PPR Knowledge 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Differentiated instruction primarily requires teachers to adjust which of the following based on student readiness, interest, or learning profile?
- The curriculum standards being taught
- Content, process, product, or learning environment (Correct answer)
- The grading scale used to evaluate students
- State testing schedules
Correct answer: Content, process, product, or learning environment
Differentiation modifies how content is delivered, how students process ideas, how they demonstrate learning, or the physical/affective environment—not the standards themselves.
Question 2: Under IDEA, which document outlines the specific educational goals, services, and accommodations for a student with a disability?
- 504 Plan
- English Language Proficiency Assessment
- Individualized Education Program (IEP) (Correct answer)
- Response to Intervention (RTI) log
Correct answer: Individualized Education Program (IEP)
An IEP is a legally binding document developed by a team that specifies measurable annual goals and special education services for eligible students under IDEA.
Question 3: A student with a 504 Plan is entitled to:
- Specialized instruction in a separate classroom setting
- Reasonable accommodations that provide equal access to the general education curriculum (Correct answer)
- A modified curriculum with reduced academic standards
- Annual IEP meetings with the special education team
Correct answer: Reasonable accommodations that provide equal access to the general education curriculum
Section 504 requires accommodations that level the playing field for students with disabilities, but does not require modified standards or specialized instruction.
Question 4: In the Response to Intervention (RTI) framework, Tier 2 interventions are BEST described as:
- High-quality core instruction provided to all students
- Intensive, individualized supports for students with significant learning disabilities
- Targeted small-group instruction for students who did not respond to Tier 1 (Correct answer)
- Referral to a special education eligibility evaluation
Correct answer: Targeted small-group instruction for students who did not respond to Tier 1
Tier 2 provides supplemental, small-group intervention for the 10–15% of students who need more support than universal instruction provides.
Question 5: A teacher designs a lesson with multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement. This reflects which framework?
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) (Correct answer)
- Direct Instruction (DI)
- Understanding by Design (UbD)
- Socratic Seminar
Correct answer: Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
UDL's three principles—multiple means of representation, action/expression, and engagement—guide proactive lesson design to reduce barriers for all learners.
Question 6: When planning curriculum using the Understanding by Design (UbD) 'backward design' model, the teacher should FIRST identify:
- Engaging instructional activities and materials
- Daily lesson objectives aligned to the textbook chapters
- Desired learning outcomes and what evidence will demonstrate understanding (Correct answer)
- The sequence of direct instruction and practice tasks
Correct answer: Desired learning outcomes and what evidence will demonstrate understanding
Backward design begins with the end in mind—clarifying goals and assessment evidence before selecting instructional activities.
Question 7: Which strategy BEST supports English Language Learners (ELLs) in accessing grade-level content?
- Simplifying all written texts to a first-grade reading level
- Providing comprehensible input through visuals, context clues, and scaffolded tasks (Correct answer)
- Placing ELLs in a separate class until they reach grade-level English proficiency
- Avoiding academic vocabulary so students are not overwhelmed
Correct answer: Providing comprehensible input through visuals, context clues, and scaffolded tasks
Comprehensible input (Krashen's i+1) combined with scaffolds allows ELLs to engage with rigorous content while developing language simultaneously.
PPR Knowledge 3
Differentiated instruction primarily requires teachers to adjust which of the following based on student readiness, interest, or learning profile?