GCPS GCPS Special Education & Inclusive Practices 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under IDEA, which document outlines the individualized goals, services, and accommodations for a student with a disability in a Gwinnett County public school?
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) (Correct answer)
- Section 504 Plan
- Behavior Intervention Plan
- Response to Intervention Plan
Correct answer: Individualized Education Program (IEP)
An IEP is the legally required document under IDEA that details individualized goals, services, and accommodations for eligible students with disabilities.
Question 2: A GCPS teacher notices a student struggles with reading but does not qualify for special education services. Which tiered support framework should the teacher utilize first?
- Response to Intervention (RTI) (Correct answer)
- Full psychological evaluation
- Immediate IEP referral
- Retention in current grade
Correct answer: Response to Intervention (RTI)
RTI uses tiered evidence-based interventions to support struggling learners before pursuing special education eligibility.
Question 3: Which principle of inclusive education requires that students with disabilities be educated alongside non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate?
- Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) (Correct answer)
- Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
- Zero Reject
- Procedural Safeguards
Correct answer: Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
LRE mandates that students with disabilities be placed in the most inclusive setting possible while still meeting their educational needs.
Question 4: A GCPS special education teacher co-teaches with a general education teacher. Which co-teaching model has both teachers delivering instruction simultaneously to two separate groups within the same classroom?
- Parallel Teaching (Correct answer)
- One Teach/One Assist
- Station Teaching
- Alternative Teaching
Correct answer: Parallel Teaching
In parallel teaching, the class is split into two groups and each teacher delivers the same content simultaneously to their group.
Question 5: Which Section 504 accommodation is most appropriate for a student with ADHD who needs extended time on standardized assessments in a GCPS classroom?
- Time and a half on all timed assessments (Correct answer)
- Removal from all standardized testing
- Placement in a self-contained special education class
- Reduction of all academic coursework
Correct answer: Time and a half on all timed assessments
Extended time (typically time and a half) is a common and appropriate Section 504 accommodation for students with ADHD who struggle with timed tasks.
Question 6: A GCPS teacher suspects a student may have a learning disability. What is the correct first step in the referral process?
- Document concerns and consult with the school's Student Support Team (SST) (Correct answer)
- Immediately request a formal special education evaluation
- Contact the student's parents and recommend outside tutoring
- Reduce the student's workload to lower academic pressure
Correct answer: Document concerns and consult with the school's Student Support Team (SST)
In Georgia, teachers first bring concerns to the Student Support Team (SST) to document issues and implement school-based interventions before pursuing formal evaluation.
GCPS GCPS Special Education & Inclusive Practices 1
Under IDEA, which document outlines the individualized goals, services, and accommodations for a student with a disability in a Gwinnett County public school?