MTEL MTEL Special Education and Endorsement Tests 3 â Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student with a learning disability struggles with written expression but excels verbally. Which accommodation BEST addresses this discrepancy during assessments?
- Extended time on all written tests
- Oral response as an alternative to written answers (Correct answer)
- A reduced number of essay questions
- Assignment of a scribe for all coursework
Correct answer: Oral response as an alternative to written answers
Allowing oral responses directly addresses the student's barrierâwritten expressionâwhile still assessing the target knowledge.
Question 2: Under Massachusetts 603 CMR 28.00, how many school days does a district have to evaluate a student after receiving parental consent?
- 30 school days
- 45 school days (Correct answer)
- 60 calendar days
- 90 calendar days
Correct answer: 45 school days
Massachusetts regulations require the district to complete the evaluation within 45 school days of receiving parental consent.
Question 3: Which transition planning requirement applies to IEPs for students with disabilities who are 16 years old in Massachusetts?
- A vocational assessment must be completed by a career counselor only
- Measurable postsecondary goals and transition services must be included in the IEP (Correct answer)
- The student may not participate in transition planning meetings
- Transition planning begins only after the student requests it
Correct answer: Measurable postsecondary goals and transition services must be included in the IEP
By age 16 (or earlier if appropriate), IDEA requires IEPs to include measurable postsecondary goals and coordinated transition services.
Question 4: A teacher uses a 'think-aloud' strategy while solving math problems with students who have learning disabilities. This is an example of which instructional approach?
- Peer-mediated instruction
- Explicit/direct instruction with modeling (Correct answer)
- Inquiry-based learning
- Differentiated assessment
Correct answer: Explicit/direct instruction with modeling
Think-alouds are a core component of explicit instruction, making invisible cognitive processes visible through teacher modeling.
Question 5: A student classified with emotional disturbance exhibits frequent outbursts in class. The FIRST step in developing a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) is to:
- Implement a token economy system immediately
- Complete a Functional Behavior Assessment to identify the behavior's purpose (Correct answer)
- Remove the student from the classroom during outbursts
- Consult with the school psychologist to change the student's placement
Correct answer: Complete a Functional Behavior Assessment to identify the behavior's purpose
A BIP must be based on an FBA, which identifies the function of the behavior before any interventions are selected.
Question 6: Which of the following BEST describes the role of the special education teacher during a co-teaching lesson using the 'station teaching' model?
- Observing the general educator and taking notes for the IEP
- Circulating the room to assist students who raise their hands
- Leading instruction at one station while the general educator leads another simultaneously (Correct answer)
- Managing student behavior while the general educator delivers all content
Correct answer: Leading instruction at one station while the general educator leads another simultaneously
In station teaching, both teachers lead separate instructional stations simultaneously, sharing responsibility for content delivery.
Question 7: Which Massachusetts-specific process allows parents who disagree with a school district's IEP proposal to request an independent evaluation at public expense?
- Facilitated IEP
- Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) (Correct answer)
- Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA) complaint
- Section 504 override request
Correct answer: Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)
Parents have the right to request an IEE at public expense if they disagree with the district's evaluation results.
MTEL MTEL Special Education and Endorsement Tests 3
A student with a learning disability struggles with written expression but excels verbally.
Which accommodation BEST addresses this discrepancy during assessments?