SRO Special Education & Student Rights 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under IDEA, what does a 'manifestation determination review' determine?
- Whether a student's misconduct is caused by or substantially related to their disability (Correct answer)
- Whether a student qualifies for special education services
- Whether a student's IEP goals are appropriate
- Whether a student should be transferred to an alternative school
Correct answer: Whether a student's misconduct is caused by or substantially related to their disability
A manifestation determination review examines whether a student's behavior that led to a disciplinary action is caused by or substantially related to their disability.
Question 2: An SRO is called to assist with a student who has autism and is in sensory overload. What is the MOST appropriate initial response?
- Immediately restrain the student to prevent self-injury
- Reduce stimulation in the environment and speak calmly in a quiet voice (Correct answer)
- Call the student's parents and wait for them to arrive before intervening
- Issue a verbal command and wait for compliance before taking further action
Correct answer: Reduce stimulation in the environment and speak calmly in a quiet voice
Reducing environmental stimulation and using a calm, quiet voice helps de-escalate a student with autism experiencing sensory overload.
Question 3: Which federal law prohibits discrimination against students with disabilities in schools that receive federal funding?
- IDEA
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Correct answer)
- FERPA
- Title IX
Correct answer: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in programs receiving federal financial assistance.
Question 4: A student with a disability commits a serious weapons offense at school. What disciplinary action can the school take under IDEA?
- The student cannot be disciplined due to their disability
- The student can be removed to an alternative educational setting for up to 45 school days regardless of the manifestation determination (Correct answer)
- The student must be immediately expelled without further services
- The student can only be suspended for up to 3 days
Correct answer: The student can be removed to an alternative educational setting for up to 45 school days regardless of the manifestation determination
Under IDEA, students who bring weapons to school can be placed in an alternative educational setting for up to 45 school days, even if the behavior is a manifestation of their disability.
Question 5: What is the role of an SRO when a student with an emotional disturbance is having a behavioral crisis in class?
- Take over classroom management and issue citations as necessary
- Immediately physically remove the student from the classroom
- Collaborate with school staff and use de-escalation techniques consistent with the student's behavior intervention plan (Correct answer)
- Arrest the student to prevent further disruption
Correct answer: Collaborate with school staff and use de-escalation techniques consistent with the student's behavior intervention plan
SROs should work collaboratively with school staff and follow the student's behavior intervention plan, using de-escalation techniques during a crisis.
Question 6: A parent of a student with a disability requests a copy of their child's IEP. Which law governs this right?
- IDEA and FERPA together protect parental access to educational records including the IEP (Correct answer)
- Only IDEA grants this right, FERPA does not apply
- Only FERPA grants this right, IDEA does not apply
- Parents have no automatic right to IEP records without a court order
Correct answer: IDEA and FERPA together protect parental access to educational records including the IEP
Both IDEA and FERPA protect parents' rights to access their child's educational records, including the IEP.
Question 7: Which of the following is NOT a category of disability recognized under IDEA?
- Autism
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (as a standalone category) (Correct answer)
- Orthopedic Impairment
Correct answer: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (as a standalone category)
ADHD is not a standalone eligibility category under IDEA; it may qualify students under 'Other Health Impairment' or another applicable category.
SRO Special Education & Student Rights 2
Under IDEA, what does a 'manifestation determination review' determine?