SSW Special Education & IEP Process — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the role of a school social worker in the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process?
- To provide social-emotional assessments, participate in IEP meetings, and deliver related services (Correct answer)
- To teach academic subjects to students with disabilities
- To serve as the building principal's representative only
- To handle transportation arrangements for special education students
Correct answer: To provide social-emotional assessments, participate in IEP meetings, and deliver related services
School social workers contribute social-developmental histories, conduct assessments, provide counseling as a related service, participate in IEP team meetings, and help develop social-emotional goals.
Question 2: What does FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education) guarantee under IDEA?
- Special education and related services at no cost that meet the unique needs of eligible students (Correct answer)
- Free private school tuition for all students with disabilities
- Unlimited one-on-one instruction for every student
- Equal funding for all schools in a district
Correct answer: Special education and related services at no cost that meet the unique needs of eligible students
FAPE guarantees that students with disabilities receive special education and related services, provided at public expense, that are tailored to their individual needs and provided in the least restrictive environment.
Question 3: What is a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA)?
- A systematic process to identify the function (purpose) of a student's challenging behavior (Correct answer)
- A physical fitness test administered to all students
- A math proficiency assessment for placement purposes
- A teacher evaluation tool for classroom management skills
Correct answer: A systematic process to identify the function (purpose) of a student's challenging behavior
An FBA systematically examines challenging behavior to determine its function (attention-seeking, escape, sensory, tangible) by analyzing antecedents, behavior, and consequences.
Question 4: What is Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and how does it differ from IDEA?
- A civil rights law providing accommodations for students with disabilities who don't qualify for IDEA special education (Correct answer)
- A section of the IEP that addresses transportation services
- A federal funding formula for special education programs
- A standardized test administered in 5th grade
Correct answer: A civil rights law providing accommodations for students with disabilities who don't qualify for IDEA special education
Section 504 is a civil rights law that provides accommodations for students with disabilities who may not qualify for IDEA special education but still need support to access their education.
Question 5: What is the 'least restrictive environment' (LRE) requirement under IDEA?
- Students with disabilities must be educated with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate (Correct answer)
- All special education students must be placed in general education classrooms
- Students should be placed in the environment with the fewest behavioral restrictions
- Schools must have the least number of rules possible for students with disabilities
Correct answer: Students with disabilities must be educated with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate
LRE requires that students with disabilities be educated alongside their non-disabled peers to the greatest extent appropriate, with removal from the general education environment only when necessary.
Question 6: What is a Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)?
- A plan developed from an FBA that outlines strategies to address challenging behavior and teach replacement skills (Correct answer)
- A disciplinary contract between the student and principal
- A detention schedule for repeated behavior offenses
- A parental behavior agreement for supporting homework completion
Correct answer: A plan developed from an FBA that outlines strategies to address challenging behavior and teach replacement skills
A BIP is based on the FBA findings and outlines proactive strategies, replacement behaviors to teach, consequence modifications, and data collection methods to address the student's challenging behavior.
SSW Special Education & IEP Process
What is the role of a school social worker in the IEP (Individualized Education Program) process?