Words to know

Words and acronyms

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504 plan

A written plan that lists the accommodations and supports a student gets under Section 504.

AAC

Augmentative and alternative communication: tools like picture boards or speech devices that help a person communicate.

Accommodation

A change in how a student learns or shows learning, such as extra time or large print, without changing what is taught.

Accommodations vs modifications

Accommodations change how a student learns; modifications change what a student learns.

ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act, a federal civil rights law that also protects students with disabilities from discrimination.

Age of majority

The age when state law treats a person as an adult, often 18; IDEA rights may move to the student then. (34 CFR 300.520)

Alternate assessment

A different state test for students who cannot take the regular test even with accommodations; the IEP must explain why. (34 CFR 300.320(a)(6))

Annual goal

A measurable skill your child should reach in one year, written in the IEP. (34 CFR 300.320(a)(2))

Assistive technology (AT)

Any device or tool that helps a child do things they otherwise could not do as well, plus help choosing and using it. (34 CFR 300.5)

AU

Short for autism, one of the IDEA disability categories. (34 CFR 300.8(c)(1))

BCBA

Board Certified Behavior Analyst, a professional who designs behavior support plans.

BIP

Behavior Intervention Plan: a plan that teaches new skills and changes the setting to reduce behavior that gets in the way of learning. (34 CFR 300.530(f))

Case manager

The school staff member who is your main contact for your child's IEP.

Child Find

The duty of every state and school district to find and evaluate children who may have disabilities. (34 CFR 300.111)

Child with a disability

Under IDEA, a child who has one of the listed disabilities and needs special education because of it. (34 CFR 300.8(a))

Compensatory services

Extra services to make up for services a child should have received but did not. (34 CFR 300.151(b))

Consent

Your written agreement after the school fully explains what it wants to do. It is voluntary and can be taken back. (34 CFR 300.9)

Continuum of placements

The range of settings a school must have, from regular class with support to special schools, home, or hospital. (34 CFR 300.115)

CPRC

Community Parent Resource Center: a local parent center that serves families in a specific community.

DB

Short for deaf-blindness, an IDEA disability category. (34 CFR 300.8(c)(2))

DD

Developmental delay: a category some states use for children ages 3 to 9 who are behind in development. (34 CFR 300.8(b))

Due process complaint

A formal written complaint that asks for a hearing before an impartial hearing officer. (34 CFR 300.507)

Dyscalculia

A learning disability that affects math.

Dysgraphia

A learning disability that affects writing.

Dyslexia

A learning disability that affects reading. Schools may use this word in evaluations and IEPs. (34 CFR 300.8(c)(10))

ED

Short for emotional disturbance, an IDEA category for emotional or behavior conditions that last a long time and hurt school performance. (34 CFR 300.8(c)(4))

Education records

Records the school keeps about your child. You have the right to see them. (34 CFR 300.613)

Eligibility

The team decision about whether your child qualifies for special education. (34 CFR 300.306)

Endrew F.

A 2017 U.S. Supreme Court case that says an IEP must be designed so a child can make progress appropriate for the child's circumstances. (OSERS Questions and Answers on Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District Re-1, December 7, 2017 (Q15))

Equitable services

Services a district chooses to offer to children whose parents placed them in private school. (34 CFR 300.137)

ESA

Educational service agency: a regional public agency that helps school districts provide services. (34 CFR 300.12)

ESY

Extended school year: special education services given beyond the normal school year when needed for FAPE. (34 CFR 300.106)

Evaluation

The tests and information the school uses to decide if a child has a disability and what the child needs. (34 CFR 300.304)

FAPE

Free appropriate public education: special education and related services at no cost to families, based on an IEP. (34 CFR 300.17)

FBA

Functional behavioral assessment: a study of when, where, and why a behavior happens, used to build a behavior plan. (34 CFR 300.530(d)(1)(ii))

FERPA

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law about your right to see and protect your child's school records. (34 CFR 99.10)

General education curriculum

The same lessons and standards taught to students without disabilities. (34 CFR 300.320(a)(1))

HI

Short for hearing impairment, an IDEA disability category. (34 CFR 300.8(c)(5))

IAES

Interim alternative educational setting: a temporary placement used in some discipline cases. (34 CFR 300.530(g))

ID

Short for intellectual disability, an IDEA disability category. (34 CFR 300.8(c)(6))

IDEA

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the federal special education law (20 U.S.C. 1400 and following).

IEE

Independent educational evaluation: an evaluation by someone who does not work for the school, sometimes paid by the school. (34 CFR 300.502)

IEP

Individualized Education Program: the written plan for your child's special education and services. (34 CFR 300.22)

IEP Team

The group, including you, that writes and reviews the IEP. (34 CFR 300.321)

IFSP

Individualized Family Service Plan: the plan for early intervention services for babies and toddlers. (34 CFR 300.323(b))

Inclusion

Teaching students with disabilities in regular classes with the supports they need.

Informal removal

Sending a child home or out of class for behavior without calling it a suspension. It can count as a removal. (OSEP Q&A 22-02, Questions and Answers: Addressing the Needs of Children with Disabilities and IDEA's Discipline Provisions, July 19, 2022 (Questions C-1, C-3, C-6))

LEA

Local educational agency, usually your school district. (34 CFR 300.28)

LRE

Least restrictive environment: learning with children without disabilities as much as appropriate. (34 CFR 300.114)

Manifestation

When a behavior is caused by, or closely tied to, a child's disability. (34 CFR 300.530(e))

MD

Short for multiple disabilities, an IDEA disability category. (34 CFR 300.8(c)(7))

MDR

Manifestation determination review: a meeting to decide if a behavior was caused by the disability or by the school not following the IEP. (34 CFR 300.530(e))

Mediation

A free, voluntary meeting with a neutral person who helps you and the school reach agreement. (34 CFR 300.506)

Modification

A change in what a student is expected to learn, such as fewer or different learning goals.

MTSS

Multi-tiered system of supports: a school-wide way to give extra help in levels. It cannot delay an evaluation. (OSERS Dear Colleague Letter on IDEA/IEP Terms (dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia), October 23, 2015)

O&M

Orientation and mobility: teaching a student who is blind or has low vision to move around safely. (34 CFR 300.34(a))

OCR

The U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights, which enforces Section 504 and the ADA in schools.

OHI

Other health impairment: an IDEA category for conditions like ADHD, epilepsy, or diabetes that limit strength, energy, or alertness. (34 CFR 300.8(c)(9))

OI

Short for orthopedic impairment, an IDEA disability category. (34 CFR 300.8(c)(8))

OSEP

Office of Special Education Programs, the federal office that oversees IDEA.

OSERS

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services, the federal office that includes OSEP.

OT

Occupational therapy: help with fine motor, sensory, and daily living skills. (34 CFR 300.34(a))

P&A

Protection and Advocacy agency: a group in every state that gives free legal help to people with disabilities.

Paraprofessional

A school aide who helps students under a teacher's direction.

Parent (IDEA meaning)

A birth or adoptive parent, foster parent in some states, guardian, relative the child lives with, or surrogate parent. (34 CFR 300.30)

Part B

The part of IDEA for children ages 3 through 21.

Part C

The part of IDEA for infants and toddlers under age 3 (early intervention). (34 CFR 300.25)

PBIS

Positive behavioral interventions and supports: teaching and rewarding good behavior. IEP teams must consider it when behavior affects learning. (34 CFR 300.324(a)(2)(i))

PLAAFP / PLOP

Present levels of academic achievement and functional performance: the IEP section on what your child can do now. (34 CFR 300.320(a)(1))

Placement

Where and how your child receives special education services. (34 CFR 300.116)

Pre-ETS

Pre-employment transition services: job readiness help that VR agencies offer to students with disabilities.

Procedural safeguards

Your legal rights under IDEA, explained in a written notice from the school. (34 CFR 300.504)

Progress report

A report on how your child is doing on IEP goals, given on the schedule in the IEP. (34 CFR 300.320(a)(3))

PT

Physical therapy: help with large movements like walking, balance, and strength. (34 CFR 300.34(a))

PTI

Parent Training and Information Center: a free, federally funded center in every state that helps families understand their rights. (20 U.S.C. 1471(b) (Parent Training and Information Centers))

PWN

Prior written notice: the school's written explanation of what it will or will not do, and why. (34 CFR 300.503)

Reevaluation

A new evaluation at least every 3 years, or sooner if needed. (34 CFR 300.303)

Related services

Services that help a child benefit from special education, like transportation, speech, OT, PT, counseling, and school nurse services. (34 CFR 300.34)

Resolution meeting

A required meeting within 15 days after a parent files for due process, to try to settle. (34 CFR 300.510)

Resource room

A separate room where a student goes for part of the day for extra help. (34 CFR 300.115(b)(2))

Revocation of consent

Taking back your consent for special education services, in writing. (34 CFR 300.300(b)(4))

RTI

Response to intervention: giving extra help and checking progress. It cannot delay or deny an evaluation. (OSEP Memo 11-07, January 21, 2011 (A Response to Intervention (RTI) Process Cannot Be Used to Delay-Deny an Evaluation for Eligibility under IDEA))

School day

Any day, including a partial day, that children attend school for instruction. Partial days count in discipline. (34 CFR 300.11(c))

SDI

Specially designed instruction: teaching that is changed to meet your child's unique needs. This is what special education is. (34 CFR 300.39)

SEA

State educational agency, usually your state department of education. (34 CFR 300.41)

Section 504

A federal civil rights law that bans disability discrimination in schools and programs that get federal money. (34 CFR 104.4)

Self-contained class

A special class where students with disabilities spend most of the day.

Services plan

The written plan for services a district gives to a child placed in private school by parents. (34 CFR 300.137(c))

SLD

Specific learning disability: trouble with reading, writing, math, listening, or speaking that is not mainly caused by other factors. (34 CFR 300.8(c)(10))

SLI

Speech or language impairment, an IDEA disability category. (34 CFR 300.8(c)(11))

SLP

Speech-language pathologist: a therapist who helps with speech, language, and communication. (34 CFR 300.34(a))

Special education

Specially designed instruction at no cost to parents to meet a child's unique needs. (34 CFR 300.39)

State complaint

A written complaint to your state education agency about a broken IDEA rule, decided within 60 days. (34 CFR 300.152)

Stay put

The rule that your child stays in the current placement while a due process case is going on. (34 CFR 300.518)

Summary of Performance (SOP)

A summary the school gives when a student graduates with a regular diploma or ages out, with advice for life after school. (34 CFR 300.305(e)(3))

Supplementary aids and services

Supports that help a child learn in regular classes and activities with peers. (34 CFR 300.42)

Surrogate parent

A person appointed to make education decisions when no parent is available. (34 CFR 300.519)

TBI

Traumatic brain injury, an IDEA disability category for brain injury caused by outside force. (34 CFR 300.8(c)(12))

Transfer of rights

When IDEA rights move from parent to student at the age of majority. (34 CFR 300.520)

Transition services

Activities that help a student move from school to work, more education, and adult life. (34 CFR 300.43)

Travel training

Teaching a student to travel safely, such as using a bus. (34 CFR 300.39(a)(2)(ii))

VI

Visual impairment including blindness, an IDEA disability category. (34 CFR 300.8(c)(13))

VR

Vocational rehabilitation: a state agency that helps people with disabilities prepare for and find jobs. (34 CFR 300.324(c)(2))

What each state calls it