ALT Individualized Education Plans & Adaptations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student's IEP includes a goal to 'improve reading fluency.' Which SMART goal revision best meets federal requirements?
- The student will read grade-level text at 90 wpm with 95% accuracy by May 1. (Correct answer)
- The student will become a better reader by the end of the year.
- The student will improve reading skills with teacher support.
- The student will try harder during reading instruction daily.
Correct answer: The student will read grade-level text at 90 wpm with 95% accuracy by May 1.
SMART IEP goals must be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, as the first option demonstrates.
Question 2: Under IDEA, which team member's participation in an IEP meeting can be excused in writing if their curriculum area is not being modified?
- A general education teacher whose subject is not being discussed (Correct answer)
- The special education teacher
- The LEA representative
- The student's parent or guardian
Correct answer: A general education teacher whose subject is not being discussed
IDEA allows a general education teacher to be excused from an IEP meeting if their area of curriculum is not being modified, provided the parent consents in writing.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) in relation to a student's IEP?
- To outline positive strategies that address behaviors impeding learning (Correct answer)
- To list consequences for disciplinary infractions
- To document suspensions and expulsions
- To replace academic IEP goals with behavioral ones
Correct answer: To outline positive strategies that address behaviors impeding learning
A BIP provides proactive, positive behavioral supports and strategies to address behaviors that interfere with learning, and it is tied to a Functional Behavioral Assessment.
Question 4: A student with a visual impairment requires all printed materials in Braille. Under IDEA, this is documented as a:
- Supplementary aid and service (Correct answer)
- Modification to the curriculum
- Related service
- Short-term instructional objective
Correct answer: Supplementary aid and service
Braille materials are a supplementary aid and service that support the student's access to the general curriculum in the least restrictive environment.
Question 5: A parent disagrees with their child's IEP placement and requests mediation. Who typically facilitates this process?
- A trained, impartial mediator provided at no cost by the state (Correct answer)
- The school principal
- The district's special education director
- A judge appointed by the state board of education
Correct answer: A trained, impartial mediator provided at no cost by the state
IDEA requires states to offer voluntary mediation conducted by an impartial mediator trained in special education law, at no cost to the parent.
Question 6: When transitioning a student with disabilities from early intervention (Part C) to preschool services (Part B), the IEP must be in place by:
- The child's third birthday (Correct answer)
- The start of the next school year
- Within 60 days of parental consent
- Before the child's IEP meeting
Correct answer: The child's third birthday
IDEA mandates that the IEP and placement must be in effect by the child's third birthday to ensure seamless transition from Part C early intervention services.
Question 7: An IEP team is reviewing present levels of academic achievement. Which data source is MOST appropriate for establishing a baseline?
- Recent formal and informal assessment data collected across settings (Correct answer)
- Grades from the previous school year only
- Parent observations submitted at the meeting
- Standardized test scores from three years ago
Correct answer: Recent formal and informal assessment data collected across settings
Present levels should reflect current, multi-source data including formal assessments, classroom work, and observations to accurately capture the student's current functioning.
ALT Individualized Education Plans & Adaptations 2
A student's IEP includes a goal to 'improve reading fluency.' Which SMART goal revision best meets federal requirements?