PPR Legal and Ethical Requirements for Texas Educators 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which group of professionals is REQUIRED to be part of an IEP team in Texas under IDEA?
- The student's parents, at least one general education teacher, at least one special education teacher, and a LEA representative (Correct answer)
- The campus principal, the district superintendent, and the student's primary therapist
- Only certified special education teachers and the student's parents
- The student's parents, the special education director, and the school psychologist
Correct answer: The student's parents, at least one general education teacher, at least one special education teacher, and a LEA representative
IDEA mandates that an IEP team include the parents, at least one general education teacher, at least one special education teacher, and a Local Education Agency representative qualified to commit district resources.
Question 2: A student with a physical disability does not qualify for special education services under IDEA but needs accommodations. The most appropriate legal framework for providing support is:
- Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (Correct answer)
- The Americans with Disabilities Act Title II only
- The Texas Education Code Chapter 28 on curriculum
Correct answer: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 504 provides accommodations and modifications for students with disabilities that substantially limit a major life activity, even when the student doesn't qualify for IDEA special education services.
Question 3: The concept of 'Least Restrictive Environment' (LRE) under IDEA requires Texas schools to:
- Educate students with disabilities in self-contained classrooms to minimize distractions
- Place students with disabilities in general education settings to the maximum extent appropriate (Correct answer)
- Ensure all students with IEPs spend at least 50% of the school day in resource rooms
- Assign students with disabilities to separate campuses specializing in their specific needs
Correct answer: Place students with disabilities in general education settings to the maximum extent appropriate
LRE requires that students with disabilities be educated alongside non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate, with supplementary aids and services provided to support inclusion.
Question 4: Under Texas law, the ARD (Admission, Review, and Dismissal) committee is convened to:
- Evaluate students for gifted and talented programs
- Make decisions about special education eligibility, placement, and IEP development (Correct answer)
- Review discipline records and determine alternative placement for disruptive students
- Approve requests for dual-enrollment in community college courses
Correct answer: Make decisions about special education eligibility, placement, and IEP development
In Texas, the ARD committee is the equivalent of the IEP team and is responsible for determining special education eligibility, developing the IEP, and deciding on appropriate educational placement.
Question 5: A parent disagrees with the IEP recommendations made at an ARD meeting. Under IDEA, the parent's most immediate option is to:
- File a complaint with the Texas Education Agency before any other action
- Request a due process hearing or attempt mediation to resolve the disagreement (Correct answer)
- Pull the student from special education services while the dispute is pending
- Wait until the next annual ARD review to raise concerns
Correct answer: Request a due process hearing or attempt mediation to resolve the disagreement
IDEA provides parents with procedural safeguards including the right to request mediation or a due process hearing when they disagree with special education decisions.
Question 6: Prior Written Notice (PWN) under IDEA must be provided to parents when a school proposes or refuses to:
- Schedule a parent–teacher conference or change a student's elective courses
- Initiate or change the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of a student with a disability (Correct answer)
- Assign homework accommodations or modify classroom seating arrangements
- Appoint a new case manager or change the student's bus route
Correct answer: Initiate or change the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of a student with a disability
PWN is a required written document that must be given to parents whenever the school proposes or refuses to take action related to a student's special education identification, evaluation, or placement.
Question 7: A Texas school district denies special education services to an eligible student with a disability because funding is limited. This action violates which federal law?
- The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
- IDEA's guarantee of a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) (Correct answer)
- Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
- The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Correct answer: IDEA's guarantee of a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
IDEA guarantees FAPE to all eligible students with disabilities regardless of cost or funding constraints; a district cannot deny services due to budget limitations.
PPR Legal and Ethical Requirements for Texas Educators 3
Which group of professionals is REQUIRED to be part of an IEP team in Texas under IDEA?