Educational Jargon

Assistive Technology

Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability.

CCSS--Common Core State Standards

Academic standards for grades K-12.

Cooperative Learning

Students join together in small groups to participate in a learning activity.

Direct Instruction

ELA: English Language Arts

ELD: English Language Development

ELL--English Language Learners

Students who have a primary language other than English and have been identified.

IEP--Individualized Education Plan

If a student has an IEP, it means the school has already qualified this student to receive specialized instruction to meet their educational needs. IEP's are legal documents. The details outlined in the IEP must be folllowed by school personnel. Teachers may ask you to provide specific instruction or engage with a child in a specific way in order to meet the student's IEP.

Inclusion

MAPS

A special program/classroom for students who have special needs and or disabilities.

PALS

A special program/classroom for students with disabilities who require intensive support.

PBIS--Positive Behavior Intervention Support

A school-wide system to support positive behavior and address discipline within the schools.

Pedagogy

The method and practice of teaching, especially as an academic subject or theoretical concept.

RESOURCE

Resource is a service provided to struggling students who often times have identified disabilities in a particular area. Students receive additional academic help from the special education teacher according to their IEP.

RTI--Response to Intervention

A student may be placed in an intervention to help address specific educational struggles. This step is usually taken before a student is considered for special education. A student can participate in an intervention without having an IEP.

Rubric

A chart teachers make and use to explain learning expectations and grade assignments.

SLP--Speech and Language Pathologist

A person specialized and licensed to support students with speech issues.

SMARTER BALANCED

State assessments aligned to the Common Core State Standards

STEM--Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Curriculum based on four specific disciplines: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math