Safety Systems & Standards Flashcards

Which federal law specifically prohibits schools from using a single measure or criterion to determine eligibility for special education?

Answer: IDEA

IDEA requires a comprehensive, multifaceted evaluation using a variety of assessment tools and strategies, not a single test score.

A diagnostician is evaluating a student whose parents have limited English proficiency. Notices about procedural safeguards must be provided:

Answer: In the native language of the parent unless clearly not feasible

IDEA requires that parent notices be provided in the native language or mode of communication of the parent to ensure meaningful participation.

The concept of 'informed consent' under IDEA requires that parental consent for an initial evaluation must be:

Answer: Voluntary, informed, and in writing before the evaluation begins

IDEA defines informed consent as written, voluntary, and based on full disclosure of all activities for which consent is sought.

When a student's behavior during testing suggests extreme test anxiety, a diagnostician's best practice to support valid assessment is to:

Answer: Build rapport, offer structured breaks, and document anxiety's potential impact on results

Documenting anxiety-related observations alongside results provides critical context for interpreting scores and limits over-identification errors.

Under FERPA, which of the following school officials may access a student's education records WITHOUT parental consent?

Answer: School officials with a legitimate educational interest as defined in the district's policy

FERPA's school officials exception allows access for employees with a genuine need to know in the performance of their professional duties.

A diagnostician realizes midway through an evaluation that the norm sample for the chosen test excludes students from the student's demographic background. The most professionally appropriate response is to:

Answer: Supplement with additional measures normed on a more representative sample and note the limitation in the report

Using supplemental data and clearly documenting limitations protects the student from misdiagnosis due to norm-related bias.

A diagnostician's duty to maintain 'test security' means they must NOT:

Answer: Share specific test items or correct answers with anyone, including parents or teachers

Sharing specific items or answers compromises the psychometric integrity of the instrument and violates publisher copyright and ethical codes.