ESPC IEP Implementation Support 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student's IEP specifies that she should receive extended time on tests. The classroom teacher gives a timed quiz without accommodations. What should the paraeducator do?
- Ignore it since it was only a quiz
- Document the incident and inform the special education teacher (Correct answer)
- Confront the classroom teacher in front of students
- Allow the student extra time without notifying anyone
Correct answer: Document the incident and inform the special education teacher
Paraeducators should document and report accommodation failures to the special education teacher to ensure the IEP is properly implemented.
Question 2: Which of the following best describes the paraeducator's role during IEP-based instruction?
- Lead all instructional decisions independently
- Implement strategies designed by the supervising educator (Correct answer)
- Modify IEP goals when they seem too difficult
- Evaluate student progress and update the IEP
Correct answer: Implement strategies designed by the supervising educator
Paraeducators implement instructional strategies developed by licensed educators rather than designing or modifying them independently.
Question 3: A student's IEP includes a behavior intervention plan (BIP). During class, the student begins to escalate. What is the paraeducator's first step?
- Send the student to the principal's office
- Follow the intervention steps outlined in the BIP (Correct answer)
- Call the student's parents immediately
- Remove all other students from the room
Correct answer: Follow the intervention steps outlined in the BIP
The BIP is a legally binding plan that paraeducators must follow consistently when managing challenging behaviors.
Question 4: An IEP goal states: 'Student will identify main idea with 80% accuracy across 3 consecutive sessions.' How should a paraeducator track this goal?
- Subjectively estimate performance at the end of each week
- Record trial-by-trial data each session and report to the supervising teacher (Correct answer)
- Only record data when the student performs well
- Mark the goal complete after one successful session
Correct answer: Record trial-by-trial data each session and report to the supervising teacher
Accurate trial-by-trial data collection across sessions is required to document mastery at the stated accuracy level.
Question 5: A paraeducator notices that a student with an IEP is consistently finishing work much faster than expected. What is the most appropriate action?
- Give the student harder work independently
- Note the observation and communicate it to the special education teacher (Correct answer)
- Tell the student to slow down
- Modify the IEP goal level on the spot
Correct answer: Note the observation and communicate it to the special education teacher
Observations about student performance should be communicated to the supervising teacher, who can determine if IEP goals need adjustment.
Question 6: Which accommodation requires the most direct, ongoing paraeducator involvement during instruction?
- Extended test time
- Preferential seating
- Scribing for written assignments (Correct answer)
- Reduced homework quantity
Correct answer: Scribing for written assignments
Scribing requires the paraeducator to actively transcribe the student's verbal responses in real time during the task.
Question 7: A student's IEP mandates small-group reading instruction. The general education teacher asks the paraeducator to skip it today because the class is taking a field trip. What should the paraeducator do?
- Skip the session without question
- Check with the special education teacher before changing IEP services (Correct answer)
- Independently reschedule the session for the next day
- Provide the instruction on the bus instead
Correct answer: Check with the special education teacher before changing IEP services
Changes to IEP service delivery must be coordinated with the special education teacher to ensure legal compliance.
ESPC IEP Implementation Support 2
A student's IEP specifies that she should receive extended time on tests.
The classroom teacher gives a timed quiz without accommodations.
What should the paraeducator do?