FED Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield FED facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. The 'Common Core State Standards' were primarily designed to establish: → Consistent academic expectations across participating states
2. The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) of 2015 replaced which prior federal education law? → No Child Left Behind Act
3. James Banks identified five dimensions of multicultural education. Which dimension involves changing the entire school culture to reflect diversity? → An empowering school culture and social structure
4. Which concept from Carol Dweck's research refers to the belief that intelligence is fixed and cannot be meaningfully changed? → Fixed mindset
5. Which philosopher's concept of 'tabula rasa' most directly influenced progressive and child-centered education? → John Locke
6. A student who attributes her exam failure to bad luck rather than insufficient study is demonstrating which attribution style? → External, unstable attribution
7. Labeling theory in education suggests that when students are labeled as 'slow' or 'troublemakers,' they are likely to: → Internalize the label and conform to it, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy
8. Which approach to multicultural education emphasizes transforming the curriculum so students view concepts from the perspectives of diverse cultural groups? → Transformation approach
9. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 addressed gender equity primarily by: → Prohibiting sex discrimination in any federally funded education program or activity
10. Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) provides federal funding primarily to: → Schools and districts with high concentrations of students from low-income families
11. Which psychologist is primarily associated with the stages of moral development progressing from pre-conventional to post-conventional reasoning? → Lawrence Kohlberg
12. Which act, passed in 1975, guaranteed students with disabilities the right to a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment? → The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94-142)
13. Which philosophy of education holds that truth is eternal and unchanging, emphasizing the great works of Western civilization? → Perennialism
14. Regarding the nature of teaching, which of the following statements is true? → All of the above are correct
15. James Coleman's later research on social capital in education emphasized that student achievement is aided by: → Dense networks of trust and mutual obligation among families, schools, and communities
16. In inquiry-based learning, the teacher's primary role is to: → Pose questions, guide investigation, and facilitate student-driven exploration
17. What phrase best expresses the passing down of culture from parents to their offspring or from individuals within the same community? → Enculturation
18. In the educational process, how many foundations are used? → 6
19. Which federal legislation, originally passed in 1965, is the primary source of federal funding for disadvantaged K-12 students in the US? → Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
20. Which educational approach involves organizing instruction around complex, real-world problems that students investigate over an extended period? → Project-based learning
21. What science of is Psychology? → Behaviour
22. Backward design, as advocated by Wiggins and McTighe in 'Understanding by Design,' starts curriculum planning by: → Beginning with desired learning outcomes and assessments, then planning instruction
23. The term 'null curriculum' refers to: → Subject matter that schools do not teach, implicitly communicating what is unimportant
24. Horace Mann is often called the 'Father of American Public Education' because of his role in establishing what in Massachusetts? → The common school system with state oversight and trained teachers
25. Which of these groups of ancient teachers would place about the same emphasis on their instruction? → Socrates and Confucius
26. In existentialist education, which element is considered most important? → Individual choice and personal responsibility
27. The concept of the 'hidden curriculum' refers to: → Implicit values, norms, and behaviors taught alongside formal content
28. What is the purpose of the socialization process? → Perception of the situation
29. The progressive education movement of the early 20th century, closely associated with John Dewey, viewed the school's primary role as what? → A social institution fostering democratic participation and reflective thinking
30. Which term describes the practice of assigning students to different academic tracks (e.g., honors, standard, remedial) based on perceived ability? → Tracking