OAE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Education 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The term 'culturally responsive teaching' in early childhood education primarily means:
- Teaching only the dominant culture's traditions
- Incorporating children's home cultures, languages, and experiences into curriculum and interactions (Correct answer)
- Avoiding any discussion of cultural differences in the classroom
- Using the same materials for all children regardless of background
Correct answer: Incorporating children's home cultures, languages, and experiences into curriculum and interactions
Culturally responsive teaching affirms children's identities by weaving their home cultures and languages into daily learning experiences.
Question 2: Under IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), children with disabilities ages 3–5 are entitled to:
- Services only if the disability is severe
- A free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (Correct answer)
- Services funded entirely by families
- Placement only in specialized separate classrooms
Correct answer: A free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment
IDEA guarantees FAPE in the least restrictive environment for eligible children with disabilities ages 3–21, including preschoolers.
Question 3: An Individualized Education Program (IEP) for a preschool child with a disability MUST include:
- A diagnosis code from a physician
- Present levels of performance, measurable annual goals, and services to be provided (Correct answer)
- Parent consent to change the child's primary language of instruction
- A commitment that the child will reach grade-level benchmarks by age 6
Correct answer: Present levels of performance, measurable annual goals, and services to be provided
IDEA requires IEPs to document the child's present levels, annual goals, and specific services, among other required components.
Question 4: Which practice BEST supports dual language learners (DLLs) in an early childhood classroom?
- Instructing children exclusively in English to accelerate acquisition
- Discouraging use of home language to prevent confusion
- Valuing and incorporating children's home languages while scaffolding English (Correct answer)
- Separating DLL children from native English speakers for all activities
Correct answer: Valuing and incorporating children's home languages while scaffolding English
Research shows that supporting the home language strengthens both the first language and English acquisition, and affirms children's cultural identities.
Question 5: The concept of 'least restrictive environment' (LRE) means that children with disabilities should:
- Always be placed in a general education classroom regardless of needs
- Be educated alongside peers without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate (Correct answer)
- Receive all services in a separate special education classroom
- Be integrated only for non-academic activities like recess
Correct answer: Be educated alongside peers without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate
LRE requires placement with peers without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate, with supplementary aids and services to support success.
Question 6: Anti-bias education in early childhood classrooms is BEST described as:
- Avoiding all discussions of race, gender, and ability to remain neutral
- Actively challenging prejudice and promoting equity, fairness, and respect for diversity (Correct answer)
- Teaching children that all people are exactly the same
- Restricting curriculum to content familiar to the dominant cultural group
Correct answer: Actively challenging prejudice and promoting equity, fairness, and respect for diversity
Anti-bias education, as defined by Derman-Sparks, actively addresses prejudice and promotes critical thinking about fairness and diversity.
OAE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusive Education 1
The term 'culturally responsive teaching' in early childhood education primarily means: