CPACE Special Education and Student Support Services 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A parent disagrees with the school's special education assessment findings. What procedural safeguard allows the parent to request an independent evaluation at public expense?
- Prior Written Notice (PWN)
- Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) (Correct answer)
- Due Process Hearing
- Mediation
Correct answer: Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)
An IEE allows parents to obtain an independent evaluation at public expense if they disagree with the school's assessment, and the school must either fund it or initiate a due process hearing to defend its own evaluation.
Question 2: Under California's AB 3632 successor laws and the CDE's responsibility, who is primarily responsible for providing mental health services listed in an IEP?
- County Mental Health agencies
- Local Education Agencies (LEAs) (Correct answer)
- The California Department of Education directly
- Non-public school contractors
Correct answer: Local Education Agencies (LEAs)
Following AB 114, responsibility for IEP-related mental health services shifted from county mental health to LEAs, making local school districts responsible for providing these services.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the role of a school principal in the IEP process?
- The principal must chair every IEP meeting personally
- The principal or designee must ensure IEP meetings are held, resources are available, and staff implement the IEP (Correct answer)
- The principal is only involved when a parent files a complaint
- The principal reviews IEPs annually but has no role in implementation
Correct answer: The principal or designee must ensure IEP meetings are held, resources are available, and staff implement the IEP
Principals have administrative responsibility to ensure IEP meetings occur, necessary resources are provided, and that all staff who work with the student implement the IEP appropriately.
Question 4: What is the maximum amount of time a school district in California has to complete an initial special education assessment after receiving written parental consent?
- 30 calendar days
- 45 school days (Correct answer)
- 60 calendar days
- 90 school days
Correct answer: 45 school days
California Education Code requires that initial special education assessments be completed within 60 calendar days — or in practice 45 school days — of receiving written parental consent.
Question 5: A student with an IEP is suspended for 11 cumulative days in a school year. What action is legally required?
- No special action is required; the student can be suspended like any other student
- A manifestation determination review (MDR) must be conducted (Correct answer)
- The student's IEP must be immediately revised
- The parent must be notified but no meeting is required
Correct answer: A manifestation determination review (MDR) must be conducted
IDEA requires a manifestation determination review when a student with a disability is suspended for more than 10 cumulative school days to determine if the behavior is related to the disability.
Question 6: Under IDEA's transition planning requirements, by what age must transition services be addressed in a student's IEP?
- Age 14
- Age 16 (Correct answer)
- Age 18
- Age 21
Correct answer: Age 16
IDEA requires that transition services be included in the IEP by age 16 (or earlier if the IEP team determines appropriate), focusing on post-secondary goals for education, employment, and independent living.
Question 7: Which student support service model places special education and general education teachers in the same classroom to co-deliver instruction?
- Resource Specialist Program (RSP)
- Self-Contained Special Day Class (SDC)
- Co-teaching/collaborative team teaching (Correct answer)
- Designated Instructional Services (DIS)
Correct answer: Co-teaching/collaborative team teaching
Co-teaching places a general education and special education teacher together in the same inclusive classroom, allowing students with disabilities to access the general curriculum alongside peers.
CPACE Special Education and Student Support Services 2
A parent disagrees with the school's special education assessment findings.
What procedural safeguard allows the parent to request an independent evaluation at public expense?