MTEL MTEL Professional Ethics & Legal Standards 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on:
- Race and national origin in federally funded programs
- Sex in federally funded education programs and activities (Correct answer)
- Disability status in public schools
- Age in employment decisions
Correct answer: Sex in federally funded education programs and activities
Title IX prohibits sex-based discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance, including sexual harassment and assault.
Question 2: In Massachusetts, which document governs the individualized services a student with a disability receives and must be developed with parent participation?
- 504 Plan only
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) (Correct answer)
- Student Behavior Support Plan
- English Language Learner Plan
Correct answer: Individualized Education Program (IEP)
An IEP is the legally required document under IDEA that outlines a student's special education goals, services, and accommodations, developed collaboratively with the IEP team including parents.
Question 3: A student with ADHD does not qualify for special education but needs academic supports. The appropriate legal framework is:
- IDEA Part B services
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Correct answer)
- Title I supplemental services
- ESEA accommodations
Correct answer: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 provides accommodations and supports to students with disabilities that substantially limit major life activities, even when they do not qualify for IDEA-funded special education.
Question 4: The Massachusetts anti-bullying law requires schools to:
- Address only physical bullying incidents
- Develop and implement a bullying prevention plan and investigate all reports (Correct answer)
- Defer all bullying reports to law enforcement
- Discipline only the student who initiates bullying
Correct answer: Develop and implement a bullying prevention plan and investigate all reports
Massachusetts Chapter 92 of the Acts of 2010 requires all schools to adopt a comprehensive bullying prevention and intervention plan and investigate all reported incidents.
Question 5: Which ethical principle requires Massachusetts educators to act in the best academic, social, and emotional interests of each student?
- Fidelity to the institution
- Duty of care and student-centered advocacy (Correct answer)
- Collegial loyalty to administration
- Compliance with union contract terms
Correct answer: Duty of care and student-centered advocacy
The educator's duty of care and student-centered advocacy means prioritizing student well-being and educational interests above other institutional or personal concerns.
Question 6: A teacher uses a copyrighted article in a classroom lesson without permission. Under the Fair Use doctrine, this is most likely permissible if:
- The teacher has been employed for more than five years
- The use is educational, non-commercial, and uses a small portion of the work (Correct answer)
- The teacher purchased a personal copy of the publication
- The school is a public institution funded by taxes
Correct answer: The use is educational, non-commercial, and uses a small portion of the work
Fair Use permits limited educational use of copyrighted material when the use is non-commercial, educational, and uses only what is necessary for the purpose.
MTEL MTEL Professional Ethics & Legal Standards 2
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on: