Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) Special Education Practice Exam

When should a standardized test results be used cautiously for students with learning disabilities?

1. When developing social skills programs

2. When assessing physical education outcomes

3. When creating effective instructional strategies

4. When determining a student's interests

The correct answer is: When creating effective instructional strategies

Standardized test results should be used cautiously when creating effective instructional strategies for students with learning disabilities due to the unique nature of these students' learning profiles. Standardized tests often do not fully accommodate the diverse needs and strengths of students with learning disabilities, which can lead to an incomplete or misleading understanding of a student's abilities. These tests typically measure performance against a norm group that may not reflect the individual’s learning context or the specific modalities through which they learn best. As such, relying solely on standardized test scores might not accurately inform instructional strategies that cater to the student's learning needs and styles. In contrast, the other options listed—developing social skills programs, assessing physical education outcomes, and determining a student's interests—can benefit from a broader range of assessment tools and observations, thereby minimizing the risk of misinterpretation when these tests are applied. This is particularly crucial in instruction, where tailored strategies that accommodate individual learning differences can significantly enhance educational outcomes.