Special Education Terms

Adaptive Physical Education (APE)

Physical education adapted to address individualized needs of children with disabilities.

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)

Former measure under No Child Left Behind to gauge yearly progress of student subgroups.

Assistive technology (AT)

Devices aiding individuals with disabilities, such as visual aids or special equipment.

Career and Technical Education (CTE)

Provides high school students courses in eight program areas to explore interests and careers.

Generalization and maintenance

Extent to which students extend learning across settings and over time.

Multilingual Learner (ML)

Student needing language assistance due to a first language other than English.

End-of-Grade (EOG) tests

Reading and math tests (grades 3-8) and science tests (grades 5 and 8) taken at the end of the school year.

English Language Development (ELD)

Program model providing specialized instruction to students learning English as a new language.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

Law regarding the education of children with disabilities.

Free and appropriate education (FAPE)

Part of IDEA ensuring all children receive a free, appropriate public education.

Zero reject

Part of IDEA requiring schools to educate all children with disabilities.

Least restrictive environment (LRE)

Part of IDEA stating students with disabilities should be educated with non-disabled peers.

Shared decision making

Part of IDEA requiring schools to collaborate with parents and students with disabilities.

Due process

Part of IDEA ensuring schools protect the rights of students with disabilities.

Nondiscriminatory identification and evaluation

Part of IDEA requiring unbiased methods to evaluate if a child has a disability.

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

Legal document specifying a student's educational goals, learning environment, and services.

Local Education Agency (LEA)

Public authority controlling public schools in a city or county.

Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)

Framework promoting school improvement through academic and behavioral practices.

Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)

Plan based on functional behavioral assessment to address behaviors.

Related services

Transportation, counseling, therapy required to meet a student's IEP goals.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR)

Service to help individuals with disabilities with employment or vocational training.

Task analysis

Breaking down complex behaviors into smaller subtasks for teaching.

Specific learning disabilities (SLD)

Disorder affecting language, listening, speaking, writing, or mathematical abilities.

Serious Emotional Disorder (SED)

Behavioral responses affecting educational performance.

Autism (AU)

Developmental disability affecting verbal & nonverbal communication and social interactions, with repetitive behavior and unusual sensory responses.

Speech or language impairments (SLI)

Disorder affecting articulation, fluency, voice, or language.

Deafness

Inability to use hearing to understand speech even with amplification.

Visual impairment (VI)

Impairment in vision affecting educational performance.

Hearing impairment (HI)

Significant hearing loss requiring special adaptations.

Multiple Disabilities

When an individual has two or more disabilities.

Deaf-blindness (DB)

Impairments to vision and hearing causing severe communication needs.

Intellectual disability (ID)

Below average IQ with adaptive behavior deficits impacting performance.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

Brain injury causing disability affecting educational performance.

Orthopedic impairment (OI)

Physical conditions impairing mobility or motor activity.

Other health impairment (OHI)

Chronic health difficulties limiting vitality and alertness.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Chronic condition with inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Cerebral Palsy (CP)

Disorder of voluntary motor function due to brain lesion or abnormality.

Muscular dystrophy (MD)

Inherited disorders with progressive muscle atrophy.

Epilepsy

Abnormal electrochemical activity of the brain causing temporary loss of muscle control.

Spina bifida

Congenital defect in vertebrae enclosing the spinal cord.

Academically or Intellectually Gifted (AIG)

Students demonstrating high academic, artistic, or leadership skills.

Positive behavioral support

Constructing individualized interventions using assessment data.

Individualized family services plan (IFSP)

Document prescribing early intervention services for young children with disabilities.

Individualized transition plan (ITP)

Legal document aiding exceptional children in transitioning to vocational skills.

Paraprofessional

Individual providing support under supervision of qualified personnel.

Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP)

Statement on the IEP describing the child's current knowledge and skills.

Physical therapist (PT)

Health professional restoring physical and gross motor movements.

Occupational therapist (OT)

Professional helping restore independence in daily living and job tasks.

Speech language pathologist (SLP)

Professional specializing in communication and swallowing disorders.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act(FERPA)

Law that protects the confidentiality ofeducational records