Professional Responsibilities and Relationships

Test Objectives

  1. Understand the importance of building positive, collaborative relationships with children’s families, other professionals, and community agencies and organizations to support the learning and well-being of young children from birth to grade two.
  2. Understand the roles and responsibilities of early childhood educators.

Question #1

A second-grade student with a speech and language impairment (SLI) attends a general education class and receives pull out services from a speech-language pathologist (SLP) twice a week. The general education teacher schedules a regular weekly meeting with the SLP. The primary purpose of these weekly meetings should be to:

You answered

Coordinate pull-out and classroom activities to help the student achieve individual goals.

Question #2

A first-grade student with a disability is frequently pulled out from her general education classroom to receive services in the resource room. The first-grade teacher feels that the student is missing not only important instruction, but also opportunities to develop ties with her classmates. Which of the following would be the first-grade teacher's best initial response?

You answered

This question requires the examinee to demonstrate knowledge of strategies for building collaborative partnerships with colleagues. A direct meeting would provide the best opportunity for the teachers to share their perspectives, explore potential solutions, and forge a common understanding of how to meet the student’s needs across domains.

Question #3

The local fire department has offered to come to a preschool to make a presentation for families about safety in homes with young children. Which of the following pre-presentation strategies would best help ensure that the presentation will be meaningful for all attendees?

You answered

This question requires the examinee to demonstrate the ability to apply skills and strategies for establishing and maintaining positive, collaborative relationships with families and for involving families in their children’s development and learning. Special learning experiences within the classroom present a unique opportunity to help families feel included in their child’s learning. It is important for teachers to ask families for input about what they would like their children to learn from special presentations so that each event’s usefulness is maximized. This outreach to families helps develop mutual respect and increased communication between teachers and families.

Question #4

A kindergarten teacher would like to inform the parents/guardians of children in the class about upcoming instructional units, field trips and classroom events, and volunteer and visiting opportunities. Which of the following modes of communication would be most effective for accomplishing this goal?

You answered

Keeping families informed about upcoming classroom events or field trips is an important part of home-school communication. Providing a monthly calendar or newsletter for each child to take home allows families to keep track of what is presently happening or soon to happen in the classroom and can be referred to throughout the month as needed.  Sending this information home each month via backpack is an accessible means of communication for most families.

Question #5

The best strategy for identifying family concerns and priorities relating to an IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) is to

You answered

Correct Answer: C

The IFSP is a family-focused plan that recognizes the family as a child’s greatest resource and primary decision maker.  

.

TIP:  Use this link to learn more about Early Intervention Individualized Family Service Plans from the Illinois Dept. of Human Services : https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=96966

Question #6

Which of the following steps should a program evaluation team take first as it begins the process of conducting a comprehensive evaluation of an early childhood program?

You answered

Program evaluations are essential to ensure that early childhood programs are providing the best quality services to children and their families. When conducting a comprehensive evaluation of an early childhood program, the team should begin by reviewing the program’s current philosophy, goals, and objectives.

This step must be done first to make sure that the program’s current content and services are aligned with then stated mission and vision of the program. This review will also help the program evaluation team determine if the current philosophy, goals, and objectives are still working for the program or if they need to be revised to meet current needs.

Question #7

A young child with developmental delays has an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). The child will soon turn three, at which point he will enter a general education preschool program. Which of the following is a key responsibility of the general education preschool teacher in this situation?

You answered

This question requires the examinee to recognize the responsibilities of early childhood educators. 

Transitions are especially sensitive moments for young children. The general education preschool teacher can facilitate a smooth transition by collaborating with the family and service providers in multiple ways (e.g., by learning about the child’s routines, communication modes, and favorite toys and foods; becoming familiar with the services the child has been receiving; arranging to meet the child beforehand).

 

.

TIP: Check out this resource for a comparison of the key components of and IFSP versus an IEP: IFSP vs IEP Comparison

Question #8

In which of the following scenarios is an early childhood teacher acting primarily in his or her role as an advocate for children and families in the program?

You answered

To advocate for children, a teacher works with other educational professionals and/or representatives of community organizations to accomplish goals that are aimed at improving children’s educational experiences and their lives in general. By collaborating with an agency in the community to organize special health and wellness events, the teacher is advocating for children and their families to create a series of events that will likely have a long-term positive effect on the health of the children and their families. In this situation, the teacher seeks out the resources necessary to provide an experience for children and families that they would not have had otherwise.

Question #9

Which two groups of children are served by Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act? 

You answered

According to the U.S. Department of Education website and overview of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Infants and toddlers, birth through age 2, with disabilities and their families receive early intervention services under IDEA Part C. 

Children and youth ages 3 through 21 receive special education and related services under IDEA Part B.

For more information on IDEA please go to: 

 https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/

 

.

TIPS:  For more information on IDEA please go to: 

 https://sites.ed.gov/idea/about-idea/

OR

Click here to review a tip sheet on Terms Focused on Federal Regulations in Education

Question #10

During the first few weeks of school, a prekindergarten teacher wonders whether a child in the class may have developmental delays. Which of the following actions by the teacher in response to this concern would require permission from the child’s parents beforehand?

You answered

Parent permission is necessary in order for a school psychologist or counselor to collect or conduct a diagnostic observation or assessment. 

Results