Inclusive Classrooms Key Terms

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

a federal law that helps students with disabilities receive 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 (LRE)

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 the IDEA depends on whether the child's condition adversely impacts their education and falls within one of the 13 specific eligibility categories outlined by the law.

inclusive classrooms

classrooms that cater to all learning needs by employing various teaching strategies; an approach that not only 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 receives additional support and services such as tutoring, assistance from aides, specialized technology, related services, or accommodations.

partial mainstream/inclusion classroom

a student splits their time between a general education classroom and a special education setting; they 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 various cultural and linguistic backgrounds—equitable access to learning opportunities.

roles and responsibilities of general education teachers

a variety of duties and expectations placed on general educators to ensure compliance with legal mandates and effectively support students with disabilities in inclusive classroom settings.

Council for Exceptional Children's Standards for Professional Practice

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

roles and responsibilities of special education teachers

a variety of duties and expectations placed on special education teachers to use evidence, instructional data, research, and professional knowledge to inform practice and advocate for professional conditions and resources that will enhance learning outcomes for individuals with disabilities.

Section 504

a civil rights law that ensures that 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 plan

a plan that provides 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

changes to the content and skills that students are expected to learn or master.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

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, were not born in any state in the U.S., and have not been attending schools in any state for more than three 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)

typically fall under federal laws, such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), and state-level education laws and policies; these programs are structured initiatives designed to facilitate the learning and acquisition of a particular language, focusing on aspects such as vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and cultural context.

special education

provides extra help to students who need it because of differences in how they learn or behave; this help is tailored to each student's needs, is documented in an IEP, and may include different teaching methods, unique materials, or extra support in the classroom.

disability

a condition that affects a person's body or mind, resulting in activity limitation (when certain activities are more challenging) and participation restrictions (limits to their interaction with the world around them).

impairment

when something is wrong with a person's body or mind like losing a limb, vision, or memory.

activity limitation

difficulty with tasks such as seeing, hearing, walking, or solving problems.

participation restrictions

limitations on everyday activities like working, socializing, enjoying recreational activities, or getting healthcare.

physical disability/mobility impairment

impedes a person's ability to move around freely or perform certain tasks independently due to limitations in physical function or mobility; can manifest as difficulty walking, standing, or using limbs effectively to grasp or lift objects.

assistive technology

devices and tools designed to enhance independence and accessibility for individuals with mobility or physical impairments.

sensory impairment

a condition that affects one or more of the senses, including sight, hearing, touch, taste, or smell.

other health impairments (OHI)

a range of medical conditions that adversely affect a person's health and educational performance; examples of OHI include but are not limited to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), asthma, and epilepsy.

dyslexia

a learning disorder that affects a person's ability to read, write, and spell accurately and fluently.

dyscalculia

a learning disorder that affects a person's ability to understand and manipulate numbers and mathematical concepts.

dysgraphia

a learning disorder that affects a person's ability to write coherently and effectively

attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and sometimes hyperactivity.

autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

a developmental disorder that affects communication, behavior, and social interaction

cerebral palsy

a group of disorders that affect a person’s ability to move and maintain balance and posture.

fragile X syndrome

a genetic disorder caused by changes in the FMR1 gene, resulting in the absence or deficiency of the FMRP protein; characterized by intellectual disability, learning disabilities, and behavioral challenges.

intellectual disabilities

limitations in a person's ability to learn at an expected level and function in daily life

Tourette syndrome

a condition of the nervous system that causes people to have tics, which are sudden twitches, movements, or sounds that people do repeatedly and cannot control.

mental disorders

common mental health conditions that children may experience

anxiety

persistent fears and worries that interfere with children’s activities at school, at home, or during play.

depression

persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or disinterest in activities they once enjoyed

oppositional defiant disorder (ODD)

persistent defiant behavior often leading to significant problems at home, school, or with peers.

conduct disorder (CD)

involves aggression toward others and serious violations of rules and social norms, which may result in legal issues or injuries.

obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

recurring unwanted thoughts and the urge to perform specific actions to alleviate anxiety, even if these behaviors seem irrational.

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

a disorder that develops in children who experience severe stress or trauma, leading to symptoms like reliving the event, nightmares, irritability, avoidance, and constantly seeking potential threats.

neurodiversity

embraces the idea that neurological differences—such as those associated with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, twice-exceptional, and other conditions—are a normal part of human diversity rather than disorders to be fixed

neurodivergence

refers to individuals whose neurological development diverges from typical or average.

speech disorders

disorders that cause difficulty forming specific sounds or words correctly or difficulties with fluency, such as stuttering

language disorders

issues with understanding and using language, which may include difficulty in comprehending words, constructing sentences, or expressing thoughts

aphasia

difficulty understanding or producing language due to brain injury

auditory processing disorder

a disorder that affects understanding the meaning of the sounds the ear receives

speech-language pathologists

specialists who support children with language or speech disorders in schools by collaborating with teachers, parents, and caregivers to develop tailored intervention plans for each child's needs.

student with culturally diverse needs

someone whose home language differs from English and whose cultural background may vary from the mainstream culture.

limited English proficiency (LEP)

describes people who have trouble speaking, reading, writing, or understanding English.

language minority students

students who speak a different language at home and might struggle with English in school.

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.

Language Instruction Educational Programs (LIEPs)

models of instruction for English learners that align with the goals of Title III to promote English proficiency, academic achievement, and cultural competence among ELs.

sheltered English instruction

helps EL students understand academic lessons in English using activities, visuals, and simplified language; teachers focus on teaching subjects like math and science.

structured English immersion

EL students learn all subjects in English, aiming for quick fluency in the language.

transitional bilingualism

uses both the student's primary language and English for instruction, helping them maintain skills in both languages while transitioning to English-only classes.

English as a Second Language

teaches EL students English language skills like speaking, reading, and writing, mainly using English with little support in the student's native language

dual language program

students learn in both English and another language, such as Spanish, to become bilingual and proficient in both languages across various subjects.

Stephen Krashen

a linguistics expert known for his second language acquisition theory, which encompasses five main hypotheses.

culturally responsive teaching

a proven teaching method that connects students' cultures, languages, and life experiences with what they learn in school.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL)

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