WGU D169 - Study Guide, Essential
Practices for Supporting Diverse
Learners - D169
What does the term English learner (EL) mean?
What are some other terms used to refer to these students? - correct answer ✔✔term used to identify
students whose first language is not English
ELL, ESOL, ESL, LEP
Federal law requires that parents be notified their child has been identified as an English learner within
what time period? (p. 12, Essential Reading 1) - correct answer ✔✔parents must be notified that their
child has been identified as an English learner within 30 days of the beginning of the school year, and
within 2 weeks for students that enroll during any other time during the school year
Describe one screening tool commonly used as the first step to identify English learners. What is it
called? Who completes it? What are some of the questions it includes? (p. 12, Essential Reading 1) -
correct answer ✔✔HOME LANGUAGE SURVEY is completed by the parents. Questions include What
language did your child first understand or speak? What language do you or others use most often when
speaking with your child? What language does your child use most often when speaking at home? What
language does your child use most often when speaking with other family members? What language
does your child use most often when speaking with friends?
After a student is identified as a potential EL, how are placement or screener tests used for further
evaluation? (p. 12, Essential Reading 2) - correct answer ✔✔ELP tests must assess the proficiency of
students in all four language domains (i.e., speaking, listening, reading, and writing). After the student
completes the assessment, parents or guardians must receive in a timely manner information about the
student's ELP level and program options, and an opportunity to opt out of the EL program or particular
EL services in the program.
What is the purpose of Title III of the Every Student Succeeds Act or ESSA (2015) as it relates to the
education for ELs. (p. 12, Essential Reading 2, Page 35) - correct answer ✔✔PRIMARY PURPOSE IS
FUNDING AND IDENTIFICATION OF EL LEARNERS
,to determine whether students are eligible for English language instruction services
If a student is identified as EL and is diagnosed with a disability but the parent declines disability-related
services, what is the school still required to provide? (p. 14, Essential Reading 1, Page 2) - correct answer
✔✔Should parents decline disability-related services under IDEA and Section 504, the SEA and LEA
remain obligated to provide appropriate language assistance services to ELs.
If a student is identified as EL and is diagnosed with a disability but the parent opts out of the EL
programs and services, what is the school still required to provide? (p. 14, Essential Reading 1, Page 2) -
correct answer ✔✔If parents opt out of specific EL programs and services, but have consented to the
provision of disability related services, the LEA remains obligated to provide such services as required in
the IEP or Section 504 plan, and to conduct ELP monitoring and/or provide language assistance as
appropriate (FAPE)
What are some ways we can overcome the overidentification and under-identification of ELs in special
education? (p. 14, Essential Video) - correct answer ✔✔Be culturally and linguistically responsive.
Consider native literacy and language. Need more supports and services to address their language
needs. Other factors including cultural bias, teacher misunderstanding of child development across
cultures, and lack of teacher understanding of the second-language acquisition process
Describe the 6 key principles for teaching ELs. (p. 16, Essential Reading 1) - correct answer ✔✔a.
Instruction focuses on providing ELs with opportunities to engage in discipline-specific practices, which
are designed to build conceptual understanding and language competence in tandem
b. Instruction leverages ELs' home language(s), cultural assets, and prior knowledge
c. Standards-aligned instruction for ELs is rigorous, grade-level appropriate, and provides deliberate and
appropriate scaffolds
d. Instruction moves ELs forward by taking into account their English proficiency level(s) and prior
schooling experiences.
e. Instruction fosters ELs' autonomy by equipping them with the strategies necessary to comprehend
and use language in a variety of academic settings
f. Diagnostic tools and formative assessment practices are employed to measure students' content
knowledge, academic language competence, and participation in disciplinary practices.
1. List the important components of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). (p. 18,
Essential Reading 1) - correct answer ✔✔a. Legal rights for people with disabilities
,b. An Individualized Education Program (IEP) for eligible K-12 students
c. Special education and related services to meet a student's unique needs
d. Accommodations (like audiobooks or extra time) for K-12 students
e. A requirement that public schools find and evaluate — at no cost to families — kids who may have a
disability
f. Education funding for schools
g. A free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) for students
h. Procedural safeguards that protect families' rights (like access to school records)
i. Due process (or an impartial hearing) for resolving disputes between families and schools
1. List the important components of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. (p. 18, Essential Reading 1) -
correct answer ✔✔a. Legal rights for people with disabilities
b. A 504 plan for eligible K-12 students
c. Accommodations (like audiobooks or extra time) for K-12 students
d. Accommodations for college students
e. A free appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE) for students
f. Procedural safeguards that protect families' rights (like access to school records)
g. Due process (or an impartial hearing) for resolving disputes between families and schools
h. Freedom from discrimination at private schools (including colleges and universities) that get federal
funding
1. List the important components of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). (p. 18, Essential Reading
1) - correct answer ✔✔a. Legal rights for people with disabilities
b. Reasonable accommodations in workplaces (with 15 or more employees)
c. Freedom from discrimination at private schools (including colleges and universities) that get federal
funding
d. Freedom from discrimination in workplaces (with 15 or more employees)
e. Access to places that offer goods and services to the public, like restaurants and websites
Explain the term "Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)". (p. 18, Essential Reading 2) - correct answer
✔✔LRE requires that students with disabilities be educated with their chronologically aged peers to the
, greatest extent possible, and that typically means in the general education classroom. Under LRE,
students with disabilities who are in general education classrooms are provided with supports and
services that meet their needs as much as possible. Students with disabilities are to participate fully,
both academically and socially. In addition, the general education teacher is expected to differentiate the
methods used to provide services so all students benefit from instruction. Students with disabilities are
to be educated in the general education classroom until all available methods to meet their needs in this
environment are tried and deemed unsuccessful.
Who is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). (p. 18, Essential Reading 3) - correct answer
✔✔People of all ages who have a physical or mental disability that substantially limits a major life
activity.
Who is covered by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. (p. 18, Essential Reading 4) - correct answer
✔✔Students of all ages who have a physical or mental disability that substantially limits a major life
activity. That can include reading, learning, and concentrating
Who is covered by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). (p. 18, Essential Reading 5) -
correct answer ✔✔Kids from birth through high school (or age 21). But a child must have a disability in
one of 13 categories in the law and need special education to make progress in school. Not all kids who
struggle in school will qualify.
What are 4 common LRE scenarios? (p. 21, Essential Reading 1) - correct answer ✔✔a. General
education classroom with support
b. Partial mainstream/inclusion classroom
c. Special education class
d. Specialized program outside of the school district
Describe the term "Manifestation Determination" as it relates to behaviors of students with IEPs or 504
Plans. (p. 22, Essential Reading 1) - correct answer ✔✔A manifestation determination is when the IEP
team looks at whether a child's disability, which can include learning and thinking differences, causes or
directly contributes to misbehavior. In other words, is the behavior a "manifestation," or symptom, of
the child's learning and thinking differences? If so, more protections apply.
What are the 3 possible results of a manifestation determination? (p. 22, Essential Reading 1) - correct
answer ✔✔a. Yes, the misbehavior was caused by the child's disability
