TExES Special Education 161 |
1. A 3rd-grade student with a learning disability frequently forgets multistep directions. What is the
MOST effective accommodation?
A. Provide extended time on classwork
B. Repeat verbal instructions more loudly
C. Provide written and visual step-by-step directions ✔
D. Allow the student to work with a peer tutor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Students with working-memory deficits benefit from external supports such as visual, written,
and sequenced instructions. This reduces cognitive load and supports independence.
2. A student with ADHD disrupts instruction by calling out. Which intervention best supports positive
behavioral change?
A. Reduce classwork to avoid frustration
B. Implement a token reinforcement system ✔
C. Remove the student from class whenever disruptions occur
D. Increase homework to teach responsibility
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Token systems reinforce desired behaviors and are strongly supported by behavioral theory for
addressing impulsive behaviors.
3. A special education teacher wants to collect data on a student's frequency of tantrums. Which data-
collection method is MOST appropriate?
A. Time sampling
B. Latency recording
C. Frequency tally ✔
D. Duration recording
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Frequency recording counts how often a behavior occurs. Tantrum occurrence is the focus —
not length or onset time.
4. IDEA requires that students with disabilities be educated in the least restrictive environment
(LRE). Which placement BEST reflects LRE?
A. Full-time special education classroom for all subjects
B. Home-based instruction
C. General education classroom with supports ✔
D. Separate school program
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: LRE prioritizes education with nondisabled peers whenever appropriate with supports.
5. A 5th-grade student reads 2–3 years below grade level. Which evidence-based strategy supports
fluency?
A. Silent sustained reading
B. Round-robin reading
C. Repeated oral reading with feedback ✔
D. Spelling tests focused on decoding
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Repeated readings with corrective feedback significantly improve fluency and comprehension.
6. What is the primary purpose of an FBA (Functional Behavioral Assessment)?
A. Diagnose a behavioral disorder
B. Determine consequences for misbehavior
C. Identify the function of a problem behavior ✔
D. Place the student in behavior support programs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FBAs assess why a behavior occurs so that interventions can target the underlying function.
,7. A paraprofessional is working with a student who needs help with task initiation. What should the
teacher emphasize to the paraprofessional?
A. Completing all tasks for the student
B. Using prompts that fade over time ✔
C. Allowing the student unlimited breaks
D. Using physical prompting before verbal prompting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Prompt fading promotes independence, a central goal in special education support.
8. A student uses an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. The teacher should
FIRST ensure:
A. The device is locked to prevent changes
B. The vocabulary is meaningful and functional for the student ✔
C. The student uses the device only in special education settings
D. Only trained staff may touch the device
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Effective AAC requires functional, accessible vocabulary supporting authentic communication.
9. Which instructional practice aligns with UDL (Universal Design for Learning)?
A. Giving all students the same worksheet
B. Offering multiple means of representation ✔
C. Removing supports for struggling students
D. Requiring all students to give oral presentations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: UDL emphasizes multiple options for representation, engagement, and expression.
10. A middle-school student with autism becomes overwhelmed during transitions. What is the BEST
proactive support?
, A. Assign detention for noncompliance
B. Use a visual schedule and countdown warnings ✔
C. Remove all transitions from the schedule
D. Allow the student to transition only with an adult
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Visual schedules and pretransition cues reduce anxiety and improve predictability.
11. A parent disagrees with the IEP team’s proposed placement. Under IDEA, the parent has the right
to:
A. Change the placement independently
B. Request mediation or due process ✔
C. Remove the student from school
D. Demand the district assign a new case manager
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: IDEA procedural safeguards allow mediation, due process hearings, and impartial review.
12. A special education teacher wants to teach vocabulary using explicit instruction. Which step
should come FIRST?
A. Independent practice
B. Assessing mastery
C. Guided practice
D. Model and define the word ✔
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Explicit instruction begins with clear modeling and explanation before guided and independent
practice.
13. A 4th-grade student struggles with organization. Which tool BEST promotes executive
functioning?
1. A 3rd-grade student with a learning disability frequently forgets multistep directions. What is the
MOST effective accommodation?
A. Provide extended time on classwork
B. Repeat verbal instructions more loudly
C. Provide written and visual step-by-step directions ✔
D. Allow the student to work with a peer tutor
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Students with working-memory deficits benefit from external supports such as visual, written,
and sequenced instructions. This reduces cognitive load and supports independence.
2. A student with ADHD disrupts instruction by calling out. Which intervention best supports positive
behavioral change?
A. Reduce classwork to avoid frustration
B. Implement a token reinforcement system ✔
C. Remove the student from class whenever disruptions occur
D. Increase homework to teach responsibility
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Token systems reinforce desired behaviors and are strongly supported by behavioral theory for
addressing impulsive behaviors.
3. A special education teacher wants to collect data on a student's frequency of tantrums. Which data-
collection method is MOST appropriate?
A. Time sampling
B. Latency recording
C. Frequency tally ✔
D. Duration recording
,Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Frequency recording counts how often a behavior occurs. Tantrum occurrence is the focus —
not length or onset time.
4. IDEA requires that students with disabilities be educated in the least restrictive environment
(LRE). Which placement BEST reflects LRE?
A. Full-time special education classroom for all subjects
B. Home-based instruction
C. General education classroom with supports ✔
D. Separate school program
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: LRE prioritizes education with nondisabled peers whenever appropriate with supports.
5. A 5th-grade student reads 2–3 years below grade level. Which evidence-based strategy supports
fluency?
A. Silent sustained reading
B. Round-robin reading
C. Repeated oral reading with feedback ✔
D. Spelling tests focused on decoding
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Repeated readings with corrective feedback significantly improve fluency and comprehension.
6. What is the primary purpose of an FBA (Functional Behavioral Assessment)?
A. Diagnose a behavioral disorder
B. Determine consequences for misbehavior
C. Identify the function of a problem behavior ✔
D. Place the student in behavior support programs
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: FBAs assess why a behavior occurs so that interventions can target the underlying function.
,7. A paraprofessional is working with a student who needs help with task initiation. What should the
teacher emphasize to the paraprofessional?
A. Completing all tasks for the student
B. Using prompts that fade over time ✔
C. Allowing the student unlimited breaks
D. Using physical prompting before verbal prompting
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Prompt fading promotes independence, a central goal in special education support.
8. A student uses an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device. The teacher should
FIRST ensure:
A. The device is locked to prevent changes
B. The vocabulary is meaningful and functional for the student ✔
C. The student uses the device only in special education settings
D. Only trained staff may touch the device
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Effective AAC requires functional, accessible vocabulary supporting authentic communication.
9. Which instructional practice aligns with UDL (Universal Design for Learning)?
A. Giving all students the same worksheet
B. Offering multiple means of representation ✔
C. Removing supports for struggling students
D. Requiring all students to give oral presentations
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: UDL emphasizes multiple options for representation, engagement, and expression.
10. A middle-school student with autism becomes overwhelmed during transitions. What is the BEST
proactive support?
, A. Assign detention for noncompliance
B. Use a visual schedule and countdown warnings ✔
C. Remove all transitions from the schedule
D. Allow the student to transition only with an adult
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Visual schedules and pretransition cues reduce anxiety and improve predictability.
11. A parent disagrees with the IEP team’s proposed placement. Under IDEA, the parent has the right
to:
A. Change the placement independently
B. Request mediation or due process ✔
C. Remove the student from school
D. Demand the district assign a new case manager
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: IDEA procedural safeguards allow mediation, due process hearings, and impartial review.
12. A special education teacher wants to teach vocabulary using explicit instruction. Which step
should come FIRST?
A. Independent practice
B. Assessing mastery
C. Guided practice
D. Model and define the word ✔
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Explicit instruction begins with clear modeling and explanation before guided and independent
practice.
13. A 4th-grade student struggles with organization. Which tool BEST promotes executive
functioning?
