GLOSSARY

Under IDEA, students qualify for IEPs delivered by SPED departments to meet FAPE.

Does this make sense or sound completely foreign?

First off, let’s break down the terms above:

IDEA refers to America’s Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. IDEA was first passed in 1975 and every few years, the law gets updated (a process called reauthorization).

IEP Individualized Education Program. An IEP refers to the document that outlines the special education instruction, supports, and services a student needs for their individual (hence the word in the name) needs.

SPED SPecialized EDucation refers to specially designed instruction designed to meet the unique individual needs of students with disabilities (including but not limited to dyslexia). In the public education system, it is at no cost to parents per FAPE.

FAPE = Free And Appropriate Education. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects the rights of individuals with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance, including federal funds. “Meeting FAPE” is an expression associated with the term. Understood.org breaks down the basics of FAPE simply and clearly.

The terms above and below are quick-hit layman’s definitions to help ground understanding. Usage of of these terms often has consequences legally. We recommend consulting with lawyer or an experienced advocate if you have questions or need counsel.

More acronyms - definitions coming soon!

ABA Applied Behavior Analysis

AP Advanced Placement. A program created by the College Board that offers college-level classes and exams for high school students.

BSEA Bureau of Special Education Appeals

DESE Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

EI Early Intervention

ESY Extended School Year

IEE Independent Evaluation

LMB Lindamood-Bell. A multi-sensory methodology.

PT Physical Therapy

RR Re-Evaluation Report

SD School District

LRE Least Restrictive Environment

SLD Specific Learning Disability

SLP Speech Language Pathologist

OG Orton-GIllingham. A multi-sensory methodology.

OOD Out of District

OT Occupational Therapy

PWN Prior Written Notice

More helpful terms - expanded list and definitions coming soon…:

Stay Put

Team Meeting

IEP Amendment

Substantially separate classroom

Screening vs Diagnosing

Para

SPED Certification

504

Language-Based Learning

Language-Based Classroom

Language-Based School

In District

Push Out Services

Pull In Services

The Grid/Service Grid

Access

Progress

Wrightslaw

District funded

Transportation

Core Evaluation

Neuropsychological Evaluation or Neuropsych

Progress Monitoring

Auditory Processing

Vision Tracking

Transition Services

Transition Plan

Vocational Programming

Multi-sensory

Methodology

Per Pupil Spend