PECT Disability Categories and Eligibility

Question 1

Under IDEA, how many disability categories qualify a student for special education services?

Accepted Answer

13 categories

Answer

IDEA identifies 13 disability categories: autism, deaf-blindness, deafness, emotional disturbance, hearing impairment, intellectual disability, multiple disabilities, orthopedic impairment, other health impairment, specific learning disability, speech or language impairment, traumatic brain injury, and visual impairment.

Question 2

What is the difference between an IEP and a 504 Plan?

Accepted Answer

An IEP provides specialized instruction under IDEA; a 504 Plan provides accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act

Answer

An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is a detailed plan providing specialized instruction and related services under IDEA, while a 504 Plan provides accommodations to ensure equal access under Section 504, without necessarily requiring specialized instruction.

Question 3

What is Response to Intervention (RTI) and how does it relate to special education identification?

Accepted Answer

A multi-tiered approach providing increasing levels of support before considering special education referral

Answer

RTI uses three tiers of increasingly intensive instruction and intervention to identify students who may have learning disabilities, documenting their response to evidence-based instruction before formal special education referral.

Question 4

What role does a multidisciplinary team play in the special education evaluation process?

Accepted Answer

Conducting comprehensive assessments across multiple domains to determine eligibility and educational needs

Answer

A multidisciplinary team includes professionals from various disciplines (psychologists, special educators, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists) who assess the child across all areas of suspected disability.

Question 5

What is the concept of 'least restrictive environment' (LRE) in special education?

Accepted Answer

Students with disabilities should be educated with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate

Answer

LRE is a core IDEA principle requiring that students with disabilities be educated alongside their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate, with removal from general education only when supplementary aids and services cannot achieve satisfactory education.

(PECT) Special Education PreK-8 Exam Practice Test

(PECT) Special Education PreK-8 Exam Practice Test

PECT Disability Categories and Eligibility