NYSTCE: Students with Disabilities Exam Prep #1
This is a timed quiz. You will be given 60 seconds per question. Are you ready?
Which of the following should be included in an observation?
An observation should include a verbatim record of any comments the child makes, as well as other pertinent details, such as what the lesson was, the student’s involvement in the lesson, and the student’s on-task behavior. A description of the student’s clothing may be called for if the student’s clothing was somehow contributing to his inability to focus (e.g. shorts when the weather is very cold).
Chloe, 14 months old, was born with cerebral palsy. She has low muscle tone and is delayed on most developmental milestones. Which of the following services will she likely receive?
In-home therapy services provided by a specialist are a common arrangement for a young child with special needs. A physical therapist, occupational therapist, special ed teacher, or speech language pathologist may visit, or all four may rotate visits. Young children may also be enrolled in a day care program that provides these services.
Which of the following is a characteristic of the Stanford-Binet Fifth Edition IQ Test?
The Stanford-Binet IQ Test is suitable for individuals age 2 to adult.
What is the purpose of learning objectives?
The purpose of learning objectives is to allow a teacher to clearly define what her students should gain from a particular activity or unit of study. Although many school districts do require that teachers complete learning objectives, the real purpose of learning objectives is to help a teacher articulate her expectations for a given assignment. A well-developed learning objective should discuss the who, what, when, and how of learning. For example: By the end of October, my students will be able to write a well-developed paragraph, using indentations and conventions correctly.
Shea’s mother was surprised and upset when the teacher expressed her concerns. Which of the following reactions by Mrs. Jones will help Shea’s mother reach a state of acceptance?
Mrs. Jones can describe Shea’s challenges calmly and objectively and assure Mrs. Jones that she’ll do everything she can to help Shea overcome them. Parents’ reactions vary considerably, but an empathetic, proactive approach is usually the best way to help parents deal with negative feelings.
Which of the following is the Brigance Diagnostic Inventory of Basic Skills-Revised most useful for?
The Brigance Diagnostic Inventory of Basic Skills-Revised tests a child’s learning readiness, listening skills, reading, and knowledge of language arts and mathematics. It is often used to pinpoint weaknesses in a child’s learning and can be a useful tool for writing IEP goals.
Which of the following best describes Ages & Stages Questionnaires?
The Ages & Stages Questionnaires is a questionnaire completed by parents or a pediatrician with the parents’ input. It is frequently used to flag normal developmental milestones and screen for autism.
The 1979 California court case, Larry P. v. Riles, California, was about which of the following issues in relation to formal assessments?
The 1979 California court case, Larry P. v. Riles, California, regarded the question of whether IQ tests were culturally and racially discriminatory. In this case, the court ruled that the intellectual functioning of a black child must be assessed by his classroom performance, academic achievement, personal history, and behavior, as opposed to an IQ test.
Which of the following times are not recommended for conducting formal assessments?
Children are more likely to be distracted or unfocused on days immediately following or preceding a holiday, making these times undesirable for testing. Avoid testing on Mondays and Fridays for the same reason.
What is an anticipatory set as part of an effective lesson plan?
An anticipatory set is an attention-getting device that engages student interest and prepares them for study. An anticipatory set can also serve to assess students’ current knowledge. For example, before starting a unit on volcanoes, the teacher may ask students what they already know or show a diorama or brief video.
Which of the following best describes a characteristic of the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC II) mental processing scales?
The Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (KABC II) mental processing scales is suitable for children ages 2.6 to 12.6.
Mrs. Williams has a general idea of the curriculum for the year, but once she has assessed the children’s needs, she may make adjustments as needed. Which of the following is a logical next step in the planning process?
The next logical step in curriculum planning is to plan the large units of study for the year and organize a timeline. Developing objectives for learning usually takes place after the teacher has the broad curriculum pieces in place, as does writing the lesson plans and seeking input from the students.
Which of the following best describes the Denver Developmental Screening Test?
The Denver Developmental Screening Test quickly screens a child for basic developmental milestones. Pediatricians frequently use this test during well-child visits to ascertain that the child is meeting milestones. The test takes 20 minutes to administer and requires just a few simple toys.
Which of the following answers best represents a characteristic of the Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement?
The Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement is a norm-referenced, standardized test that measures basic academic skills, such as decoding, comprehension, math computation, and spelling. It is suitable for grades pre-K through 12.
If the SPED staff cannot reach a consensus on a particular IEP objective, which of the following represents a possible outcome?
Although rare, the dissenting party has the right to file a dissenting opinion, which is recorded on the IEP.
Once a child qualifies for early childhood services, which of the following best represents the next process?
After a child qualifies for services, a team of specialists will develop an IEP with the parent to determine which programs best meet the child’s needs. Options include speech therapy in a speech and language preschool group, two days of preschool, or four days of preschool.
First grader Michelle attends a private school, but her parents are concerned that she may have a learning disability. What are the school district’s obligations in relation to Michelle?
Under federal law, the school district must offer testing services to Michelle if the parents request it.
The Wechsler Intelligence Scale has formal assessments for which of the following age groups?
The Wechsler Intelligence Scale offers three tests. The Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence is for children ages 4 to 6.5 years of age. The Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-WISC-IV is suitable for children ages 6.0 to 16.11. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale is used for ages 16 to adult.
Some classroom teachers feel that adaptations and assistive technology teach a student to be lazy. How can special education specialists ensure that a teacher complies with the needed accommodation?
To ensure teacher compliance, use very specific language within the IEP to indicate any required assistive technologies or adaptations. Attempts to educate teachers through discussions are useful, but not all teachers are receptive. Clear language in the IEP is the best guarantee of compliance.
Which of the following behaviors suggests the need for further evaluation based on normal developmental milestones?
No spoken language by age 2 is a sign that the child may have a learning disability. A formal screening is appropriate. Any parental concerns about development should be addressed by a pediatrician. According to the No Child Left Behind legislation, states have a responsibility to find at-risk children and provide appropriate evaluations and treatment.
The Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test for ages three years and older uses a set of cards with images that the child attempts to recreate. This test provides clues about which of the following possible problems?
The Bender Visual-Motor Gestalt Test uses a series of cards to identify possible visual perceptual deficits.
Fourth grader Darcie seemed unfocused and disinterested in learning. She often had headaches and complained of feeling dizzy. Mrs. Williams recommended a health assessment by her doctor rather than referring her to the special ed team. Why did Mrs. Williams choose this route?
Mrs. Williams knew that health problems can sometimes cause learning problems. In Darcie’s case, low blood sugar was the reason she seemed unfocused and disinterested. Providing protein-rich snacks in addition to lunch solved Darcie’s problem without further intervention.
Kaley has met several of her IEP goals early. Which of the following describes the appropriate next step?
If a student finishes goals early, the special ed teacher should schedule a meeting to write new goals. At this time, she can ask parents for input.
Once Mrs. Jones recognizes a problem, which of the following represents the next likely step?
The first step is typically to form a Student Study Team with the parents and other specialists.
When analyzing the data from formal assessments, which of the following answers best represents the appropriate strategy for writing IEP goals?
The purpose of formal assessments is to give a realistic picture of a child’s strengths and weaknesses, which can then be used to write measurable and realistic IEP goals. The data may also drive decisions regarding assistive technologies, but these are written as modifications or adaptations, rather than goals.