CPS Special Education & Accommodations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under IDEA, what is the maximum number of days a student with a disability can be suspended before a manifestation determination review (MDR) is required?
- 5 consecutive days
- 10 cumulative days (Correct answer)
- 15 school days
- 20 calendar days
Correct answer: 10 cumulative days
IDEA requires a manifestation determination review when a student with a disability faces removal of more than 10 cumulative school days in a year.
Question 2: Which accommodation is considered a modification rather than an accommodation because it changes the construct being measured?
- Extended time on a reading fluency test
- Preferential seating during instruction
- Reducing the number of math problems on a test
- Allowing the use of a calculator on a computation test (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Allowing the use of a calculator on a computation test
Allowing a calculator on a math computation test changes what is being measured (calculation skill), making it a modification, not merely an accommodation.
Question 3: A student's IEP team is considering placement options. What principle requires the team to consider the least restrictive environment (LRE) first?
- Zero reject principle
- Continuum of alternative placements (Correct answer)
- Non-discriminatory evaluation
- Procedural safeguards
Correct answer: Continuum of alternative placements
The continuum of alternative placements principle requires IEP teams to consider a range of settings and select the LRE where the student can make progress with appropriate supports.
Question 4: Which federal law specifically prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs receiving federal financial assistance, including public schools?
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Correct answer)
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
- No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
Correct answer: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits disability-based discrimination in any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
Question 5: During a multidisciplinary team evaluation, a psycho-educational specialist notices that a student's test scores are inconsistent across sessions. What is the MOST appropriate next step?
- Average the scores and report the mean
- Discard the lower scores as invalid
- Report the inconsistency and investigate potential causes (Correct answer)
- Select only the highest scores to reflect the student's potential
Correct answer: Report the inconsistency and investigate potential causes
Professionals must report score variability and explore causes such as fatigue, anxiety, or inconsistent effort to ensure accurate interpretation.
Question 6: A student with an IEP receives reading instruction in a general education classroom with a co-teacher. This placement model is BEST described as:
- Resource room
- Inclusion with co-teaching (Correct answer)
- Self-contained special education
- Itinerant support
Correct answer: Inclusion with co-teaching
Inclusion with co-teaching places the student in the general education setting with both a general and special education teacher sharing instructional responsibilities.
Question 7: Which document outlines the specific accommodations and services a student receives under Section 504 but does NOT have the same legal requirements as an IEP?
- Behavioral Intervention Plan (BIP)
- 504 Accommodation Plan (Correct answer)
- Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
- Transition Services Plan
Correct answer: 504 Accommodation Plan
A 504 Accommodation Plan documents supports for students with disabilities under Section 504 but has fewer procedural requirements than an IEP under IDEA.
CPS Special Education & Accommodations 2
Under IDEA, what is the maximum number of days a student with a disability can be suspended before a manifestation determination review (MDR) is required?