Free Special Education: Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Special Education: Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A preschool teacher notices that a child is missing several expected developmental milestones. What does this observation establish?

   1. A.The child has a specific developmental disorder.
   2. B.The child may need developmental screening.Correct answer: B
   3. C.The child's developmental level is fixed.
   4. D.The child needs the same services as any child with a missed milestone.

   Explanation: CDC states, "A missed milestone could be a sign of a developmental delay." A missed milestone warrants closer screening; it does not by itself diagnose a disorder, determine services, or establish an unchanging developmental level.

   Reference: Developmental Monitoring and Screening — Developmental monitoring

2. 2Under IDEA, who may initiate a request for an initial evaluation to determine whether a child has a disability?

   1. A.Only the child's classroom teacher
   2. B.Only a licensed physician treating the child
   3. C.Either the child's parent or a public agencyCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Either an audiologist or a school psychologist exclusively

   Explanation: The regulation states, "either a parent of a child or a public agency may initiate a request for an initial evaluation". The request is not reserved to a teacher, physician, audiologist, or psychologist; IDEA’s consent requirements still apply.

   Reference: IDEA Regulations—Initial Evaluations — 34 CFR 300.301(b)

3. 3A deaf student receives special education support while participating in general education. Which curriculum is meant by IDEA's general education curriculum?

   1. A.A curriculum limited to hearing technology and communication skills
   2. B.A curriculum selected solely from the student's disability category
   3. C.The same curriculum used for students without disabilitiesCorrect answer: C
   4. D.A separate curriculum determined solely by hearing thresholds

   Explanation: IDEA identifies the general education curriculum as "the same curriculum as for nondisabled children". Specially designed instruction and access supports enable involvement and progress; deafness does not itself redefine that curriculum as hearing technology or a separate category-based program.

   Reference: IDEA Regulations—Definition of Individualized Education Program — 34 CFR 300.320(a)(1)(i)

4. 4A teacher posts classroom rules but finds that students interpret 'be respectful' differently. Which instructional response best clarifies the expectation?

   1. A.Repeat the same broad phrase more frequently.
   2. B.Model and explicitly teach observable behaviors that meet the rule.Correct answer: B
   3. C.Wait for violations before explaining the rule's meaning.
   4. D.Let each student apply a different definition during group work.

   Explanation: CEC recommends, "Establish and explicitly teach specific behaviors" for meeting expectations. Teaching what the rule looks like makes it actionable; repeating an undefined phrase or waiting for errors leaves the ambiguity unresolved.

   Reference: HLP 7: Establish a Consistent, Organized, and Respectful Learning Environment — Teacher practices, p. 1

5. 5Which outcome marked the conclusion of the 1988 Deaf President Now protest at Gallaudet University?

   1. A.Selection of I. King Jordan as the university's first deaf presidentCorrect answer: A
   2. B.Retention of the board's earlier selection of a hearing president
   3. C.Appointment of I. King Jordan as a dean instead of as president
   4. D.Selection of I. King Jordan as board chair rather than as president

   Explanation: Gallaudet states, "I. King Jordan made history in 1988 when he became the first deaf president of Gallaudet University". The biography explains that the board reversed its earlier selection after the DPN protest. Jordan became president, not merely a dean or board chair.

   Reference: I. King Jordan Bio — Short Biography—Deaf President Now

6. 6Which behavior is an example of a social-emotional milestone expected of most children by age two?

   1. A.Using switches and knobs on a toy
   2. B.Kicking a ball toward another person
   3. C.Noticing when another person is upsetCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Removing the lid from a container

   Explanation: Under Social/Emotional Milestones, CDC lists "Notices when others are hurt or upset, like pausing or looking sad when someone is crying". This concerns responding to another person’s emotions. The other behaviors primarily reflect cognitive or physical development.

   Reference: Milestones by 2 Years — What most children do by 2 years—Social/Emotional Milestones

7. 7A parent consents to an initial IDEA evaluation. What does that consent authorize regarding the initial provision of special education services?

   1. A.It also authorizes services in the school's preferred placement.
   2. B.It does not itself constitute consent to begin those services.Correct answer: B
   3. C.It authorizes services until the first annual IEP review.
   4. D.It authorizes related services but excludes special instruction.

   Explanation: IDEA states, "Parental consent for initial evaluation must not be construed as consent for initial provision of special education and related services." Evaluation consent and initial-services consent are separate; neither placement nor type of service removes that distinction.

   Reference: IDEA Regulations—Parental Consent — 34 CFR 300.300(a)(1)(ii)

8. 8A student can apply a learned measurement skill during a structured lesson but not during a cooking activity. Which instructional plan directly targets generalization?

   1. A.Practice the skill in varied authentic settings with feedback.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Repeat only the original worksheet with the same materials.
   3. C.Increase the worksheet length without changing the context.
   4. D.Check the original skill only through the same classroom quiz.

   Explanation: CEC explains, "Educators use feedback within authentic learning settings to help students develop capacity to generalize their learning and skills." Varying relevant settings provides opportunities to apply the skill beyond the original lesson; more of the identical worksheet alone does not target this transfer.

   Reference: HLP 21: Teach Students to Maintain and Generalize New Learning Across Time and Settings — HLP 21—overview

9. 9A student waited for a turn during group work. Which feedback is behavior-specific praise?

   1. A.You are the best student in the class.
   2. B.You seem to be having a good day.
   3. C.That was nice; keep being good.
   4. D.You waited until your partner finished before taking your turn.Correct answer: D

   Explanation: CEC recommends "positive and specific feedback to demonstrate approval of student behaviors". Naming the observed turn-taking behavior tells the student what was successful; generic approval or judgments about the person do not identify the behavior.

   Reference: HLP 8: Provide Positive and Constructive Feedback to Guide Students’ Learning and Behavior — Teacher practices—specific feedback, p. 1

10. 10Which description is consistent with the historical development of ASL?

    1. A.It was created as a direct manual transcription of modern English.
    2. B.It developed as a regional pronunciation system for British Sign Language.
    3. C.It includes elements of French Sign Language and original local sign languages.Correct answer: C
    4. D.It was invented by one committee to create a universal sign language.

    Explanation: NIDCD states, "Today’s ASL includes some elements of LSF plus the original local sign languages". It also explains that no person or committee invented ASL. Its development is not equivalent to English transcription, BSL variation, or a universal designed language.

    Reference: American Sign Language — Where did ASL originate?