CodeHS Special Education Fundamentals 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'Universal Design for Learning' (UDL)?
- A construction standard for accessible school buildings
- A framework for designing flexible curriculum to meet diverse learner needs (Correct answer)
- A federal law requiring ramps and elevators in schools
- A standardized testing accommodation plan
Correct 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.
Question 2: What is 'scaffolding' in the context of special education instruction?
- Building physical structures for outdoor education
- Providing temporary support that is gradually removed as students gain competence (Correct answer)
- Assigning peer buddies to students with disabilities
- Writing goals in small measurable steps
Correct 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.
Question 3: Which assessment type measures what a student CAN do rather than comparing them to peers?
- Norm-referenced assessment
- Criterion-referenced assessment (Correct answer)
- Standardized achievement test
- Intelligence quotient test
Correct answer: Criterion-referenced assessment
Criterion-referenced assessments measure performance against specific learning criteria or standards rather than peer comparisons.
Question 4: What is 'present levels of academic achievement and functional performance' (PLAAFP) in an IEP?
- A list of past special education services received
- A baseline description of the student's current skills that drives goal writing (Correct answer)
- The student's grade history and transcript
- A summary of standardized test scores only
Correct 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.
Question 5: What does 'related services' refer to under IDEA?
- General education elective courses
- Supportive services such as speech therapy, OT, and counseling needed to benefit from special education (Correct answer)
- Administrative services provided by the district
- Extracurricular accommodations
Correct 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.
Question 6: A student with a visual impairment requires braille textbooks and a screen reader. These are examples of what type of support?
- Behavioral interventions
- Assistive technology (Correct answer)
- Transition services
- Supplementary aids
Correct answer: Assistive technology
Assistive technology includes devices and services that help students with disabilities access curriculum and demonstrate learning.
Question 7: What is 'progress monitoring' in special education?
- Reviewing a student's attendance records monthly
- Regularly collecting data on student performance to evaluate IEP goal progress (Correct answer)
- Conducting annual standardized assessments
- Observing classroom behavior once per semester
Correct 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.
CodeHS Special Education Fundamentals 3
What is 'Universal Design for Learning' (UDL)?