GACE Special Education 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student with a learning disability struggles with phonological awareness. Which intervention is most evidence-based for improving reading decoding skills?
- Whole-language immersion
- Structured literacy with explicit phonics instruction (Correct answer)
- Silent reading practice
- Context-clue strategy only
Correct answer: Structured literacy with explicit phonics instruction
Structured literacy approaches with explicit, systematic phonics instruction have the strongest research base for students with phonological processing deficits.
Question 2: Under IDEA, what is the maximum number of days a student with a disability can be removed from their current placement before a manifestation determination review must occur?
- 5 consecutive days
- 10 consecutive or cumulative school days (Correct answer)
- 15 school days
- 20 school days
Correct answer: 10 consecutive or cumulative school days
IDEA requires a manifestation determination review when a student with a disability is removed for more than 10 consecutive or cumulative school days in a school year.
Question 3: A teacher uses a token economy system where students earn tokens for on-task behavior and exchange them for preferred activities. This is an example of which behavioral approach?
- Extinction
- Negative reinforcement
- Positive reinforcement through a conditioned reinforcer (Correct answer)
- Response cost
Correct answer: Positive reinforcement through a conditioned reinforcer
Tokens function as conditioned (secondary) reinforcers that acquire value because they can be exchanged for backup reinforcers, making this positive reinforcement.
Question 4: Which assessment approach involves collecting data on a student's performance across multiple settings, modalities, and over time to inform instructional decisions?
- Norm-referenced testing
- Curriculum-based measurement (CBM)
- Portfolio assessment (Correct answer)
- Dynamic assessment
Correct answer: Portfolio assessment
Portfolio assessment systematically collects student work samples across settings, modalities, and time periods to provide a comprehensive picture of performance.
Question 5: A student with autism spectrum disorder has difficulty transitioning between activities. Which support strategy is most appropriate during the school day?
- Eliminating all transitions by keeping one activity all day
- Using visual schedules and advance warning of transitions (Correct answer)
- Requiring immediate compliance with transitions
- Ignoring transition difficulties to promote independence
Correct answer: Using visual schedules and advance warning of transitions
Visual schedules and advance warnings reduce anxiety by providing predictability, which is a highly effective evidence-based support for students with ASD.
Question 6: What does 'least restrictive environment' (LRE) mean under IDEA?
- All students with disabilities must be educated in general education classrooms
- Students with disabilities should be educated with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate (Correct answer)
- Students with disabilities must be placed in self-contained settings for specialized instruction
- LRE is determined solely by the student's disability category
Correct answer: Students with disabilities should be educated with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate
LRE requires that students with disabilities be educated alongside non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate, with a continuum of placement options available.
Question 7: A special education teacher is co-teaching with a general education teacher. In the 'station teaching' model, what occurs?
- One teacher instructs while the other observes and collects data
- Both teachers divide content and students rotate through teaching stations (Correct answer)
- One teacher works with a small group while the other teaches the class
- Both teachers plan together but only one teaches at a time
Correct answer: Both teachers divide content and students rotate through teaching stations
In station teaching, teachers divide both the content and the class into groups that rotate through different instructional stations led by each teacher.
GACE Special Education 2
A student with a learning disability struggles with phonological awareness.
Which intervention is most evidence-based for improving reading decoding skills?