New York State Exam New York State Teachers 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as implemented in New York, an IEP team meeting must be held at least how often?
- Every six months
- Annually (Correct answer)
- Every two years
- Only when the student changes grade levels
Correct answer: Annually
Federal and New York State law require that each student's IEP be reviewed and, if appropriate, revised at least once a year.
Question 2: What is the maximum class size allowed for a self-contained special education classroom serving students with emotional disturbance in New York State?
- 8 students
- 10 students (Correct answer)
- 12 students
- 15 students
Correct answer: 10 students
New York State regulations set a maximum of 12 students for most self-contained special education classrooms, but 10 for students classified with emotional disturbance.
Question 3: A New York teacher discovers that a colleague has been accessing student records without authorization. Under FERPA, the teacher should first:
- Post about it anonymously on social media
- Report the concern to the school's designated FERPA compliance officer or principal (Correct answer)
- Contact the student's parents directly
- File a complaint with the local police department
Correct answer: Report the concern to the school's designated FERPA compliance officer or principal
FERPA violations should be reported internally to the school or district's responsible official, who can investigate and take corrective action.
Question 4: Which document outlines the statewide learning standards that New York public school teachers are expected to address in their instruction?
- New York State Common Core Learning Standards (now Next Generation Learning Standards) (Correct answer)
- New York State Curriculum Frameworks
- New York State Regents Diploma Requirements
- New York State Comprehensive Education Plan
Correct answer: New York State Common Core Learning Standards (now Next Generation Learning Standards)
The New York State Next Generation Learning Standards (revised from the Common Core) specify what students should know and be able to do at each grade level.
Question 5: A student with a disability requires testing accommodations specified in their IEP. A teacher refuses to provide them, citing fairness to other students. Which statement best describes the legal situation?
- The teacher is correct; accommodations give unfair advantages
- The teacher is violating IDEA and Section 504, which mandate required accommodations (Correct answer)
- Accommodations are optional if the teacher documents a pedagogical reason
- The principal may waive the accommodation on a case-by-case basis
Correct answer: The teacher is violating IDEA and Section 504, which mandate required accommodations
IEP-mandated accommodations are legally required under IDEA and Section 504; refusing to provide them constitutes a violation of federal and state law.
Question 6: Under New York's Open Meetings Law, when a school board wishes to discuss a teacher's disciplinary matter in private, it may hold a:
- Closed executive session after a majority vote and statement of purpose (Correct answer)
- Secret session without prior notice
- Closed meeting only if all board members agree unanimously
- Closed meeting only if the teacher waives the right to a public hearing
Correct answer: Closed executive session after a majority vote and statement of purpose
The Open Meetings Law permits executive sessions for personnel matters only when the full board votes to convene one and publicly states the general purpose.
Question 7: Which New York State initiative requires teachers of English Language Learners to hold a specific credential demonstrating competence in language acquisition instruction?
- The Bilingual Extension
- The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Extension (Correct answer)
- The English Language Arts Certification
- The Transitional Bilingual Education License
Correct answer: The Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Extension
New York requires educators serving English Language Learners in standalone ENL programs to hold a TESOL Extension or stand-alone ENL certificate.
New York State Exam New York State Teachers 4
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as implemented in New York, an IEP team meeting must be held at least how often?