Introduction to Special Education and
Exceptional Children Exam, 2026/2027-
Foundations of Inclusive Education and the
Exceptional Learner COMPETECY
ASSESSMET
SECTION 1: LEGAL FOUNDATIONS AND THE
INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT
(IDEA) (Questions 1-12)
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA)?
A. To provide medical care for children with disabilities
B. To ensure that all children with disabilities have access to a free
appropriate public education (FAPE)
C. To guarantee that students with disabilities are placed in separate special
education classrooms
D. To eliminate all special education services
Correct Answer: B. To ensure that all children with disabilities have access to
a free appropriate public education (FAPE)
Rationale: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was enacted
to ensure that all children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public
education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) . It mandates
special education services and related services for eligible students.
Subtopic: IDEA – Purpose
,Question 2
Under IDEA, the education of students with disabilities must be provided in
which setting?
A. In a separate special education classroom
B. In the least restrictive environment (LRE) appropriate for the student
C. In a residential treatment facility
D. Exclusively in a general education classroom
Correct Answer: B. In the least restrictive environment (LRE) appropriate for
the student
Rationale: IDEA mandates that students with disabilities must be educated
in the least restrictive environment (LRE) . This means that to the maximum
extent appropriate, students with disabilities should be educated with
non-disabled peers. Removal to more restrictive settings only occurs when
the nature or severity of the disability prevents satisfactory education in the
general education environment.
Subtopic: Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
Question 3
According to IDEA, what is the maximum age for which a state must provide
special education services?
A. Age 18
B. Age 21
C. Age 22
D. Age 26
Correct Answer: B. Age 21
Rationale: Under IDEA, states must provide special education services to
eligible children from birth through age 21 . Services for children from birth
to age 2 are provided through Early Intervention programs (Part C), and
services for children ages 3 to 21 are provided through school-based
programs (Part B).
Subtopic: IDEA – Age Range
, Question 4
A student whose educational performance is adversely affected by an
inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health
factors may be eligible for special education under which disability category?
A. Intellectual Disability
B. Emotional Disturbance
C. Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
D. Other Health Impairment (OHI)
Correct Answer: C. Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
Rationale: A Specific Learning Disability (SLD) is defined as a disorder in one
or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or
using language, spoken or written, that may manifest in an imperfect ability
to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations .
The definition explicitly requires that the learning problem is not primarily
the result of other disabilities.
Subtopic: IDEA Disability Categories – SLD
Question 5
Under IDEA, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) must be reviewed and
revised at least how often?
A. Every 6 months
B. Annually
C. Every 2 years
D. Every 3 years
Correct Answer: B. Annually
Rationale: IDEA requires that an IEP must be reviewed and revised at least
once a year . However, a full reevaluation of the student's eligibility must
occur at least every 3 years (triennial review).
Subtopic: IEP – Annual Review
Exceptional Children Exam, 2026/2027-
Foundations of Inclusive Education and the
Exceptional Learner COMPETECY
ASSESSMET
SECTION 1: LEGAL FOUNDATIONS AND THE
INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT
(IDEA) (Questions 1-12)
Question 1
What is the primary purpose of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA)?
A. To provide medical care for children with disabilities
B. To ensure that all children with disabilities have access to a free
appropriate public education (FAPE)
C. To guarantee that students with disabilities are placed in separate special
education classrooms
D. To eliminate all special education services
Correct Answer: B. To ensure that all children with disabilities have access to
a free appropriate public education (FAPE)
Rationale: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was enacted
to ensure that all children with disabilities receive a free appropriate public
education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) . It mandates
special education services and related services for eligible students.
Subtopic: IDEA – Purpose
,Question 2
Under IDEA, the education of students with disabilities must be provided in
which setting?
A. In a separate special education classroom
B. In the least restrictive environment (LRE) appropriate for the student
C. In a residential treatment facility
D. Exclusively in a general education classroom
Correct Answer: B. In the least restrictive environment (LRE) appropriate for
the student
Rationale: IDEA mandates that students with disabilities must be educated
in the least restrictive environment (LRE) . This means that to the maximum
extent appropriate, students with disabilities should be educated with
non-disabled peers. Removal to more restrictive settings only occurs when
the nature or severity of the disability prevents satisfactory education in the
general education environment.
Subtopic: Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
Question 3
According to IDEA, what is the maximum age for which a state must provide
special education services?
A. Age 18
B. Age 21
C. Age 22
D. Age 26
Correct Answer: B. Age 21
Rationale: Under IDEA, states must provide special education services to
eligible children from birth through age 21 . Services for children from birth
to age 2 are provided through Early Intervention programs (Part C), and
services for children ages 3 to 21 are provided through school-based
programs (Part B).
Subtopic: IDEA – Age Range
, Question 4
A student whose educational performance is adversely affected by an
inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health
factors may be eligible for special education under which disability category?
A. Intellectual Disability
B. Emotional Disturbance
C. Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
D. Other Health Impairment (OHI)
Correct Answer: C. Specific Learning Disability (SLD)
Rationale: A Specific Learning Disability (SLD) is defined as a disorder in one
or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or
using language, spoken or written, that may manifest in an imperfect ability
to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or do mathematical calculations .
The definition explicitly requires that the learning problem is not primarily
the result of other disabilities.
Subtopic: IDEA Disability Categories – SLD
Question 5
Under IDEA, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) must be reviewed and
revised at least how often?
A. Every 6 months
B. Annually
C. Every 2 years
D. Every 3 years
Correct Answer: B. Annually
Rationale: IDEA requires that an IEP must be reviewed and revised at least
once a year . However, a full reevaluation of the student's eligibility must
occur at least every 3 years (triennial review).
Subtopic: IEP – Annual Review
