Instructional Techniques
Which of the following techniques is likely to be most successful in helping learners with intellectual disabilities to retain previously acquired skills?
A. Scheduling frequent peer tutoring sessions
B. Acknowledging appropriate behavior regularly
C. Providing periodic review of lessons
D. Allowing longer independent practice periods
Option C is correct. Once a skill has been mastered, the teacher can best assure its retention by providing additional meaningful learning situations in which the student can recall and use the skill.
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) must include which of the following components?
A. The present levels of academic achievement and functional performance
B. A record of past student performance
C. A description of the student’s intellectual functioning
D. Suggestions for parental involvement
Option A is correct. It is correct because the present levels of academic achievement and functional performance must be included in an IEP as mandated by IDEA.
Mary is a seventh-grade student who has a specific learning disability (SLD). Her mathematics achievement score indicates that she has a stanine of 9. Which of the following mathematics classes is most appropriate for Mary?
A. Remedial mathematics
B. Functional mathematics
C. Standard mathematics
D. Advanced mathematics
Option D is correct. Mary’s achievement score indicates high mathematical ability; 9 is the highest possible stanine score. On the basis of the information presented, the most appropriate placement is the advanced class.
A specific learning disability means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, which may manifest itself in an imperfect ability in all of the following EXCEPT:
a. ability to perform mathematical problems
b. ability to read, speak, and listen
c. ability to think, write, and spell
d. All of the above are correct
D. All of the above are correct
Shania is a tenth-grade student classified with a specific learning disability (SLD). She receives direct reading instruction in decoding skills to facilitate recognition of vocabulary words. Shania’s instruction represents
A. a remedial approach
B. a compensatory approach
C. a metacognitive strategy
D. scripted reading instruction
Option A is correct. Remedial instruction is one-on-one or small-group instruction that focuses on the needs of the individual student.
In full-inclusion settings, the most appropriate role for the special education teacher is to
A. plan instruction with the general education teacher and co-teach all students in the class.
B. serve as an instructional assistant to the general education teacher
C. observe the general education teacher at least once a week in order to discuss teaching strategies that seem to work well
D. manage the behavior of the students receiving special education while the general education teacher presents academic content
Option A is correct. In inclusion settings, an appropriate role for the special education teacher is as a co-teacher with the general education teacher.
Which of the following is an accurate statement about what IDEA requires for any IEP?
A. The IEP must include a multiyear outline of instructional objectives
B. The IEP must include a section on assistive devices, regardless of the nature or degree of the student’s disability
C. The IEP must be in effect before special education services or related services are provided
D. The IEP must not be made available to any school personnel except special education teachers
Option C is correct. According to IDEA, an IEP must be in effect before special education and related services are provided to an eligible student. None of the other choices are required.
Fariq is a fourth-grade student with specific learning disabilities in mathematics calculation and problem solving. Which of the following is a method of curriculum-based assessment in mathematics that is appropriate for a teacher to use for Fariq?
A. Using Response to Invention (RTI) to compare Fariq’s progress to that of his peer groups
B. Using objectives from Fariq’s IEP to evaluate his progress and adapt instruction
C. Using standardized assessments to track Fariq’s progress in the school district’s curriculum
D. Using an IQ test to determine whether Fariq is making progress
Option B is correct. Because by focusing on Fariq’s work in class and on the objectives spelled out in his IEP, the teachers are assessing Fariq in the context of the current curriculum. If Fariq is not making progress in achieving his IEP objectives, his teachers can use curriculum-based assessments as the basis for modifying or adapting instruction.
Trish is a sixth-grade student who is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. She has difficulty maintaining eye contact and makes impulsive comments during lessons. Which of the following behavioral strategies would best help Trish?
A. Assigning Trish a peer buddy to help her keep on task
B. Providing Trish a visual menu of appropriate behaviors
C. Seating Trish next to the window so she can look outside
D. Giving Trish high-interest, low-reading-level assignments
Option B is correct. Using a visual reminder can increase appropriate behavior.
A fourth-grade student with a developmental disability receives a grade-equivalent math score of 1.8 on a standardized assessment. The result indicates which of the following?
A. The student should receive math instruction in a first-grade classroom
B. The student is performing similarly to students at the end of first grade
C. The student’s score is 1.8 standard deviations below the mean for fourth grade
D. The student’s score equates to the 18th percentile among fourth graders who took the test
Option B is correct.A grade-equivalent score of 1.8 indicates a score that students in a norm group are likely to earn in the eighth month of first grade.
A high school teacher of an inclusion class uses the project-based learning (PBL) approach to incorporate the use of laptop computers into the writing component of the project. Which of the following is the best rationale for using PBL approach?
a. Posing meaningful challenges for students and meeting the needs of diverse learners
b. Helping students gain ability with widely used types of technology
c. Encouraging students to use word processing features that check spelling and count the number of words used.
d. Helping students become acclimated to teacher-centered, college-type instructional practices.
Option A is correct. The fundamental reason for incorporating technology into a PBL activity is to create a student-centered learning opportunity in which the content is personalized for diverse learners.
On the basis of such cases as Hudsonv. Rowley (1982), the courts determined that “appropriate education” means that
A. students will have all the resources and related services needed to fulfill their potential
B. services that maximize achievement will be provided to students as long as the cost is not prohibitive
C. learners with disabilities will have an opportunity to achieve that is commensurate with that of their peers
D. interpreters will be provided for all deaf students
Option C is correct. The Supreme Court’s Hudson v. Rowley(1982) decision is the foundational document for special education. The majority opinion stated that it is sufficient for a school district to provide students with disabilities instruction and services “to permit the child to benefit educationally from that instruction.” It also defined the term “free and appropriate education” in the “least restrictive environment.”
Alicia is an 8-year-old bilingual student with learning disabilities. Which of the following would her special education teacher find most useful to determine skill levels for beginning instruction?
A. The history of her school attendance
B. Results of tests given to her in her native language
C. Her grades from the previous school year
D. Data on her socioeconomic background
Option B is correct. The information provided by the tests will best help her special education teacher determine where to begin instruction.
Jodeen is a 7-year-old who has been evaluated and found to have a mild-expressive language delay. Her hearing is normal, and her functioning in all areas other than expressive language is age appropriate. Which of the following placements would be most appropriate for Jodeen?
A. A self-contained special education class with speech and language services
B. A part-time placement in a resource room for developmental and oral reading
C. A full-time general education placement with speech and language services
D. A full-time general education placement with an emphasis on reading support
Option C is correct. Since Jodeen’s functioning is age appropriate in most respects, it is probable that she could work at the level of the class in a general education setting as long as she is provided with appropriate support services to address her expressive language deficit.
As an intervention, response cost is best suited for which of the following purposes?
A. Improving students’ understanding of directions
B. Increasing the speed of student’s performance in mathematics
C. Decreasing the incidence of angry outbursts by students
D. Decreasing excessive competitiveness among students
Option C is correct. Response cost needs to be tied to the occurrence of a specific, observable behavior.
To promote the transfer of word-attack skills to newspaper reading, a middle school teacher of students with mild intellectual disabilities is most likely to
A. prepare teacher-made newspaper articles for the students to read
B. select articles from the local newspaper for the students to read
C. develop writing exercises using words from the curriculum
D. prepare work sheet exercises based on single sentences from newspaper articles
Option B is correct. One component of successful transfer of learning is the similarity between the situation through which a skill is learned and the situation on which a skill is learned, and the situation to which the skill is to be applied. This activity is authentic and is the most appropriate opportunity for students to use word-attack skills.
According to IDEA, a student who is referred for special education services must be evaluated within how many days of the referral date?
A. 30 days
B. 60 days
C. 90 days
D. 120 days
Option B is correct.This question tests your knowledge of IDEA. IDEA requires that an evaluation must conclude within 60 days of the referral date.
Students with learning disabilities typically can benefit most from whole-language instruction if it is combined with direct instruction in
A. auditory comprehension
B. phonics and word recognition
C. visual-motor integration
D. visual memory
Option B is correct. Most students with a learning disability require direct instruction in phonics and word recognition.
Which of the following most accurately describes a student having mental retardation?
a. The term is generally accepted and used for these students.
b. Most students that are classified as mentally retarded cannot learn due to their disability.
c. These students can enjoy life just like anyone else.
d. Mental retardation is diagnosed only on the basis of below-normal intelligence
The correct answer is C.
The mission statement for a certain elementary school states that positive growth occurs when diverse student bodies work together and help one another reach instructional goals. Which of the following educational practices is most likely to be used at the school to foster the full inclusion of students with disabilities?
A. Homogeneous grouping
B. Looping
C. Heterogeneous grouping
D. Tracking
Option C is correct. Heterogeneous groups are made up of students with diverse abilities and are helpful in including students with special needs.
Using a student’s classwork as a means to evaluate progress and adapt instruction is known as
A. curriculum-based assessment
B. standardized achievement testing
C. summative assessment
D. guided practice
Option A is correct. All student work reflects the curriculum; thus, the assessment is curriculum based.
According to federal safeguards, an outside evaluation of a student to confirm whether the student has a disability may be approved by a school district if the
A. school district does not provide one when requested
B. student has had at least one recent evaluation
C. parents desire another source of information
D. IEP team requires more data to develop a program
Option C is correct.Parents are permitted to request that an outside evaluation be conducted to confirm or challenge the results of testing reported by the school district.
Jen, a sixth-grade student, receives special education services under the category of specific learning disability. Jen’s IEP states that written assignments will be completed using word processing and speech recognition software. Which of the following is the best strategy for a teacher to use to promote successful use of assistive technology?
A. Limiting the amount of written homework
B. Providing software for home use
C. Assigning keyboarding homework
D. Allowing choice of topic for written assignments
Option B is correct. The student will be able to practice using the same programs at school and at home, thus reinforcing her writing skills.
According to IDEA, a student who has which of the following is classified as having a hearing impairment?
A. A history of ear infections resulting in a poor attendance record
B. A 100-decibel hearing loss that does not benefit from hearing aids
C. An early hearing loss that benefits from speech-language therapy
D. A fluctuating hearing loss that affects academic performance
Option D is correct. To be classified as having a hearing impairment, a student must have a permanent or fluctuating hearing loss that affects the student’s educational performance but is not included under the definition of deafness.
Under the provisions of IDEA, an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) for a 2-year-old child is most likely to include
A. a budget for early-intervention services
B. plans for making the transition into preschool
C. techniques for the family to use in introducing academic subjects
D. a recommendation of counseling for the child’s siblings
Option B is correct. According to IDEA, the IFSP must include plans for making the transition from early-intervention services into preschool.