-"Movement is the only experience that unites all brain levels
and integrates both hemispheres, improving memory."
Answer Explanation : In 2000, a study by Barron provided strong evidence of the
importance of movement to the learning process. The chemicals released during
physical activity keep students alert, enhance attention and improve memory.
Which of the following service delivery models is described below? "An environment
that addresses students' needs through a highly individualized, closely supervised
program utilizing specialized instruction ." - ANSWER-Self-contained program
Answer Explanation : The majority of the time, a self-contained program is located
within a regular school. Students with moderate to severe disabilities may spend part of
the day or the full day in this setting. Many times the students are placed here because
they cannot be educated appropriately in the regular classes. They are often placed in a
self-contained class with the same categorical grouping.
