NPC NPC Technology & Assessment in Education 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which of the following is an appropriate use of student data by a paraprofessional?
- Sharing individual student data on personal social media to celebrate achievements
- Using data to track a specific student's progress toward IEP goals as directed by the teacher (Correct answer)
- Discussing specific student scores with parents of other students
- Storing student data on a personal, unsecured device
Correct answer: Using data to track a specific student's progress toward IEP goals as directed by the teacher
Student data should be used professionally and only for legitimate educational purposes, such as monitoring progress toward documented goals, always following FERPA guidelines.
Question 2: When a paraprofessional supports a student during a standardized test, they must:
- Provide hints or point to correct answers to help the student succeed
- Read questions aloud only if specified as an approved accommodation in the student's IEP or 504 plan (Correct answer)
- Allow the student to use any resources available including the internet
- Complete parts of the test for the student to save time
Correct answer: Read questions aloud only if specified as an approved accommodation in the student's IEP or 504 plan
Testing accommodations must be specifically listed in the student's IEP or 504 plan and strictly implemented as written; providing additional, unauthorized assistance is a testing violation.
Question 3: A paraprofessional wants to use a video on YouTube in a lesson. What should they do first?
- Play the video immediately without checking its content
- Preview the content for appropriateness and obtain teacher approval before showing it to students (Correct answer)
- Ask students whether they want to watch it
- Share the link with students and let them watch it at home
Correct answer: Preview the content for appropriateness and obtain teacher approval before showing it to students
All instructional materials, including videos, should be previewed for age-appropriateness and aligned with lesson objectives, with teacher approval before use with students.
Question 4: In data-driven instruction, a paraprofessional's daily observations contribute to the instructional process by:
- Replacing the need for formal assessments entirely
- Providing real-time, qualitative data that helps teachers adjust instruction based on student needs (Correct answer)
- Eliminating the need for IEP team meetings
- Being kept private and not shared with anyone
Correct answer: Providing real-time, qualitative data that helps teachers adjust instruction based on student needs
Daily observational data from paraprofessionals gives teachers timely insight into student understanding, engagement, and challenges that formal assessments may not capture.
Question 5: A student uses a word prediction app as an assistive technology tool. The paraprofessional should:
- Discourage its use to promote independent spelling skills
- Encourage appropriate use per the IEP and help the student learn to use it effectively (Correct answer)
- Only allow its use on Fridays as a reward
- Remove the app if other students express jealousy
Correct answer: Encourage appropriate use per the IEP and help the student learn to use it effectively
Word prediction software is an IEP-specified tool that supports a student's writing output; consistent, skilled use should be encouraged and taught as part of the instructional program.
Question 6: Which type of assessment allows a paraprofessional to check student understanding quickly during a lesson?
- Semester-end standardized testing
- Exit tickets, thumbs up/down checks, or brief oral questioning during or at the end of a lesson (Correct answer)
- Annual state assessments
- Monthly cumulative exams
Correct answer: Exit tickets, thumbs up/down checks, or brief oral questioning during or at the end of a lesson
Informal, embedded checks for understanding — like exit tickets or quick verbal responses — allow immediate feedback during instruction without interrupting lesson flow significantly.
NPC NPC Technology & Assessment in Education 2
Which of the following is an appropriate use of student data by a paraprofessional?