Free Special Education: Early Childhood/Early Intervention Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Special Education: Early Childhood/Early Intervention practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1A preschooler has difficulty remembering two instructions while carrying them out. Which developing capacity most directly supports this task?

   1. A.Phonological awareness
   2. B.Working memoryCorrect answer: B
   3. C.Fine motor coordination
   4. D.Expressive vocabulary

   Explanation: The framework describes working memory as "the ability to hold information and manipulate it to perform tasks." Keeping instructions available while acting on them requires this capacity; sound awareness, hand coordination, and word production do not directly explain the difficulty.

   Reference: Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five — p. 11, Approaches to Learning

2. 2A preschooler can complete puzzles but becomes overwhelmed by noise and crowding at the puzzle table. Which planned modification directly addresses this environmental barrier?

   1. A.Offer a puzzle with fewer pieces for the child to assemble.
   2. B.Add larger knobs for the child to grasp on the puzzle pieces.
   3. C.Provide a quieter, less crowded place for the puzzle activity.Correct answer: C
   4. D.Substitute a puzzle featuring the child's favorite characters.

   Explanation: Head Start explains, "Environmental support means that you alter the physical, social, or temporal environment to promote participation, engagement, and learning." A quieter, less crowded space addresses the identified sensory and social environment. Fewer pieces change task difficulty, knobs change motor access, and favorite characters address interest; none directly reduces noise or crowding.

   Reference: Curriculum Modifications: An Introduction — Video transcript, Environmental support

3. 3A school proposes to determine a first grader's IDEA eligibility solely from one standardized test score. What is the central problem with this proposal?

   1. A.Standardized scores cannot be considered in an IDEA evaluation.
   2. B.The decision must be based only on classroom observations.
   3. C.One measure cannot serve as the sole eligibility criterion.Correct answer: C
   4. D.Eligibility must be determined before any formal testing occurs.

   Explanation: IDEA directs agencies to "Not use any single measure or assessment as the sole criterion" for disability determination and educational programming. Standardized scores can contribute, but neither a test alone nor observations alone should replace a comprehensive evaluation.

   Reference: Sec. 300.304 Evaluation Procedures — 34 CFR 300.304(b)(2)

4. 4Which approach recognizes a family's expertise when a teacher begins an early intervention partnership?

   1. A.Explain the complete plan before asking about the family's experience.
   2. B.Ask the family which routines work well and what they know about the child's interests.Correct answer: B
   3. C.Limit discussion to information from professional assessment reports.
   4. D.Ask the family to observe while professionals select all priorities.

   Explanation: Head Start states, "Families have expertise about their child and their family." Inviting their observations treats this knowledge as useful to planning. Announcing a finished plan, limiting evidence to professionals, or assigning families a passive role does not.

   Reference: Positive Goal-Oriented Relationships — p. 1, Strength-Based Attitudes

5. 5A team is considering removing a child from a regular classroom because of disability-related needs. Under IDEA's LRE rule, which condition must support that removal?

   1. A.Another classroom already has an available seat.
   2. B.The child needs any type of specialized instruction.
   3. C.A separate setting is more convenient for staff scheduling.
   4. D.Education in regular classes with supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.Correct answer: D

   Explanation: IDEA permits removal only when "education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily." Vacancy, a need for specialized instruction, or staff convenience alone does not meet this individualized LRE condition.

   Reference: 34 CFR 300.114 — LRE Requirements — 34 CFR 300.114(a)(2)(ii)

6. 6Which preschool activity places the most direct demand on gross motor coordination?

   1. A.Fastening a small button
   2. B.Turning a single book page
   3. C.Climbing steps on a play structureCorrect answer: C
   4. D.Drawing details with a thin crayon

   Explanation: The framework states, "Gross motor skills refer to moving the whole body and using larger muscles of the body, such as those in the arms and legs." Climbing requires these movements; the other activities primarily require fine hand and finger control.

   Reference: Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five — p. 66, Perceptual, Motor, and Physical Development

7. 7A child wants to join an art activity but cannot comfortably grasp the narrow paintbrush handles. Which modification most directly improves access to the materials?

   1. A.Add wider grips to the brush handles.Correct answer: A
   2. B.Schedule the art activity earlier in the day.
   3. C.Reduce the number of colors offered.
   4. D.Provide a picture of the finished artwork.

   Explanation: Head Start states, "Materials adaptation means that you modify the materials; make them bigger or easier to use." Wider grips address grasping. Timing, fewer choices, and a finished model do not directly change the handle the child must hold.

   Reference: Curriculum Modifications: An Introduction — Video transcript, Materials adaptation

8. 8An evaluation finds that limited English proficiency is the determinant factor explaining a child's performance and that the child does not otherwise meet IDEA disability criteria. What follows for this eligibility decision?

   1. A.The child must not be identified as having an IDEA disability on that basis.Correct answer: A
   2. B.The child automatically qualifies under speech or language impairment.
   3. C.The child must qualify temporarily until English proficiency improves.
   4. D.The child's eligibility should be decided without language information.

   Explanation: Section 300.306(b) lists "Limited English proficiency" in its special eligibility rule. With the stated determinant factor and failure to otherwise meet the criteria, disability identification is inappropriate. This does not mean English learners cannot have disabilities; those facts are specified for this child.

   Reference: Sec. 300.306 Determination of Eligibility — 34 CFR 300.306(b)(1)(iii) and (b)(2)

9. 9Parents identify participation in family meals as their main concern, while the provider initially prefers a different goal. Which response reflects family-centered goal development?

   1. A.Use the provider's preferred goal because it is easier to measure.
   2. B.Delay discussion until the parents adopt the provider's priorities.
   3. C.Exclude family routines because early intervention concerns professional sessions.
   4. D.Explore the parents' priority and develop a developmentally appropriate goal together.Correct answer: D

   Explanation: ETS specifies considering "parents’ priorities, choices, and goals" in meeting developmental and educational needs. The provider should work with the family to turn the meaningful priority into an appropriate goal, rather than overriding, delaying, or excluding it.

   Reference: ETS 5692 Study Companion — p. 9, Family Advocacy and Support — family priorities in plan development

10. 10A parent consents to an initial IDEA evaluation. What does that consent authorize with respect to initial special education services?

    1. A.It authorizes evaluation but does not by itself authorize initial services.Correct answer: A
    2. B.It automatically authorizes all services later proposed by the IEP team.
    3. C.It authorizes services only if the parent does not attend the IEP meeting.
    4. D.It authorizes services for one year without another consent decision.

    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-service consent are distinct; attendance, silence, or an assumed one-year term does not combine them.

    Reference: Sec. 300.300 Parental Consent — 34 CFR 300.300(a)(1)(ii) and (b)(1)