Mixed Deck — All FTCE ESE Topics Flashcards

Which of the following is NOT one of the six core principles of IDEA?

Answer: Standardized Testing Exemption

IDEA's six principles are Zero Reject, FAPE, LRE, Appropriate Evaluation, Parental Participation, and Procedural Safeguards — standardized testing exemption is not among them.

A student's IEP progress data shows consistent growth over 8 weeks that exceeds the aimline. What action should the IEP team consider?

Answer: Raise the performance criterion or accelerate the timeline of the IEP goal

When data consistently exceeds the aimline, the IEP team should consider raising the goal criterion or accelerating the target to ensure the student continues to be appropriately challenged.

What is the primary purpose of a 'sensory diet' for a student with ASD?

Answer: A personalized schedule of sensory activities designed by an occupational therapist to regulate arousal and support focus and learning

A sensory diet is an individualized schedule of sensory activities — such as movement breaks, weighted tools, or calming strategies — designed to maintain the student's optimal arousal level for learning.

In the ABC model of behavior analysis, what does 'A' stand for?

Answer: Antecedent

In behavior analysis, 'A' stands for Antecedent — the event, condition, or stimulus that precedes and may trigger the behavior.

What does 'theory of mind' (ToM) refer to in the context of ASD?

Answer: The ability to understand that others have thoughts, feelings, beliefs, and intentions that are different from one's own

Theory of mind refers to the ability to attribute mental states — thoughts, feelings, beliefs, desires — to others. Many individuals with ASD have difficulty with ToM, affecting social interaction and communication.

When a student's IEP specifies 'read-aloud' as an accommodation for assessments, which is the most appropriate implementation?

Answer: Having a trained examiner read all assessment items aloud verbatim as specified in the IEP

A trained examiner must deliver the read-aloud accommodation consistently and verbatim according to IEP specifications and testing administration guidelines.

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based approach for students with ASD. Which of the following BEST describes the core principle of ABA?

Answer: Using principles of behavior (reinforcement, prompting, shaping) to systematically increase desired skills and decrease challenging behaviors

ABA applies principles such as reinforcement, prompting, shaping, and extinction systematically to increase adaptive skills and decrease challenging behaviors in students with ASD.

A student with an intellectual disability who needs extensive support across most daily activities and requires highly modified academic content likely falls in which AAIDD support intensity level?

Answer: Extensive support

Extensive support means the student requires regular, ongoing assistance across multiple environments — more than limited (time-limited) but less than pervasive (constant, high-intensity) support.

In a co-teaching model, 'One Teach, One Assist' is most effective when:

Answer: One teacher leads instruction while the other circulates to provide individual support

In One Teach, One Assist, one teacher leads the lesson while the other moves through the room to provide targeted support to students who need it.

A student with ASD engages in repetitive hand-flapping, particularly during exciting activities. The teacher is concerned about whether to intervene. Which is the MOST appropriate approach?

Answer: Assess whether the behavior is self-regulatory and harmless, and only intervene if it significantly disrupts learning or safety

Many repetitive behaviors (like hand-flapping) serve a sensory regulation function and are harmless. The teacher should consider whether the behavior disrupts learning or safety before deciding to intervene.

A teacher uses 'anchor activities' in a differentiated classroom. What is the primary purpose of these activities?

Answer: To provide meaningful, independent work for students who finish early while the teacher works with others

Anchor activities are ongoing, independent tasks students work on when they complete their primary assignment, keeping all students productively engaged.

What is the primary purpose of a behavior intervention plan (BIP)?

Answer: To identify and address the reasons behind a student's behavior

The primary purpose of a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) is to proactively address challenging behaviors by identifying their underlying causes and developing strategies to teach replacement behaviors. A BIP is based on the findings of a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) and aims to support students in learning more appropriate ways to meet their needs. It focuses on understanding and changing behavior, not just punishing it.

A family from a culture that views disability as a source of family shame is reluctant to follow through with an IEP meeting. The MOST appropriate approach for the ESE teacher is to:

Answer: Build a respectful relationship, acknowledge the family's perspective, and provide culturally sensitive information about the IEP process and their child's rights

Building trust through culturally sensitive communication acknowledges the family's perspective while gently supporting their engagement in the IEP process.

In Florida, by what age must the IEP team notify a student that parental educational rights will transfer to the student at the age of majority (unless a guardian is legally appointed)?

Answer: 17

Florida follows the IDEA requirement that students be notified not later than one year before the age of majority. Since Florida's age of majority is 18, the IEP team must inform the student of this transfer of rights at age 17.

Which of the following is a key feature of 'universal screening' in an MTSS/RTI framework?

Answer: Administering brief screening assessments to all students to identify those at risk for academic or behavioral difficulties

Universal screening involves brief assessments given to all students (typically 3 times per year) to identify those at risk who may need additional instructional support.

In an RTI model, what is the key distinction between Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions?

Answer: Tier 3 is more intensive, more frequent, and often individualized compared to the standardized small-group format of Tier 2

Tier 3 provides the most intensive, individualized intervention — often one-on-one or very small groups with increased frequency — compared to the standardized small-group approach used in Tier 2.

For a student who uses an AAC device, the IEP team should ensure that:

Answer: The student has access to the device throughout the school day across all settings

AAC devices must be available throughout the student's entire school day and across all settings (classroom, lunch, specials) to support communication in all contexts.

A student's progress monitoring data shows a flat trend line despite 6 weeks of instruction. According to data-based decision-making protocols, what should the teacher do?

Answer: Review and modify the instructional approach, considering more intensive or differentiated strategies

A flat trend line over 6 weeks indicates the current instruction is not producing growth, and the teacher should analyze the data and modify the instructional approach.

What is the function of a functional behavior assessment (FBA)?

Answer: To analyze the cause and effect relationship of behavior and environment

A Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) is a systematic process used to identify the purpose or function of a student's challenging behavior. It involves collecting data to understand *why* a behavior occurs, examining the antecedents (what happens before) and consequences (what happens after) in the environment. This analysis helps in developing effective, function-based behavior intervention plans.

Which statement best describes the role of the student in the IEP process, particularly for secondary students?

Answer: Student participation in IEP development, including self-advocacy training, is encouraged and required for transition-age students

IDEA encourages student participation in IEP meetings and requires that transition-age students be invited to their IEP meetings, supporting the development of self-advocacy and self-determination skills.