A fourth grader has epilepsy. It limits her alertness in class and adversely affects her educational performance. Which IDEA category describes her?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.8. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain I, competency 001
A second grader passes every subject and moves up each year, but his teacher suspects a disability. What does the federal child find rule say?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.111. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain I, competency 001
A sixth grader cannot plan the steps of a project, loses focus, and struggles to switch between tasks. Which set of skills is weak?Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, A Guide to Executive Function. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain I, competency 002
Show all 45 questions (42 more)
Law, ethics and learners, continued
A student has diabetes that limits a major life activity. An evaluation finds he needs health supports at school but no special education. Which statement is correct?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.8; 34 CFR 104.3. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain I, competency 001
A Texas student with an IEP turns 18, and no guardian has been appointed. Under 19 TAC §89.1049, what happens to the IDEA rights her parents held?19 Texas Administrative Code §89.1049 (Legal Information Institute copy). Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain I, competency 001
In Board of Education v. Rowley (1982), the Supreme Court said an IEP must be reasonably calculated to enable the child to do what?Board of Education v. Rowley, 458 U.S. 176 (1982), syllabus. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain I, competency 001
In Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District (2017), which test for an adequate IEP did the Supreme Court reject as too low?Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District RE-1, No. 15-827 (2017), syllabus. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain I, competency 001
In Texas, an IEP must include measurable postsecondary goals and transition services no later than the first IEP in effect when the student turns what age?19 Texas Administrative Code §89.1055 (Legal Information Institute copy). Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain I, competency 001
The Section 504 regulations cover a person whose impairment substantially limits a major life activity. Which other people do they cover?34 CFR Part 104 (Section 504 regulations), §104.3. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain I, competency 001
Which statement belongs in an Individualized Family Service Plan, with the family's concurrence?34 CFR Part 303, Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities, §303.344. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain I, competency 001
Assessment and program planning 10
A parent disagrees with the school's evaluation. What does IDEA give the parent the right to seek?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.502. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain II, competency 003
A parent signs consent for an initial evaluation. What does that consent cover?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.300. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain II, competency 003
A student was reevaluated in October. In March of the same school year a teacher asks for another reevaluation. What does the federal rule say?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.303. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain II, competency 003
A teacher gives a three-question exit ticket halfway through a unit and regroups students the next day. Which kind of assessment is this?Eberly Center, Carnegie Mellon University, What is the difference between formative and summative assessment? Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain II, competency 003
A Texas district receives signed parental consent for a full individual and initial evaluation. Without absences or year-end exceptions, when is the written report due?19 Texas Administrative Code §89.1011 (Legal Information Institute copy). Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain II, competency 003
A third grader has changed schools five times and missed most of his reading lessons. The team finds that lack of appropriate instruction in reading is the determinant factor in his low scores. What follows?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.306. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain II, competency 003
An evaluator plans to decide eligibility from one IQ score. Why does this break the federal evaluation rule?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.304. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain II, competency 003
During an intensive intervention, what does the National Center on Intensive Intervention say to do with progress monitoring data?National Center on Intensive Intervention, Progress Monitoring. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain II, competency 004
For a school-age child, the IEP's statement of present levels of academic achievement and functional performance must explain what?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.320. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain II, competency 004
In Texas, once the written evaluation report is complete, the ARD committee must decide initial eligibility within how long?19 Texas Administrative Code §89.1011 (Legal Information Institute copy). Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain II, competency 003
Curriculum, instruction and behavior 15
A science teacher pairs each spoken explanation with a diagram and a hands-on model, so students can take in an idea by ear, by eye or by touch. Which Universal Design for Learning principle is at work?CAST, Universal Design for Learning Guidelines 3.0. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain III, competency 006
A student for whom writing is hard gives his answers aloud. He answers the same questions as his classmates. What is this change?Center for Parent Information and Resources, Supports, Modifications, and Accommodations for Students. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain III, competency 006
A teacher instructs a student with a significant cognitive disability to ride the city bus safely to a job site. What does IDEA call this instruction?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.39. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain III, competency 005
A teacher makes an assignment easier, so one student's work is not at the same level as that of the class. What is this change?Center for Parent Information and Resources, Supports, Modifications, and Accommodations for Students. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain III, competency 006
A team finds that conduct leading to a disciplinary change of placement was a manifestation of the student's disability. No functional behavioral assessment exists. What must the IEP team do?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.530. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain III, competency 007
According to the Center on PBIS, who can receive Tier 3 supports?Center on PBIS, What is PBIS? Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain III, competency 007
IDEA defines transition services as a coordinated set of activities that helps a student move from school to what?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.43. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain III, competency 005
In a manifestation determination, the team asks whether the conduct was caused by, or had a direct and substantial relationship to, the disability. What else must it ask?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.530. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain III, competency 007
In the PBIS framework, which tier adds targeted support that about 10 to 15 percent of students need?Center on PBIS, What is PBIS? Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain III, competency 007
Students may show what they learned through an essay, a recorded talk or a built model. Which Universal Design for Learning principle is this?CAST, Universal Design for Learning Guidelines 3.0. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain III, competency 006
Under 34 CFR 300.5, which item is outside the term "assistive technology device"?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.5. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain III, competency 006
Under IDEA, specially designed instruction adapts content, methodology or delivery to address a child's unique needs and to ensure what?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.39. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain III, competency 005
Under Texas rule, when may a school employee restrain a student who receives special education services?19 Texas Administrative Code §89.1053 (Legal Information Institute copy). Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain III, competency 007
Under the Texas definition of time-out, which setting is allowed?19 Texas Administrative Code §89.1053 (Legal Information Institute copy). Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain III, competency 007
Which of these is an assistive technology service under IDEA?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.6. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain III, competency 006
Collaboration and professional roles 10
A new art teacher will have a student with an IEP in class. What must the school ensure under the federal rule?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.323. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain IV, competency 008
A special education teacher and a counselor build a student's schedule. Under the federal placement rule, how often is placement determined, and on what is it based?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.116. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain IV, competency 008
A tenth grader is invited to the IEP meeting on her postsecondary goals but does not come. What must the school do?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.321. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain IV, competency 009
The district representative on an ARD committee must be knowledgeable about the general education curriculum and about what else?19 Texas Administrative Code §89.1050 (Legal Information Institute copy). Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain IV, competency 008
In Texas, how far ahead must parents receive written notice of an ARD committee meeting, unless they agree to less?19 Texas Administrative Code §89.1050 (Legal Information Institute copy). Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain IV, competency 008
In the parallel teaching model of co-teaching, how is the class arranged?Wikipedia, Co-teaching. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain IV, competency 008
Speech-language pathology, physical therapy and orientation and mobility services, when required to help a child benefit from special education, are what?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.34. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain IV, competency 009
Two teachers split the content. Each teaches one part at a center while groups rotate, and a third center runs independently. Which co-teaching model is this?Wikipedia, Co-teaching. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain IV, competency 008
Under IDEA, paraprofessionals may assist in providing special education when they are what?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.156. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain IV, competency 008
Which step does the federal parent participation rule require when a school schedules an IEP meeting?34 CFR Part 300, Assistance to States for the Education of Children with Disabilities, §300.322. Written to TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) Domain IV, competency 009
How this list was compiled: Our own questions, written to the exam framework of TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186) in Section 3 of the preparation manual on the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program website, https://www.tx.nesinc.com/Content/StudyGuide/TX_SG_obj_186.htm (copyright Texas Education Agency), read 2026-10-09: 90 selected-response questions and 1 constructed-response question in five domains, weighted about 18%, 18%, 27%, 18% and 20%. This bank holds 45 selected-response questions on Domains I to IV: 10, 10, 15 and 10. Domain V is the written response and has no questions here. Every fact was read on the public page named under its question, each opened 2026-10-09: 34 CFR Parts 300, 303 and 104 in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 19 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 89 in the Legal Information Institute copy, Texas Education Code Chapter 29, two Supreme Court opinions, the Center for Parent Information and Resources, the CAST UDL Guidelines, the Center on PBIS, the National Center on Intensive Intervention, the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, the Eberly Center at Carnegie Mellon University and Wikipedia. Licence: Questions, choices and explanations are original work of this site.
How it works
A free special education 161 practice test, updated for its replacement: 45 of our own questions on TExES Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186). Unofficial, and not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by the Texas Education Agency or Pearson.
Read the full guide
161 is retired, 186 replaced it
Special Education EC–12 (161) was last given on August 31, 2025. The exam program now lists Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186), and this page follows that framework.
Four domains here, one written
Domains I to IV are selected-response: law and learners 18%, assessment and program planning 18%, curriculum and instruction 27%, collaboration 18%. Domain V, 20%, is one written response to student data.
90 questions and one essay
The real exam asks 90 selected-response and 1 constructed-response question in 4 hours 45 minutes. No separate time is given for the questions, so Exam mode runs 45 with no clock.
Texas starts transition planning at 14; the federal rule says 16. Each question says which rule it asks about.
Law questions quote 34 CFR Part 300 and 19 TAC Chapter 89. After a miss, open the section and read the whole paragraph.
Questions and answers
Is this still a TExES sped 161 practice test?
The 161 exam is retired: its last administration was August 31, 2025. Its law and instruction topics carry over, but candidates now register for Special Education Specialist EC–12 (186), and these questions follow the 186 framework.
What is on the TExES Special Education 161 replacement?
Ten competencies in five domains: legal and ethical guidelines and knowledge of learners; assessment and program planning; curricular knowledge and instructional practices; professional collaboration, learning and responsibilities; and a written analysis and response.
What score passes the TExES Special Education EC 12 exam?
240, according to the exam's page on the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program site. That figure is scaled, so a count of right answers on a practice page cannot be turned into it.
Are these the real questions from the TExES Special Education EC-12 161 exam?
No. Every question was written for this site from a competency and the public source named beside it. The real exam and the manual's sample questions were not copied or reworded.