SRO Special Education & Student Rights 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'least restrictive environment' (LRE) under IDEA?
- The safest physical location in a school building
- The requirement that students with disabilities be educated alongside non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate (Correct answer)
- A mandate that no student with a disability can be placed in a self-contained classroom
- The policy that special education classrooms must have the fewest possible rules
Correct answer: The requirement that students with disabilities be educated alongside non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate
LRE requires that students with disabilities be educated with non-disabled students to the maximum extent appropriate, with supplementary aids and services.
Question 2: A student with an IEP is involved in a fight and an SRO is called. What should the SRO consider before taking enforcement action?
- The student's disability status is irrelevant to law enforcement decisions
- Whether the student's disability may have contributed to the behavior and coordinate with special education staff (Correct answer)
- Immediately arrest both students involved to treat them equally
- Allow the school to handle it entirely and take no action
Correct answer: Whether the student's disability may have contributed to the behavior and coordinate with special education staff
SROs should be aware of a student's IEP and consider whether the disability contributed to the behavior, coordinating with special education staff before taking enforcement action.
Question 3: Under what circumstances can a school conduct a functional behavioral assessment (FBA) for a student with a disability?
- Only when the student's parents request one
- When the student's behavior impedes their learning or that of others, or before certain disciplinary changes (Correct answer)
- Only after the student has been arrested by an SRO
- FBAs are not required under IDEA
Correct answer: When the student's behavior impedes their learning or that of others, or before certain disciplinary changes
An FBA is conducted when a student's behavior interferes with learning, and is also required before implementing a behavior intervention plan or certain disciplinary placements.
Question 4: What does 'prior written notice' mean in the context of special education?
- The school must notify parents in advance before conducting any standardized testing
- The school must provide written notice to parents before proposing or refusing to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, or placement of a child with a disability (Correct answer)
- Parents must give the school prior written notice before withdrawing their child from special education
- SROs must document any interaction with a special education student 24 hours in advance
Correct answer: The school must provide written notice to parents before proposing or refusing to initiate or change the identification, evaluation, or placement of a child with a disability
Prior written notice requires schools to notify parents in writing before proposing or refusing any action related to the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of a student with a disability.
Question 5: Which scenario best illustrates a Section 504 accommodation (not an IEP)?
- A student with dyslexia receiving specialized reading instruction from a special education teacher
- A student with ADHD receiving extended time on tests and preferential seating in general education (Correct answer)
- A student with a hearing impairment placed in a self-contained classroom
- A student with autism receiving speech and language therapy
Correct answer: A student with ADHD receiving extended time on tests and preferential seating in general education
Section 504 plans provide accommodations within general education settings, such as extended time and seating changes for a student with ADHD.
Question 6: An SRO needs to question a student with an intellectual disability about a suspected crime. What precaution is MOST important?
- Proceed with standard interrogation techniques since the law applies equally to all students
- Ensure the student's parents or a trusted adult are present and that the student genuinely understands their Miranda rights (Correct answer)
- Delay questioning until the student's special education teacher can join
- Read Miranda rights twice to ensure comprehension
Correct answer: Ensure the student's parents or a trusted adult are present and that the student genuinely understands their Miranda rights
Students with intellectual disabilities may not fully understand their Miranda rights, so SROs must ensure genuine comprehension and consider having a parent or trusted adult present.
Question 7: What is the purpose of a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) in a special education context?
- To document an SRO's actions when a student with a disability breaks the law
- To outline proactive strategies and consequences designed to address the function of a student's challenging behavior (Correct answer)
- To establish grounds for expelling a student with a disability
- To record all disciplinary infractions committed by a student with an IEP
Correct answer: To outline proactive strategies and consequences designed to address the function of a student's challenging behavior
A BIP uses strategies based on an FBA to address the underlying function of challenging behavior, providing proactive interventions and support.
SRO Special Education & Student Rights 3
What is 'least restrictive environment' (LRE) under IDEA?