CPS CPS Cultural Competency & Diversity in Education 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Disproportionality in special education refers to:
- Equal representation of all student groups in gifted programs
- Overrepresentation or underrepresentation of specific racial or ethnic groups in special education categories (Correct answer)
- The ratio of teachers to students in resource rooms
- Differences in standardized test scores between grade levels
Correct answer: Overrepresentation or underrepresentation of specific racial or ethnic groups in special education categories
Disproportionality refers to when certain racial, ethnic, or cultural groups are identified for special education at rates significantly higher or lower than their proportion in the general population.
Question 2: Which federal law prohibits discrimination against students based on national origin in schools receiving federal funding?
- IDEA 2004
- Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
- Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Correct answer)
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
Correct answer: Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, and national origin in programs receiving federal financial assistance, including schools.
Question 3: Cultural responsiveness in psycho-educational assessment requires the specialist to:
- Use the same standardized norms for all students regardless of background
- Consider a student's cultural and linguistic background when selecting, administering, and interpreting assessments (Correct answer)
- Only assess students in English to ensure comparability
- Avoid any modifications to standardized procedures
Correct answer: Consider a student's cultural and linguistic background when selecting, administering, and interpreting assessments
Culturally responsive assessment involves selecting appropriate tools, considering linguistic factors, and interpreting results within the context of the student's cultural background.
Question 4: What does the term 'ELL' stand for in U.S. educational contexts?
- Educated Learning Level
- English Language Learner (Correct answer)
- Early Literacy Learner
- Enhanced Learning Level
Correct answer: English Language Learner
ELL stands for English Language Learner, referring to students whose primary language is not English and who are developing English proficiency.
Question 5: Stereotype threat, as it applies to educational assessment, refers to:
- A teacher's tendency to grade minority students more harshly
- The risk that a student will confirm a negative stereotype about their group, impairing performance (Correct answer)
- The use of biased test items that favor dominant cultural groups
- A student's refusal to participate in standardized testing
Correct answer: The risk that a student will confirm a negative stereotype about their group, impairing performance
Stereotype threat occurs when a student's awareness of a negative stereotype about their group creates anxiety that interferes with their test performance.
Question 6: Culturally responsive teaching requires educators to:
- Ignore cultural differences to treat all students equally
- Incorporate students' cultural backgrounds, values, and experiences into instruction (Correct answer)
- Focus exclusively on mainstream curriculum without adaptation
- Separate ELL students from mainstream classrooms at all times
Correct answer: Incorporate students' cultural backgrounds, values, and experiences into instruction
Culturally responsive teaching leverages students' cultural assets as strengths and integrates culturally relevant content and pedagogy into instruction.
CPS CPS Cultural Competency & Diversity in Education 1
Disproportionality in special education refers to: