EDC Special Education Eligibility & Disability Classifications 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under IDEA, how many disability categories qualify a student for special education services?
- 10
- 13 (Correct answer)
- 15
- 8
Correct answer: 13
IDEA recognizes exactly 13 disability categories under which students may be eligible for special education and related services.
Question 2: Which IDEA disability category is most commonly identified in school-age children?
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Intellectual Disability
- Specific Learning Disability (Correct answer)
- Other Health Impairment
Correct answer: Specific Learning Disability
Specific Learning Disability (SLD) is the most prevalent IDEA category, consistently accounting for the largest percentage of students receiving special education services.
Question 3: For a student to be eligible for special education under IDEA, which two criteria must BOTH be met?
- The student must have a qualifying disability AND it must adversely affect educational performance (Correct answer)
- The student must have a medical diagnosis AND fail at least two grade levels
- The student must score below average AND have a parent-initiated referral
- The student must be referred by a teacher AND demonstrate behavior problems
Correct answer: The student must have a qualifying disability AND it must adversely affect educational performance
IDEA requires both a qualifying disability and evidence that the disability adversely affects educational performance, necessitating special education services.
Question 4: What is the term for the comprehensive team-based process of gathering data to determine if a student has a disability and requires special education?
- Child Find
- Full and Individual Evaluation (Multidisciplinary Evaluation) (Correct answer)
- Functional Behavioral Assessment
- Progress Monitoring
Correct answer: Full and Individual Evaluation (Multidisciplinary Evaluation)
A Full and Individual Evaluation, often called a multidisciplinary evaluation, is the comprehensive process used to assess all areas of suspected disability before eligibility determination.
Question 5: Under IDEA, a student with ADHD most commonly qualifies for special education under which disability category?
- Specific Learning Disability only
- Emotional Disturbance only
- Other Health Impairment (Correct answer)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
Correct answer: Other Health Impairment
ADHD typically qualifies under Other Health Impairment (OHI), which covers chronic or acute health conditions that limit alertness and adversely affect educational performance.
Question 6: Which document is the legally binding agreement between the school and family that outlines a student's special education services, goals, and placement?
- Section 504 Plan
- Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) (Correct answer)
- Evaluation Summary Report
Correct answer: Individualized Education Program (IEP)
The Individualized Education Program (IEP) is the legally binding document required under IDEA that outlines present levels, annual goals, services, and placement for eligible students.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of the 'Child Find' mandate under IDEA?
- To locate children who are gifted and talented for accelerated programs
- To identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities from birth through age 21 (Correct answer)
- To find children who are chronically absent from school
- To search for children in foster care who may need wraparound services
Correct answer: To identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities from birth through age 21
Child Find requires states and school districts to actively identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities from birth through age 21, regardless of school enrollment status.
EDC Special Education Eligibility & Disability Classifications 1
Under IDEA, how many disability categories qualify a student for special education services?