WGU D169 Essential Practices For Supporting Diverse
Learners Study Guide Questions And Answers
What does the term English learner (EL) mean?
What are some other terms used to refer to these students? ANS 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) ANS 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) ANS 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) ANS 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) ANS 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) ANS 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) ANS 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) ANS 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) ANS 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) ANS 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) ANS 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) ANS
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) ANS 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) ANS 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) ANS 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) ANS
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) ANS 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) ANS 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) ANS a. Yes, the
misbehavior was caused by the child's disability
b. Yes, the misbehavior happened because some aspect of the IEP wasn't followed
c. No, the behavior wasn't caused by the child's disability
What are the 13 specific categories of disabilities identified by IDEA? (p. 27, Essential Reading 1) ANS 1)
Autism Spectrum Disorder
2)Intellectual Disability
3)Hearing Impairment
4)Deafness
5)Speech or Language Impairment
6)Visual Impairment (including blindness)
7)Emotional Disturbance (including anxiety and depression)
8)Orthopedic Impairment
9)Traumatic Brain injury
10) Other health impairment (including ADHD)
11)Specific Learning Disability (dyslexia, dysgraphia, auditory processing)
12)Deaf-Blindness
13)Multiple Disabilities
What is the most common disability category under IDEA? (p. 27, Essential Reading 2) ANS Specific Learning
Disability (SLD)
