Special Education Fundamentals Flashcards

What is 'Universal Design for Learning' (UDL)?

Answer: A framework for designing flexible curriculum to meet diverse learner needs

UDL is an educational framework that proactively builds flexibility into curriculum design to reduce barriers for all learners.

What is 'scaffolding' in the context of special education instruction?

Answer: Providing temporary support that is gradually removed as students gain competence

Scaffolding involves offering temporary instructional support that is faded as the learner develops independence.

Which assessment type measures what a student CAN do rather than comparing them to peers?

Answer: Criterion-referenced assessment

Criterion-referenced assessments measure performance against specific learning criteria or standards rather than peer comparisons.

What is 'present levels of academic achievement and functional performance' (PLAAFP) in an IEP?

Answer: A baseline description of the student's current skills that drives goal writing

The PLAAFP documents the student's current strengths and needs and directly informs the development of annual IEP goals.

What does 'related services' refer to under IDEA?

Answer: Supportive services such as speech therapy, OT, and counseling needed to benefit from special education

Related services are developmental or corrective supports required to help students with disabilities benefit from special education.

A student with a visual impairment requires braille textbooks and a screen reader. These are examples of what type of support?

Answer: Assistive technology

Assistive technology includes devices and services that help students with disabilities access curriculum and demonstrate learning.

What is 'progress monitoring' in special education?

Answer: Regularly collecting data on student performance to evaluate IEP goal progress

Progress monitoring involves frequent data collection to determine whether a student is on track to meet IEP goals and to adjust instruction.