OSAT OSAT Mild-Moderate Disabilities 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A special education teacher is writing measurable annual IEP goals. Which goal is written MOST appropriately?
- Student will improve reading skills during the school year
- Given a 5th-grade passage, student will read 120 words per minute with 95% accuracy by June as measured by CBM probes (Correct answer)
- Student will try harder in reading class each day
- Student will understand phonics concepts by the end of the year
Correct answer: Given a 5th-grade passage, student will read 120 words per minute with 95% accuracy by June as measured by CBM probes
A measurable IEP goal includes the condition, observable behavior, criteria for mastery, and a timeline — all present in option B.
Question 2: A student with emotional/behavioral disorder engages in frequent off-task behavior that disrupts the class. The FIRST step in a functional behavior assessment (FBA) is to:
- Implement a behavior intervention plan immediately
- Identify and operationally define the target behavior (Correct answer)
- Remove the student from the general education classroom
- Administer a standardized behavior rating scale
Correct answer: Identify and operationally define the target behavior
An FBA begins with clearly and operationally defining the target behavior so it can be observed, measured, and analyzed consistently.
Question 3: Which disability category is characterized by significant discrepancy between intellectual ability and academic achievement that is NOT due to environmental, cultural, or instructional factors?
- Mild intellectual disability
- Learning disability (Correct answer)
- Emotional or behavioral disorder
- Other health impairment
Correct answer: Learning disability
A specific learning disability is defined by an unexpected gap between intellectual potential and academic performance that cannot be explained by external factors.
Question 4: A teacher is preparing a student with mild disabilities for a statewide assessment. Which accommodation is typically permitted under standard testing guidelines?
- Having someone else answer selected items for the student
- Extended time and small group testing environment (Correct answer)
- Simplifying or rewording test questions
- Providing answers to review beforehand
Correct answer: Extended time and small group testing environment
Extended time and small group settings are standard accommodations that reduce barriers without altering the construct being measured by the assessment.
Question 5: A teacher uses explicit instruction for students with learning disabilities. Which sequence BEST reflects explicit instruction?
- Independent practice → guided practice → direct explanation
- Discovery learning → peer discussion → teacher summary
- Direct explanation with modeling → guided practice with feedback → independent practice (Correct answer)
- Assessment → reteaching → self-directed learning
Correct answer: Direct explanation with modeling → guided practice with feedback → independent practice
Explicit instruction follows a gradual release sequence: the teacher models (I do), guides practice with feedback (we do), then students practice independently (you do).
Question 6: When a parent disagrees with the school's proposed IEP placement, IDEA grants the parent the right to:
- Accept the placement or withdraw the child from school
- Request mediation or a due process hearing to resolve the dispute (Correct answer)
- Directly override the IEP team's decision without formal process
- File a complaint only with the state board of education
Correct answer: Request mediation or a due process hearing to resolve the dispute
IDEA's procedural safeguards include the right to mediation and due process hearings to resolve disagreements between parents and schools about IEP decisions.
Question 7: A student with a mild disability benefits from self-monitoring strategies. Which self-monitoring technique is MOST effective for improving on-task behavior?
- Teacher-delivered verbal reminders every five minutes
- Student uses a timer and tally sheet to record whether they were on-task at each interval (Correct answer)
- Peer observation with a daily behavior report card
- Removal of preferred activities when off-task behavior occurs
Correct answer: Student uses a timer and tally sheet to record whether they were on-task at each interval
Self-monitoring with a timer and recording system develops metacognitive awareness and personal accountability, which research shows effectively increases on-task behavior.
OSAT OSAT Mild-Moderate Disabilities 4
A special education teacher is writing measurable annual IEP goals.
Which goal is written MOST appropriately?