Information Avenue Archives

Special Education Quiz

With the new school year right around the corner, we are providing a little quiz to help you remember your child’s educational rights. You may find that it is easier to take if you print the document by selecting the "print" option on your browser.

1. The term "free appropriate public education" in the IDEA means that a child with disabilities is entitled to receive a free education in a public school, but does not apply to receiving related services. True or False?

2. Parental consent is required for initial special education evaluations, but is not necessary for reevaluations. True or False?

3. If a parent suspects that their child has a disability and requests the school to perform an evaluation, the school may refuse if they feel the child does not have a disability. True or False?

4. If it has been determined that a child does not meet the requirements for special education, then he or she may be eligible for other special services or another program. True or False?

5. A child must be reevaluated every three years to either determine eligibility of services or, if eligibility is not of concern, to collect information as to how to best teach the child. True or False?

6. Schools are only required to report student progress to parents of children with disabilities once a year. True or False?

7. Transition services (transition from school to adult world) are added to a student’s IEP when he or she reaches 18 years of age. True or False?

8. Records kept by the school regarding a student’s education are confidential and do not have to be disclosed to the parent unless he or she has filed a due process complaint. True or False?

9. Parents have the right to challenge or appeal decisions related to the identification, evaluation, or placement of their child. True or False?

10. Parents can bring whoever they want to an IEP meeting. True or False?

11. If a student needs a particular service that is not directly available through the school, the student will need to be placed in a different school. True or False?

12. If a school district does not have the specific piece of equipment to implement a student’s IEP, then they are required to purchase it (or make other arrangements to acquire it). True or False?

13. Recreation is considered a related service. True or False?

14. Physical education (PE) does not have to be provided by the school if the student cannot participate with nondisabled students. True or False?

15. It is permissible to have the school prepare the IEP prior to the IEP meeting to save time. True or False?

 

Answers:

1. False. A child receiving special education services is entitled to receive a free education as well as any related services that are beneficial to the child’s education.

2. False. Parental consent is now required for reevaluations as well as initial evaluations.

3. True. The school may refuse an evaluation but they must inform the parents of their decision in writing. Of course, the parent may request mediation or a due process hearing.

4. True. For children who have learning problems (often found in children with ADD, dyslexia, or hyperactivity), there is a federal anti-discrimination law, known as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, that allows children to receive services to accommodate the child’s condition.

5. True. However, the parents may request that evaluations take place more frequently.

6. False. Schools must report student progress to parents of children with disabilities at least as often as they report to parents of children without disabilities.

7. False. Transition services must be included in the IEP when the student reaches 16 years of age, however, a statement of transition services must be included in the student’s IEP at age 14 years.

8. False. Parents have the right to inspect and review all education records relating to their child that the public agency collects, maintains, or uses.

9. True. Parents can appeal all decisions made in relation to their child’s education. However, parents must now be solicited for information during the evaluation process, included in the eligibility discussion and decision, and included in the discussion for placement.

10. True. Parents can bring an advocate, friend, attorney, or caseworker. However, it would be appropriate to let the school know ahead of time who is planning to attend.

11. False. If the school doesn’t have the services available, they must contract with an agency to make them available to the student.

12. True. Districts must provide all needed equipment to implement a child’s IEP, including assistive technology devices.

13. True. Recreation is considered a related service because all children, with or without disabilities, need to learn how to use their leisure and recreation time constructively.

14. False. Physical education services, specifically designed if necessary, must be made available to all children receiving a free and appropriate public education.

15. False. The IDEA states that the IEP is a written statement developed in a meeting with the agency representative, the teacher, the parent, and if appropriate, the child.

If you need more information on any of the issues discussed above, please visit the IDEA ‘97 web site at http://www.ed.gov/offices/OSERS/IDEA/the_law.html.

 

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