CGA Special Education & Accommodations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When calculating the 'child count' for IDEA Part B grant formula allocations, which date is typically used to establish the count?
- October 1 of the prior school year
- December 1 of the prior school year (Correct answer)
- June 30 of the current fiscal year
- July 1 of the current fiscal year
Correct answer: December 1 of the prior school year
IDEA Part B funding formulas are based on the December 1 child count submitted by states to the U.S. Department of Education.
Question 2: A grantee's compliance report shows that 22% of special education students in their program are from a single racial group, exceeding the state's 15% threshold. This triggers a review for:
- Excess cost violations
- Significant disproportionality under IDEA (Correct answer)
- Civil rights complaints under Title VI
- Supplement-not-supplant violations
Correct answer: Significant disproportionality under IDEA
IDEA requires states to identify LEAs with significant disproportionality in special education identification, placement, or discipline by race/ethnicity.
Question 3: Under IDEA's 'excess cost' requirement, an LEA must spend at least a minimum average per-pupil expenditure on students with disabilities BEFORE using IDEA funds. What is this requirement designed to prevent?
- Over-identification of students with disabilities
- Using IDEA funds as the sole source of special education funding (Correct answer)
- Purchasing non-educational equipment with Part B funds
- Contracting with private providers without competitive bidding
Correct answer: Using IDEA funds as the sole source of special education funding
The excess cost requirement ensures LEAs use their own funds to meet baseline educational costs before IDEA funds are applied, preventing IDEA from replacing local spending.
Question 4: A parent disagrees with their child's IEP placement. Which IDEA procedural safeguard allows them to request an independent review before a due process hearing?
- Prior written notice
- Mediation (Correct answer)
- Stay-put provision
- Surrogate parent appointment
Correct answer: Mediation
IDEA's mediation provision allows parents and LEAs to voluntarily resolve disputes with a neutral mediator before pursuing formal due process.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the 'stay-put' provision under IDEA during a due process dispute?
- The student must remain in the most restrictive environment
- The student remains in the current educational placement pending resolution (Correct answer)
- The LEA may unilaterally change placement while the case is pending
- The student is excluded from all programs during the dispute
Correct answer: The student remains in the current educational placement pending resolution
The stay-put provision requires that the child remain in their current placement while any due process or judicial proceeding is pending, unless both parties agree otherwise.
Question 6: A grant-funded after-school program serving students with disabilities must provide transportation as an accommodation. Under which law is this most likely required?
- Title I of ESEA
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Correct answer)
- McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act
- Carl D. Perkins Act
Correct answer: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 requires that grant-funded programs make their services accessible, which may include transportation if it is necessary for a student with a disability to access the program.
Question 7: A CGA is auditing a sub-grantee's special education expenditures. Which cost category is generally NOT allowable under IDEA Part B funds?
- Assistive technology devices
- Paraprofessional salaries supporting IEP services
- Construction of a new special education wing (Correct answer)
- Professional development for special education staff
Correct answer: Construction of a new special education wing
IDEA Part B funds generally cannot be used for construction or permanent improvements to facilities; they are restricted to services, personnel, and instructional materials.
CGA Special Education & Accommodations 3
When calculating the 'child count' for IDEA Part B grant formula allocations, which date is typically used to establish the count?