Free TExES 161 Assessment and Program Planning Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A middle school student is preparing to transition from a self-contained special education classroom to a general education classroom. This transition should be made:
- With proper preparation. A student this age needs to acclimate socially and can best do so with the same group of students in every class.
- At the beginning of the next school year so the student doesn't have a stigma when joining the new group.
- One class at a time with the special education teacher supervising academic and social progress. (Correct answer)
- By transitioning into classes he is most interested in because he is most likely to succeed with subjects he cares about. The confidence he gains from academic success will support him as he transitions into classes he's less interested in.
Correct answer: One class at a time with the special education teacher supervising academic and social progress.
Transitioning a student from a self-contained to a general education classroom should be a gradual and supported process. Introducing one class at a time allows the student to adjust academically and socially without feeling overwhelmed. The special education teacher's supervision ensures continuous monitoring and intervention, facilitating a smoother and more successful integration into the new environment.
Question 2: Strategies to increase reading fluency for English Language Learners include:
- Tape-assisted reading.
- Reading aloud while students follow along in their books.
- Asking parents to read with the child each evening.
- A and B (Correct answer)
Correct answer: A and B
Tape-assisted reading and reading aloud while students follow along are effective strategies for increasing reading fluency in English Language Learners. These methods provide models of fluent reading, allowing students to hear correct pronunciation, intonation, and pacing. This auditory and visual support helps ELLs develop automaticity and confidence in their reading, reducing cognitive load and improving comprehension.
Question 3: The teacher knows there are several ways to arrive at the correct answer. She also knows if she explains them to the student, he will not only be able to understand where he made errors, but he might also see the relationships between various methods of solving applied math problems. The teacher should show the student how to:
- Estimate the answer; convert all of the numbers to minutes and divide the answer by 60 to determine the number of hours and minutes; determine the percentage of an hour 45 minutes is, and write that number as .75; create a graph. (Correct answer)
- Estimate the answer; add the relevant numbers by removing the decimal points, then insert a decimal point in the answer; use a calculator to avoid problems in addition.
- Estimate the answer; remove all decimal points; add all of the numbers; divide by 60 using a calculator; make a graph;
- Estimate; create a graph; use a digital clock; add the relevant numbers together by removing the decimal points, then insert a decimal point in the answer.
Correct answer: Estimate the answer; convert all of the numbers to minutes and divide the answer by 60 to determine the number of hours and minutes; determine the percentage of an hour 45 minutes is, and write that number as .75; create a graph.
Presenting multiple strategies for solving a math problem, such as estimating, converting units, using decimals for fractions of an hour, and graphing, helps students develop a deeper conceptual understanding. This approach allows students to see the interconnectedness of different mathematical concepts and methods. It also provides various pathways to check their work and identify errors, fostering problem-solving flexibility and critical thinking.
Question 4: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that addresses student rights regarding their records. Among the rights the law protects are the right to:
- Obtain requested records within 45 days; request amendment of inaccurate information or information that violates the student's privacy; be notified before personal information is shared with third parties; file a complaint with the U.S. Dept. of Education should the school fail to fulfill these requests. (Correct answer)
- Obtain records within 45 days and make amendments at the request of parents only.
- Obtain records within 45 days and make amendments at the request of both parents and student. Neither parent(s) nor students can obtain or amend documents alone.
- Be notified of all requests for personal information by third parties.
Correct answer: Obtain requested records within 45 days; request amendment of inaccurate information or information that violates the student's privacy; be notified before personal information is shared with third parties; file a complaint with the U.S. Dept. of Education should the school fail to fulfill these requests.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) grants parents and eligible students specific rights regarding educational records. These rights include the ability to inspect and review records within 45 days and request amendments for inaccurate or privacy-violating information. FERPA also ensures notification before personal information is shared with third parties and provides a mechanism to file complaints if these rights are violated, safeguarding student privacy and access to information.
Question 5: At the beginning of each month, a student reads a page or two from a book he hasn't seen before. The resource teacher notes the total number of words in the section and the number of times the student leaves out or misreads a word. If the student reads with more than a 10% error rate, he is:
- Reading with full comprehension.
- Probably bored and his attention is wandering.
- Reading at a frustration level. (Correct answer)
- Missing contextual clues.
Correct answer: Reading at a frustration level.
A student reading with more than a 10% error rate is typically considered to be reading at a frustration level. At this level, the text is too difficult, leading to poor comprehension and a lack of fluency. This indicates that the material is beyond the student's current independent reading capabilities and requires significant instructional support.
A middle school student is preparing to transition from a self-contained special education classroom to a general education classroom.
This transition should be made: