D662 - Section 1 Key Terms - WGU

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

a federal law that helps students with disabilities received the support they need to succeed in school

free and appropriate public education (FAPE)

a principle of IDEA that guarantees that students with disabilities can access educational services that are tailored to their needs without incurring costs

Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)

personalized plans outlining educational goals and support services for each student with a disability

least restrictive environment

a principle of IDEA that aims to include students with disabilities in general education classrooms to the maximum extent feasible

13 eligibility categories under IDEA

eligibility for special education services under IDEA depends on whether the child’s condition adversely impacts their education and falls within one of these outlined by the law

inclusive classrooms

classrooms that cater to all learning styles by employing various teaching strategies; tailors teaching for individual learners but also fosters a sense of belonging and acceptance among all students

general education classroom with support

a student spends the entire school day in a general education classroom but received additional support and services (tutoring, assistance from aids, specialized technology, related services, or accomodations)

partial mainstream/inclusion class room

a student splits their time between a general education classroom and a special education setting; may receive individual or small-group instruction in a separate classroom or be pulled out of class for certain services while spending most of their day in the general education setting

special education class

students participate in a specialized instructional program tailored to their specific learning needs

specialized program outside of the school district

placing a student in a program outside the local school district, such as private schools, residential programs, or hospital programs

differentiated instruction

adjusting teaching methods to meet individual student needs

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

an educational framework for designing flexible learning environments and curricula that provide all students— including those with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds— equitable access to learning opportunities

Council for Exceptional Children’s Standards for Professional Practice

standards teachers must adhere to in order to support all students effectively

Section 504

part of a civil rights law that ensures students with disabilities have equal access to education; prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in any program or activity that receives federal financial assistance

504 plans

provide accommodations and supports that remove barriers to learning and ensure equal access to education for students with disabilities

accommodations

changes or supports that help students access the same learning materials and complete the same assignments as their peers

modifications

a change to the content and skills that students are expected to learn or master

Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504

a civil rights law stating schools receiving federal funds must ensure equal educational access and provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities

Title III

federal legislation that focuses explicitly on English language acquisition to support academic success for ELs

English learners (ELs)

individuals who are learning English as a second (or third, etc.) language and thus have varying levels of proficiency in English and may need additional support to access the curriculum

limited English proficiency

students with language barriers that can hinder their academic progress

immigrant children and youth

individuals who are aged 3-21, not born in any state, and have not been attending schools in any state for more than 3 full academic years

Title III Language Instruction for English Learners and Immigrant Students

federal legislation that funds support for language instruction educational programs for English learners

home language survey

helps determine students needing language support services upon enrollment

Language Instruction Educational Programs (LIEP)

programs that are structured initiatives designed to facilitate the learning and acquisition of a particular language, focusing on aspects such as vocab, grammar, pronunciation, and cultural context