SPECIAL NEEDS PRETEST

1. Why are there services for children with special needs? A. Some school districts have the money to offer services for children with special needs. B. State of Pennsylvania requires all school districts to offer services for children with special needs. C. A federal law requires all school districts to offer services for children with special needs.

1. Answer - C Special education programs in the United States were made mandatory in 1975 when the United States Congress passed the Education for All Handicapped Children Act (EAHCA) in response to discriminatory treatment by public educational agencies against students with disabilities. The EAHCA was later modified to strengthen protections to students with disabilities and renamed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). IDEA requires states to provide special education and related services consistent with federal standards as a condition of receiving federal funds.

2. Who are eligible for special services? A. Students aged 5 – 18 B. Students and Youth aged 5 – 21 C. Children and Youth aged 3 – 21 D. Infants, Toddlers, Children and Youth aged birth - 21

2. Answer - D  Infants and Toddlers with disabilities or developmental delays who are defined as individuals under three years of age who need early intervention services.  Children Aged 3 through 9 receive special services for a disabilities or developmental delays.  Children and Youth Aged 3 through 21 receive services for disabilities listed in the federal law.

3. Who decides if a child is eligible for special services? A. Parent Request B. Pediatrician or Teacher Recommendation C. Full and individual evaluation by a professional.

3. Answer - C To find out if a child is eligible for services, he or she must first receive a full and individual initial evaluation by a professional with specializes in this area. This evaluation is free. Two purposes of the evaluation are: To see if the child has a disability, as defined by IDEA To learn in more detail what special education and related services he or she needs.

4. What is an Individualized Education Program (IEP)? A. A written plan that shows how to work with a special disability or delay. B. A written plan that outlines how to encourage development in a child who has special needs. C. A written plan that gives suggestions on how to encourage development in a child who has special needs.

4. Answer - B An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written plan that outlines how to encourage development in a child who has special needs. It is required by Public Law 94 – 142 or Education for All Handicapped Children Act (1975). This law was later revised and renamed Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or IDEA (1990). An IEP is created in a public school by a team made up of administrators, parents, teachers, and specialists who are familiar with the needs of the child.

5. What is Inclusion? A. Inclusion is grouping children who have the same disability or developmental delay together. B. Inclusion is teaching all children who have disabilities or developmental delays together in the same classroom or special school. C. Inclusion is combining children with average abilities and children with special needs in the same classroom when appropriate.

5. Answer - C Inclusion is combining children with average abilities and children with special needs in the same classroom when appropriate. Sometimes the word “mainstreaming” is used instead of “inclusion”, but the philosophy is the same.

6. Every child is special and unique. Should every child have an IEP? A. Yes, every child should have an IEP. B. No, only children who have special needs or developmental delays should have an IEP.  Be prepared to give a reason for your answer above.