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ABPP School Psychology study materials
ABPP School Psychology study resources

ABPP School Psychology practice questions

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Question 1Foundations of School Psychology

Which individual is most closely associated with founding the field of school psychology through the establishment of a psychological clinic at the University of Pennsylvania in 1896?

  1. Alfred Binet
  2. Lightner Witmer Correct answer.
  3. Francis Galton
  4. G. Stanley Hall

Explanation

Lightner Witmer opened the first psychological clinic in 1896 and coined the term clinical psychology; his work with children and teachers is widely credited as the origin of school psychology. Hall, Binet, and Galton made major contributions to psychology but not to the founding of the school psychology clinic tradition.

Question 2Foundations of School Psychology

Which legal action is credited with establishing the right of children with intellectual disabilities to a free public education and helping pave the way for later federal special education law?

  1. PARC v. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Correct answer.
  2. Irving Independent School District v. Tatro
  3. Honig v. Doe
  4. Board of Education v. Rowley

Explanation

PARC (1972) was a consent decree in Pennsylvania that recognized the right of children with intellectual disabilities to a free public education and became a model for federal legislation. Rowley concerned the meaning of FAPE, Tatro concerned related services, and Honig concerned disciplinary protections.

Question 3Foundations of School Psychology

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which right do parents of a student under age 18 generally hold?

  1. The right to receive automatic copies of every record the school creates
  2. The right to inspect and review the student's education records Correct answer.
  3. The right to approve every classroom activity involving the student
  4. The right to prohibit all disclosures, including disclosures to school officials with legitimate educational interests

Explanation

FERPA gives parents, and eligible students, the right to inspect and review education records, request corrections, and limit disclosure of personally identifiable information, subject to specified exceptions. It does not require automatic copies or give a veto over ordinary classroom activities.

Question 4Foundations of School Psychology

Which description best captures the central role of a school psychologist within a school system?

  1. Providing long-term psychotherapy to adults in the surrounding community
  2. Prescribing psychotropic medication for students with attention or mood disorders
  3. Supporting learning and well-being through assessment, intervention, and consultation Correct answer.
  4. Conducting only special education eligibility evaluations for the district

Explanation

School psychologists work across assessment, intervention, consultation, prevention, and systems support to promote students' academic, behavioral, social-emotional, and mental health outcomes. Their role is broader than eligibility evaluation alone and does not include prescribing medication.

Question 5Foundations of School Psychology

On most individually administered intelligence tests, standard scores are scaled with which mean and standard deviation?

  1. Mean 100 and standard deviation 15 Correct answer.
  2. Mean 100 and standard deviation 10
  3. Mean 50 and standard deviation 15
  4. Mean 50 and standard deviation 10

Explanation

Most major intelligence tests, such as the Wechsler scales, use a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15, so a score of 115 is one standard deviation above the mean. Other scales may use different metrics, but 100/15 is the conventional IQ metric.

Question 6Foundations of School Psychology

Before conducting a psychological evaluation, what does informed consent primarily require the school psychologist to do?

  1. Obtain a signature from the student's teacher rather than the parent
  2. Waive consent whenever an administrator requests the evaluation
  3. Secure verbal agreement and document it only if the parent objects
  4. Explain purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, and confidentiality limits clearly Correct answer.

Explanation

Informed consent requires that parents or eligible students receive an understandable explanation of the evaluation's purpose, procedures, potential risks and benefits, and the limits of confidentiality before agreeing. Consent must be voluntary and documented, and it cannot be replaced by teacher approval or administrative convenience.

Question 7Foundations of School Psychology

Under IDEA, a free appropriate public education (FAPE) must be provided in a way that meets which set of conditions?

  1. Free to parents, publicly supervised, and aligned with the IEP Correct answer.
  2. At a private clinic selected by the school psychologist and billed to insurance
  3. At public expense, under public supervision, and in conformity with the IEP
  4. At the family's expense unless the student qualifies for Medicaid reimbursement

Explanation

IDEA defines FAPE as special education and related services provided at public expense, under public supervision and direction, meeting state standards, and provided in conformity with an individualized education program. The family cannot be required to pay for the special education services that constitute FAPE.

Question 8Foundations of School Psychology

Which consultation model is most commonly used by school psychologists when working with teachers to define problems, analyze antecedents and consequences, and monitor intervention plans?

  1. Behavioral consultation Correct answer.
  2. Existential consultation
  3. Psychodynamic consultation
  4. Medical consultation

Explanation

Behavioral consultation is a problem-solving model that focuses on observable behavior, functional assessment, intervention design, and data-based progress monitoring. It is the most widely used consultation framework in school psychology practice.

Question 9Foundations of School Psychology

Which organization offers specialty board certification in school psychology for doctoral-level psychologists?

  1. The National Association of School Psychologists
  2. The American Educational Research Association
  3. The Council for Exceptional Children
  4. The American Board of Professional Psychology Correct answer.

Explanation

The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) awards board certification in recognized specialties, including school psychology, to doctoral-level psychologists. NASP is a professional association, while AERA and CEC focus on research and exceptional children respectively.

Question 10Foundations of School Psychology

Which statement best reflects the IDEA principle of least restrictive environment (LRE)?

  1. Students with disabilities must always be placed in general education classrooms regardless of need
  2. Placement decisions should be based primarily on the student's disability category
  3. Students with disabilities should be educated with nondisabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate Correct answer.
  4. Students with disabilities may be removed from general education whenever it is convenient for staff

Explanation

LRE requires that students with disabilities be educated alongside nondisabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate and removed only when education in general classes with supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily. Placement is individualized, not determined by category or staff convenience.

Question 11Foundations of School Psychology

What does the child find requirement obligate a school district to do?

  1. Identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities in the district Correct answer.
  2. Screen every student annually for all disability categories
  3. Evaluate only students whose parents request an evaluation in writing
  4. Provide special education services to eligible students enrolled only in public schools

Explanation

Child find requires districts to actively identify, locate, and evaluate children who may need special education, including those in private schools, homeless, or wards of the state. It is not limited to parent-requested evaluations or public-school enrollees.

Question 12Foundations of School Psychology

In a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS), which description best characterizes Tier 2 intervention?

  1. Supplemental, targeted intervention for students not responding adequately to core instruction Correct answer.
  2. Intensive, individualized intervention for students with significant and persistent needs
  3. Universal instruction and supports delivered to all students
  4. Special education placement with a modified curriculum

Explanation

Tier 2 provides supplemental, targeted intervention, often in small groups, for students who are not making adequate progress with core instruction alone. Tier 1 is universal support and Tier 3 is more intensive and individualized.

Question 13Foundations of School Psychology

According to IDEA and professional standards, how should a school psychologist assess a student whose primary language is not English?

  1. Rely on teacher reports in place of any standardized measures
  2. Use only English-language standardized tests to ensure comparability with district norms
  3. Use the student's native language or mode of communication when feasible Correct answer.
  4. Delay all assessment until the student is fully fluent in English

Explanation

IDEA requires assessment in the child's native language or mode of communication unless it is clearly not feasible, and evaluation must use multiple measures to distinguish disability from language difference. Delaying assessment indefinitely can deny needed services.

Question 14Foundations of School Psychology

Which statement accurately distinguishes Section 504 from IDEA?

  1. Section 504 funding is administered by the U.S. Department of Defense
  2. Section 504 requires an IEP, whereas IDEA requires only an accommodation plan
  3. Section 504 applies only to students with specific learning disabilities
  4. Section 504 prohibits disability discrimination and can provide accommodations without special education Correct answer.

Explanation

Section 504 is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on disability and may require accommodations for students whose impairment substantially limits a major life activity. IDEA requires special education and an IEP for eligible students, a narrower and more procedurally specific entitlement.

Question 15Foundations of School Psychology

Under IDEA, what is the school district's obligation when a parent refuses consent for an initial evaluation?

  1. The district must close the case permanently and may never contact the parent again
  2. The district may evaluate without consent because child find overrides parent refusal
  3. The district must immediately place the student in special education based on teacher report
  4. The district may not evaluate without consent but may pursue mediation or due process Correct answer.

Explanation

IDEA requires parental consent for an initial evaluation, and a district may not override a refusal unilaterally. The district may use mediation or a due process hearing if it believes the evaluation is necessary.

Question 16Foundations of School Psychology

A 15-year-old student tells the school psychologist that they are planning to seriously hurt themselves after school. What is the most appropriate response?

  1. Maintain strict confidentiality because the student is a minor and trusted the psychologist
  2. Act immediately to ensure safety and notify parents and appropriate staff Correct answer.
  3. Document the statement but take no action unless the student repeats it
  4. Contact the student's friends first and ask them to monitor the student

Explanation

When a student poses a serious risk of harm to self or others, the duty to protect overrides confidentiality; the psychologist should take immediate safety steps and notify guardians and appropriate staff. Simply documenting or relying on peers is insufficient.

Question 17Foundations of School Psychology

In Board of Education v. Rowley, the U.S. Supreme Court interpreted FAPE to require which standard?

  1. The best possible education available in the district regardless of cost
  2. Placement in a general education classroom for the entire school day
  3. A program reasonably calculated to provide some educational benefit Correct answer.
  4. A program that guarantees grade-level achievement in all academic areas

Explanation

Rowley held that FAPE requires personalized instruction with sufficient support services to permit the child to benefit educationally, and that states need not maximize each child's potential. The standard is whether the IEP is reasonably calculated to enable educational benefit.

Question 18Foundations of School Psychology

What did the Supreme Court decide in Honig v. Doe regarding disciplinary removal of students with disabilities?

  1. Only law enforcement may discipline students with disabilities
  2. Students with disabilities are exempt from all school discipline
  3. Schools may unilaterally expel students with disabilities for any misconduct they commit
  4. Schools generally may not unilaterally exclude a student for dangerous conduct Correct answer.

Explanation

Honig v. Doe affirmed the IDEA stay-put provision: a student with a disability generally must remain in the current placement during dispute resolution, and schools cannot unilaterally exclude a student for dangerous conduct without following IDEA procedures or obtaining court relief. The decision does not exempt students from discipline altogether.

Question 19Foundations of School Psychology

In Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory, which example best illustrates an exosystem influence on a student?

  1. The broader cultural values about education in the student's society
  2. The student's immediate classroom interactions with a teacher
  3. The relationship between the student's parents and the teacher
  4. A parent's inflexible work schedule that affects available supervision at home Correct answer.

Explanation

The exosystem consists of settings that do not directly include the child but affect the child through their impact on family or school, such as a parent's workplace policies. Microsystem, mesosystem, and macrosystem refer respectively to direct settings, interactions among settings, and broad cultural patterns.

Question 20Foundations of School Psychology

A school psychologist wants to demonstrate experimental control in a single-case design examining a reading intervention. Which design feature is most characteristic of a multiple-baseline design?

  1. Staggering intervention introduction across behaviors, settings, or participants Correct answer.
  2. Collecting data only after the intervention has been fully implemented
  3. Withdrawing and reinstating the intervention repeatedly within the same target behavior
  4. Comparing two groups of students randomly assigned to treatment and control conditions

Explanation

A multiple-baseline design demonstrates experimental control by showing that behavior changes only when the intervention is introduced for each baseline, with introduction staggered over time. Repeated withdrawal is characteristic of an ABAB reversal design, and random group assignment describes group experimental designs.

Question 21Foundations of School Psychology

A school psychologist is evaluating a student who is an English learner and suspects a possible learning disability. Which approach best reflects culturally and linguistically responsive assessment?

  1. Use multiple methods, assess language proficiency, and interpret scores cautiously Correct answer.
  2. Delay evaluation until the student has lived in the United States for at least five years
  3. Assume the student has a disability because academic progress is below grade level
  4. Administer a full English-language IQ test and use the resulting score as the sole eligibility criterion

Explanation

Best practice requires distinguishing language difference from disability by assessing proficiency, using multiple sources of data, and interpreting standardized scores in light of the student's linguistic and cultural background. A single English-language score or a delay based on residency is not sufficient or appropriate.

Question 22Foundations of School Psychology

Which factor must be ruled out as the primary cause before a student is identified with a specific learning disability?

  1. Teacher reports of persistent academic difficulty
  2. A pattern of strengths and weaknesses in academic skills
  3. Limited English proficiency or inadequate instruction Correct answer.
  4. Documented underachievement in reading relative to ability

Explanation

IDEA prohibits identifying a child as having a specific learning disability if the determinant factor is lack of appropriate instruction in reading or math, or limited English proficiency. Eligibility must be based on multiple sources of evidence, not on those exclusionary factors.

Question 23Foundations of School Psychology

Within how many school days of a disciplinary change of placement must a manifestation determination review be conducted for a student with a disability?

  1. Five school days
  2. Ten school days Correct answer.
  3. Twenty school days
  4. Three school days

Explanation

IDEA requires a manifestation determination review within 10 school days of any decision to change the placement of a child with a disability because of a violation of a code of student conduct. The review considers whether the conduct was caused by or substantially related to the disability or resulted from failure to implement the IEP.

Question 24Foundations of School Psychology

What is the primary purpose of a prereferral intervention team or teacher assistance team?

  1. To replace the IEP team in placement decisions
  2. To provide direct therapy to students with emotional disabilities
  3. To determine special education eligibility before any classroom intervention
  4. Supporting teachers in designing and monitoring interventions before referral Correct answer.

Explanation

Prereferral teams help teachers problem-solve, select evidence-based interventions, and monitor progress in general education before considering special education referral. Their purpose is to improve instruction and reduce unnecessary referrals, not to make eligibility or placement decisions.

Question 25Foundations of School Psychology

Which statement about reliability and validity in psychological assessment is most accurate?

  1. A test can be valid without being reliable
  2. Reliability and validity are interchangeable terms for test accuracy
  3. Reliability is necessary but not sufficient for validity Correct answer.
  4. High reliability guarantees high validity for the test's intended use

Explanation

Reliability refers to consistency of scores, whereas validity refers to the appropriateness of interpretations and uses; scores may be consistent but measure the wrong construct, and validity cannot exceed the available reliability. Therefore high reliability is necessary but not sufficient for validity.

Question 26Foundations of School Psychology

Under FERPA, which right do parents generally have regarding their child's education records?

  1. Receive free copies of all records each grading period
  2. Prevent the school from ever sharing records with other educators
  3. Inspect and review their child's education records Correct answer.
  4. Require permanent deletion of records at graduation

Explanation

FERPA grants parents and eligible students the right to inspect and review education records, seek amendment of inaccurate records, and consent to most disclosures. Schools must generally comply with a request to inspect records within 45 days.

Question 27Foundations of School Psychology

Which ethical principle in the NASP principles focuses on promoting students' welfare and avoiding harm?

  1. Fidelity and responsibility
  2. Integrity
  3. Beneficence and nonmaleficence Correct answer.
  4. Respect for people's rights and dignity

Explanation

The NASP ethical principles include beneficence and nonmaleficence, which direct school psychologists to promote students' welfare and avoid harm. The remaining principles address responsibility, honesty, justice, and respect for rights.

Question 28Foundations of School Psychology

A standard score of 85 on a measure with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15 corresponds to approximately which percentile rank?

  1. 34
  2. 50
  3. 84
  4. 16 Correct answer.

Explanation

A score of 85 is one standard deviation below the mean of 100 when the standard deviation is 15. In a normal distribution, about 16% of scores fall below one standard deviation under the mean, so the percentile rank is approximately 16.

Question 29Foundations of School Psychology

Who established the first psychological clinic at the University of Pennsylvania in 1896, an event often linked to the origins of school psychology?

  1. Alfred Binet
  2. Francis Galton
  3. Lightner Witmer Correct answer.
  4. G. Stanley Hall

Explanation

Lightner Witmer founded a psychological clinic at the University of Pennsylvania in 1896 and is widely associated with the early development of clinical and school psychology. His clinic focused on helping children with learning and adjustment difficulties.

Question 30Foundations of School Psychology

Under IDEA, within what maximum timeframe must an initial evaluation be completed after parental consent, unless state law specifies otherwise?

  1. 30 days
  2. 90 days
  3. 45 days
  4. 60 days Correct answer.

Explanation

IDEA requires that an initial evaluation be conducted within 60 days of receiving parental consent, unless the state establishes a different timeframe. The evaluation must be completed in enough time to determine eligibility and develop an IEP if needed.

Question 31Foundations of School Psychology

Which individual is a required member of an IEP team when the child is, or may be, participating in the general education environment?

  1. The district superintendent
  2. The school nurse
  3. The school resource officer
  4. A general education teacher Correct answer.

Explanation

IDEA requires that the IEP team include a general education teacher when the child is, or may be, participating in the general education environment. This teacher helps ensure access to the general curriculum and appropriate supports.

Question 32Foundations of School Psychology

IDEA requires a reevaluation at least how often, unless the parent and school district agree that reevaluation is unnecessary?

  1. Every 2 years
  2. Every 5 years
  3. Every year
  4. Every 3 years Correct answer.

Explanation

IDEA generally requires reevaluation at least once every three years, often called the triennial review. A reevaluation may occur more frequently if conditions warrant, and the three-year rule may be waived only by mutual agreement.

Question 33Foundations of School Psychology

Which action best reflects ethical test security for a school psychologist?

  1. Restricting access to qualified personnel Correct answer.
  2. Sharing all items with interested parents
  3. Posting secure items online for teacher review
  4. Discarding protocols immediately after scoring

Explanation

Test security requires protecting secure materials from unauthorized access, reproduction, or release. Access should be limited to qualified professionals who need the materials for legitimate assessment purposes.

Question 34Foundations of School Psychology

Which statement about percentile ranks is most accurate?

  1. They can be averaged to compute a composite score
  2. They indicate the percentage of items answered correctly
  3. They form an equal-interval scale suited to arithmetic
  4. They are ordinal and do not represent equal intervals Correct answer.

Explanation

Percentile ranks indicate the percentage of people in the norm group who scored at or below a given score. They are ordinal, so differences between adjacent percentile ranks are not equal across the scale.

Question 35Foundations of School Psychology

Which feature best characterizes curriculum-based measurement (CBM)?

  1. They are published intelligence tests with full normative samples
  2. They are unstructured portfolios of student work
  3. They are teacher-written unit exams used for grading
  4. They are brief standardized probes administered repeatedly Correct answer.

Explanation

CBM uses brief, standardized probes drawn from the curriculum and administered repeatedly to monitor student progress. The resulting data are graphed and used to evaluate response to intervention over time.

Question 36Foundations of School Psychology

In behavioral consultation, what is typically the first stage of the problem-solving process?

  1. Problem identification Correct answer.
  2. Plan implementation
  3. Treatment evaluation
  4. Problem analysis

Explanation

Behavioral consultation typically follows a sequence beginning with problem identification, followed by problem analysis, plan implementation, and treatment evaluation. The initial stage defines the concern in observable and measurable terms.

Question 37Foundations of School Psychology

A student makes a concerning threat toward peers at school. Which response is most consistent with current best practice in threat assessment?

  1. Ignore the statement if the student later laughs
  2. Refer the student to law enforcement without school review
  3. Convene a multidisciplinary threat assessment team Correct answer.
  4. Immediately suspend the student under zero-tolerance policies

Explanation

Best practice is to use a multidisciplinary threat assessment team to gather information and determine whether the threat is transient or substantive. This approach balances safety with a fair, individualized review rather than automatic exclusion.

Question 38Foundations of School Psychology

In Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District (2017), the Supreme Court clarified that a FAPE requires an IEP reasonably calculated to enable a child to make what kind of progress?

  1. Performance at grade level in all core subjects
  2. Maximization of the child's academic potential
  3. Progress appropriate in light of the child's circumstances Correct answer.
  4. Access to every service the parents request

Explanation

Endrew F. held that an IEP must be reasonably calculated to enable a child to make progress appropriate in light of the child's circumstances. The standard is more demanding than minimal access but does not require maximizing potential or guaranteeing grade-level performance.

Question 39Foundations of School Psychology

A school psychologist finds a large discrepancy between a student's verbal comprehension and perceptual reasoning index scores. What is the most defensible interpretation?

  1. Average the two index scores into a single composite
  2. Use index scores cautiously; the full scale may obscure the profile Correct answer.
  3. Conclude that the student has a processing disorder without further data
  4. Report only the full-scale IQ because it is the most reliable score

Explanation

When index scores differ significantly, the full-scale score can mask a meaningful cognitive profile. The psychologist should interpret index scores cautiously alongside other data and avoid drawing a diagnostic conclusion from a single discrepancy.

Question 40Foundations of School Psychology

Under IDEA's stay-put provision, what happens to a student's placement while a due process hearing is pending?

  1. The student is suspended pending the hearing outcome
  2. The student remains in the current educational placement Correct answer.
  3. The student is placed in an interim alternative setting until resolved
  4. The district may choose any placement it considers appropriate

Explanation

The stay-put provision generally requires that a student remain in the current educational placement during the pendency of due process proceedings, unless the parties agree otherwise or a specific disciplinary exception applies. This protects continuity while disputes are resolved.

Question 41Assessment and Intervention

On most individually administered cognitive ability tests, what are the mean and standard deviation of the full-scale standard score?

  1. 100 and 15 Correct answer.
  2. 100 and 10
  3. 50 and 10
  4. 50 and 15

Explanation

Most major cognitive batteries use a deviation metric with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. This scale permits conversion to percentile ranks and confidence intervals.

Question 42Assessment and Intervention

A student obtains a standard score of 115 on a test with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. Approximately what percentile rank corresponds to this score?

  1. 84th Correct answer.
  2. 99th
  3. 50th
  4. 95th

Explanation

A score of 115 is one standard deviation above the mean. In a normal distribution, about 84% of scores fall below one standard deviation above the mean.

Question 43Assessment and Intervention

Which statement best illustrates a criterion-referenced interpretation of a reading assessment?

  1. Performance is described against a preset mastery level. Correct answer.
  2. A student's score is converted to a national percentile rank.
  3. A student's score is compared with same-age peers.
  4. A student's score is compared with the classroom average.

Explanation

Criterion-referenced interpretation compares performance to an absolute standard rather than to other students. A preset mastery level is such a standard.

Question 44Assessment and Intervention

What is the primary purpose of a functional behavioral assessment (FBA)?

  1. To measure the student's academic achievement level
  2. To identify the antecedents and consequences maintaining a behavior Correct answer.
  3. To assign a consequence that reduces problem behavior
  4. To determine whether a student meets diagnostic criteria for a disability

Explanation

An FBA systematically examines the conditions before and after a behavior to identify its function, such as attention, escape, or access to tangibles. This functional hypothesis guides intervention selection.

Question 45Assessment and Intervention

Which feature is most characteristic of curriculum-based measurement (CBM)?

  1. Brief, standardized probes administered repeatedly to track growth Correct answer.
  2. Full-length norm-referenced achievement tests given annually
  3. Open-ended teacher interviews conducted once per semester
  4. Unstructured classroom observations recorded without a standard metric

Explanation

CBM uses brief, standardized probes drawn from the curriculum and administered repeatedly so that slope of improvement can be estimated. It is designed for frequent progress monitoring and instructional decision making.

Question 46Assessment and Intervention

In a three-tier response-to-intervention model, what is the typical purpose of Tier 2 support?

  1. Special education eligibility determination for all students
  2. Intensive individualized intervention replacing core instruction
  3. Small-group targeted intervention with frequent progress monitoring Correct answer.
  4. Universal instruction delivered to every student in the general classroom

Explanation

Tier 2 provides targeted, small-group intervention for students who are not responding adequately to universal instruction. Progress is monitored frequently to decide whether to continue, fade, or intensify support.

Question 47Assessment and Intervention

Which instrument is most commonly used to assess adaptive behavior in school-based evaluations?

  1. Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive Abilities
  2. Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales Correct answer.
  3. Beck Depression Inventory
  4. Conners Comprehensive Behavior Rating Scales

Explanation

Adaptive behavior refers to everyday conceptual, social, and practical skills, and the Vineland scales are a widely used measure for this domain. Cognitive and behavior rating instruments assess different constructs.

Question 48Assessment and Intervention

A school psychologist administers the same test to a group of students on two occasions two weeks apart and correlates the scores. Which psychometric property is being examined?

  1. Test-retest reliability Correct answer.
  2. Internal consistency
  3. Content validity
  4. Inter-rater reliability

Explanation

Test-retest reliability examines the stability of scores across repeated administrations of the same measure over time. A high correlation indicates consistent rank ordering across occasions.

Question 49Assessment and Intervention

A student's cognitive assessment shows a low Processing Speed index but average Verbal Comprehension and Fluid Reasoning. Which interpretation is most defensible?

  1. Low Processing Speed may reflect motor or visual demands. Correct answer.
  2. Processing Speed is the best single indicator of overall intelligence.
  3. The low index should be ignored because it is always an error.
  4. The student has an intellectual disability because one index is low.

Explanation

Processing Speed tasks often impose fine-motor and visual-scanning demands, so a low index can reflect response mechanics rather than global cognitive difficulty. The pattern should be integrated with other scores and observations.

Question 50Assessment and Intervention

How does a response-to-intervention approach differ from an ability-achievement discrepancy approach when identifying specific learning disability?

  1. Discrepancy models require repeated curriculum-based measurement.
  2. RTI relies only on teacher referral, whereas discrepancy uses standardized testing.
  3. Discrepancy models prohibit the use of cognitive assessment.
  4. RTI evaluates response to validated instruction before considering eligibility. Correct answer.

Explanation

RTI focuses on whether a student responds adequately to evidence-based instruction and intervention before eligibility is considered. This contrasts with waiting for a discrepancy between ability and achievement.