The field of education is not unique in its use of acronyms and initializations for brevity and quick reference. Although most of the terms below are commonly used and well-known among those in the education field, they frustrate communication when used without explanation to those who are unfamiliar with them.
The following is an attempt to provide a glossary of acronyms and initializations - along with some educational terms - and their descriptions that are used in Moore County Schools.
A-B-C-D-E-F-G-H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O-P-Q-R-S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z
Schools
AE - Aberdeen Elementary School
AP - Aberdeen Primary School
CAM - Cameron Elementary School
CAR - Carthage Elementary School
CC - Crain's Creek Middle School
CLC - Community Learning Center at Pinckney
EM - Elise Middle School
HF - Highfalls Elementary School
NC - New Century Middle School
NM - North Moore High School
PHS - Pinecrest High School
PE - Pinehurst Elementary School
RE - Robbins Elementary School
SFL - Sandhills Farm Life Elementary School
SM - Southern Middle School
SPE - Southern Pines Elementary School
SPP - Southern Pines Primary School
UP - Union Pines High School
VL - Vass-Lakeview Elementary School
WE - West End Elementary School
WPE - West Pine Elementary School
WPM - West Pine Middle School
WM - Westmoore Elementary School
Other
CO - Central Office
EC or Ed. Center - Education Center (Central Office annex located adjacent to the Community Learning Center at Pinckney Academy in Carthage.)
Educational Terms, Acronyms and Initializations Used in North Carolina
ABCs
Until the end of the 2011-12 school year, the ABCs of Public Education was North Carolina's comprehensive plan to improve public schools. Implemented in the 1996-97 school year, the model focused on schools meeting growth expectations for student achievement as well as on the overall percentage of students who scored at or above grade level. Schools received recognition based on student growth and the percentage of students' scores at or above grade level.
ACT - American College Test
This test is an assessment taken by students as a precursor to college/university admission.
ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act
ADA is a law that took effect in 1992 that defines “disability” and prohibits discrimination by employers, by any facility open to the general public and by state and local public agencies that provide such services as transportation (Public Law 101-336).
ADD - Attention Deficit Disorder
ADD is a neurobiological disorder. Typically, children with ADD have developmentally inappropriate behavior, including poor attention skills and impulsivity. These characteristics arise in early childhood, typically before age seven, are chronic and last at least six months. Children with ADD may also experience difficulty in the areas of social skills and self-esteem.
ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADHD is a neurobiological disorder; typically children with ADHD have developmentally inappropriate behavior, including poor attention skills, impulsivity and hyperactivity. These characteristics arise early in childhood, typically before age seven, are chronic and last at least six months. Children with ADHD may also experience difficulty in the areas of social skills and self-esteem.
ADM - Average Daily Membership
ADM is the number of days a student is in membership at a school divided by the number of days in a school month or school year.
Advocate
An advocate is an individual who represents or speaks on behalf of another person's interests (as in a parent with his/her child).
AIG - Academically/Intellectually Gifted
AP - Advanced Placement
AP is a program that enables high school students to complete college-level courses for college placement and/or credit.
APE - Adapted Physical Education
APE is a component of the educational curriculum in which physical, recreational and other therapists work with children who exhibit delays in motor development and perceptual motor skills. It is a related service some children might need in addition to or in place of physical education.
Aphasia
Aphasia is a communication disorder characterized by difficulty with producing language and/or with understanding language.
AMO - Annual Measurable Objectives
AMO are proficiency targets set by student subgroup at the state level with the goal to reduce by half the percentage of students considered non-proficient in reading and mathematics within six years.
APR - Annual Performance ReportAPR is submitted by each state to the United States Department of Education that provides data and information on compliance and results of special education for children with disabilities.
ASHA - American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
ASHA is the national professional association for speech and language therapists and audiologists.
ASL - American Sign Language
ASL is a method of communicating by using hand signs. Each sign represents either one word or a concept that is typically expressed with several spoken words. For words that do not have a sign, finger spelling is used.
Assessment
Assessment is the gathering of information by qualified personnel on a child's development and on the needs and priorities of the family. This information about the child and family is used in planning the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP).
AT - Assistive Technology
AT is any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Public schools are required to consider the assistive technology needs of students with disabilities.
AU - Autism
Autism is a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and non-verbal communication and social interaction.
Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder
This disorder involves developmental disabilities that share many of the same characteristics. Usually evident at age three, autism and PDD are neurological disorders that affect a child's ability to communicate, understand language, play and relate to others.
AYP - Adequate Yearly Progress
All public schools, in North Carolina and throughout the country, must measure and report AYP as outlined in the federal No Child Left Behind law. AYP measures the yearly progress of different groups of students at the school, district and state levels against yearly targets in reading and mathematics. Target goals are set for attendance and graduation rates as well. If a school misses one target, it does not make AYP.
AYP - Adequate Yearly Progress
Adequate Yearly Progress. A former measure under No Child Left Behind used by the state to gauge yearly progress of student subgroups toward meeting 100 proficiency in reading and mathematics. North Carolina received a waiver from the US Department of Education in 2012 to use AMO to gauge student progress toward meeting proficiency goals in reading and mathematics.
BA - Behavioral Assessment
BA is a gathering (through direct observation and by parent report) and analyzing information about a child's behavior. The information may be used to plan ways to help the child change unwanted behaviors. Observations include when a behavior occurs as well as the frequency and duration of the behavior.
BD - Behavior Disorders
BD is a term used by some states for children who exhibit difficulties with social interactions and inappropriate behavior that interferes with learning.
BT - Beginning Teacher (ILT)
BED - Behaviorally-Emotionally Disabled
BIA - Bureau of Indian Affairs
BIA is the government agency that oversees and assists the affairs of American Indians. It operates schools in 22 states.
BIP - Behavioral Intervention Plan
BIP is a plan that is put in place to teach a child proper behavior and social skills. It should be positive in nature, not punitive.
CD - Cognitive Delay
CD is a disability in which a child's intellectual and adaptive behavior is below average and impacts the child's education.
CEC - Council on Exceptional Children
The largest international professional organization dedicated to improving educational outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities, students with disabilities and/or the gifted.
CECAS - Comprehensive Exceptional Children Accountability System
CECAS is a secure Web-based student information system for exceptional children that supports online case management, compliance monitoring, data analysis and federal and state reporting requirements.
CEDARS - [NC] Common Education Data Analysis & Reporting System
CEDARS is North Carolina's PreK-13 State Longitudinal Data System. Once fully in place (July 2011), CEDARS will enable state, local and federal policymakers and service providers to make data-driven decisions based on analysis of trends and relationships between various educational factors and student performance over time.
CF - Child Find
CF is a required federal program that requires states to actively locate children, birth to age 21, with developmental disabilities or who are at risk for developmental disabilities. It particularly focuses on children not enrolled in school programs.
CHADD - Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
CHADD is a national organization that provides information, training and support for individuals interested and/or impacted by ADD/ADHD.
CIFMS - Continuous Improvement and Focused Monitoring System
CIFMS is the monitoring process used by the US Department of Education to check compliance and results of special education in states.
ClassScape
ClassScape is an online classroom assessment system that facilitates learning by focusing on curricular objectives. ClassScape enables teachers to monitor student performance on North Carolina Standard Course of Study academic indicators. The system also allows North Carolina teachers to build customized tests or use tests prepared by ClassScape.
Comprehensive Educational Evaluation
This evaluation involves tests and observations done by the school staff to find out if a child has a disability and requires special education and related services. The school's multi-disciplinary team is required to do this evaluation and hold a meeting with the parent to discuss the results. A parent may choose to share any evaluation and assessment information done by the child and family agency or by other qualified persons.
ConnectED
Phone messaging system that permits a voicemail, text message and/or email recorded to be sent to all employees and/or students.
COTA - Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant
COTA is an individual who has received special training and instruction in the area of occupational therapy.
CP - Cerebral Palsy
CP is a disorder of movement and posture control resulting from non-progressive damage to the brain during fetal life, the newborn period or early childhood. Both genetic and acquired factors may be involved. It may be caused by a lack of normal fetal brain development or by injury to the brain. The extent and location of the brain damage determine the type of cerebral palsy and the associated symptoms.
CSPD - Comprehensive System of Personnel Development
CSPD is a state or school plan to train and provide technical assistance for school staff and parents.
CTE - Career and Technical Education
CTE provides students with academic and technical skills, knowledge and training.
DB - Deaf-Blindness
CDB is concomitant hearing and visual impairments that cause severe communication, developmental and educational needs.
DD - Developmental Delayed or Developmental Disability
DD is any physical or mental condition that begins before the age of 18 years, causes the child to acquire skills at a slower rate than his/her peers, is expected to continue indefinitely and impairs the child's ability to function in society. This definition applies only to ages 3-7 in North Carolina.
Disability
Disability is a substantially limiting physical or mental impairment that affects basic life activities such as hearing, seeing, speaking, walking, caring for oneself, learning or working.
DOH - Department of Health
DOH is the government agency whose mission is to promote health and sound health policy, prevent disease and disability, improve health services systems and ensure that essential public health functions and safety net services are available.
Due Process
This is a process for resolving a dispute between the family and the child and family service agency related to the delivery of early intervention services. In special education, due process refers to a process for resolving a dispute between the family and the public school related to the identification, evaluation or placement of a child with disabilities.
DPH - Due Process Hearing
DPH is a legal proceeding, similar to a court proceeding, where a hearing officer is presented evidence by disagreeing parties. A verbatim record is taken of the proceedings and a hearing officer writes a decision that may be appealed to the state education agency and, if desired, to a civil court.
DPI - Department of Public Instruction
DPHO - Due Process Hearing Officer
A DPHO is the trained and neutral individual who conducts the due process hearing.
DSM-IV - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV
DSM-IV is the American Psychiatric Association's classification and description of behavioral and emotional disorders.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia is a learning disability in which the child has difficulty with reading due to difficulty distinguishing written symbols. For example, transposing letters and words such as reading “top” as “pot.”
Dyspraxia
Dyspraxia is difficulty with planning and performing coordinated movements although there is no apparent damage to muscles.
EA - Educational Assistant
An EA is a person who provides assistance to students under the supervision of the teacher.
EC - Exceptional Children
EC is the term used in North Carolina for “special education.”
ECAC - Exceptional Children's Assistance Center
ECAC is an advocacy group.
ED - Emotional Disturbance
ED is a condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects educational performance.
- An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory or health factors;
- An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers;
- Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances;
- A tendency to develop general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression; or
- A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems.
EDDIE - Educational Directory & Demographical Information Exchange
EDDIE is the authoritative source for North Carolina public school information including LEA numbers, school numbers, administrative contacts, school types, grade levels, calendar types, program types and addresses. Information contained in EDDIE is populated by local districts and feeds multiple NCDPI systems including Accountability, NC WISE, and NC School Report Cards, and is used to meet federal reporting requirements. EDDIE replaced the School, Name and Address (SNA) file in April 2010.
EI - Early Intervention
EI is specialized services provided to infants and toddlers ages birth to three who are at risk for or are showing signs of developmental delay.
ELL - English Language Learner
ELL is a student whose first language is one other than English and who needs language assistance to participate fully in the regular curriculum.
EMD - Educable Mentally Disabled
EMD is the description of someone with an IQ between 50 and 69.
EOC - End-of-Course
End-of-Course tests designed to access the competencies defined by the Standard Course of Study for three mandated courses: Algebra I/Integrated I, English II and Biology. Tests are taken during the last two weeks of school for students on a traditional calendar and the last week of the course for students on a block schedule.
EOG - End-of-Grade
End-of-Grade tests in reading and mathematics (grades 3-8) and science (grades 5 and 8) that are taken by students during the last three weeks of the school year.
ESEA - Elementary and Secondary Education Act
This is the principal federal law affecting K-12 education. When the ESEA of 1965 was reauthorized and amended in 2002, it was renamed the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act.
ESL - English as a Second Language
ESL is a program model that delivers specialized instruction to students who are learning English as a new language.
ESY - Extended School Year
ESY is the delivery of special education and related services during the summer vacation or other extended periods when school is not in session. The purpose for ESY is to prevent a child with a disability from losing previously learned skills. The IEP team must consider the need for Extended School Year at each meeting and must describe those services specifically with goals and objectives. Not all special education students require an extended school year. Extended school year services must be individually crafted.
EVAAS - Education Value Added Assessment System
SAS® EVAAS™ for K-12 is a customized software system available to all NC school districts that provides diagnostic reports quickly to district and school staff. EVAAS tools provide a precise measurement of student progress over time and a reliable diagnosis of opportunities for growth that help to identify which students are at risk for under-achievement. By viewing easy-to-understand charts and graphs accessed via the Web, users can produce reports that predict student success, show the effects of instruction at particular schools or reveal patterns in subgroup performance.
FAPE - Free Appropriate Public Education
FAPE is an individualized educational program that is designed to meet a child's unique needs and from which a child receives educational benefit.
FBA - Functional Behavior Assessment
FBA is a process that examines why a child behaves the way he or she does given the nature of the child and what is happening in the environment. It is a process for collecting data to determine the possible causes of problem behaviors and to identify strategies to address the behaviors.
FERPA - Family Education Rights and Privacy Act
FERPA is a federal law that protects the privacy and transfer of student education records.
FIT - Family Infant Toddler Program
FIT is a program that provides early intervention services to help families who have concerns about the development of their young child (birth to three).
FM - Focused Monitoring
FM is a monitoring approach that examines those requirements most closely relating to improving results for children with disabilities and those states most in need of support to improve compliance and performance.
FRL - Free and Reduced Priced Lunch
With FRL, children qualify, based upon parent or guardian financial status, to receive either free or reduced priced lunch through a federal governmental program.
Functional Behaviors
These are behaviors (basic skills, such as meal-time skills) the child has mastered or needs to master, in order to get along as independently as possible in society.
GACPD - Governor's Advocacy Center for Persons with Disabilities
GT - Gifted and Talented
GT are those students with above average intellectual abilities. In North Carolina, these students are described as “AIG” (Academically/Intellectually Gifted).
Head Start
This is a federal program (not operated by Moore County Schools) started in 1965 aimed at providing a comprehensive preschool program for children ages three to five from low-income families. Planned activities are designed to address individual needs and to help children attain their potential in growth and mental and physical development before starting school. Ten percent of enrollment is required to be for children with disabilities.
HI - Hearing Impaired
HIPAA - Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act
HIPAA is federal regulation that outlines the confidentiality and protection of medical records.
HQ - High Quality
See “NCLB.”
HRMS - Human Resources Management System
HRMS is a web-based application that provides the ability to submit applications to NC school districts via the web http://schooljobs.dpi.state.nc.us/ and provides school systems a tool to manage their applicant screening and hiring process, employment, benefit and evaluation. It also allows for a tight integration with the payroll system, eliminating the need for redundant data entry and maintenance. It provides online licensure information from DPI and provides an effective reporting tool.
ICC - Interagency Coordinating Council
IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
This federal law, reauthorized in 2004, is designed to ensure that all children with disabilities have available to them a free and appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment and independent living. It provides the legal authority for early intervention and special educational services for children birth to age 21. Part B outlines services for children ages three to 21. Part C outlines services for children birth to age three.
IEE - Individual Education Evaluation
IEE is an evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the school district responsible for the education of the child.
IEP - Individualized Education Program
The IEP is a written statement for a student with a disability that is developed, at least annually, by a team of professionals knowledgeable about the student and the parent. The plan describes the strengths of the child and the concerns of the parents for enhancing the education of their child and when, where and how often services will be provided. The IEP is required by federal law for all exceptional children and must include specific information about how the student will be served and what goals he or she should be meeting.
IFSP - Individual Family Service Plan
IFSP is the written document that defines the early intervention services provided to the child and family. The program is designed to meet the needs of the child and the family and is based on family-identified priorities.
IGP - Individual Growth Plan
IHCP - Individualized Health Care Plan
IHCP is a plan developed by the school nurse in collaboration with parents and teachers that outlines specific health care procedures to be provided to a student.
IHE - Institution of Higher Education
A college or university offering education beyond grade 12.
IIS - Instructional Improvement System
The IIS provides portals for students, teachers, parents and school and district administrators to access data and resources to inform decision-making related to instruction, assessment and students' career and college goals.
INTASC - Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium
This consortium developed INTASC Standards for beginning teachers to define the requisite knowledge, skills and dispositions a beginning teacher needs to achieve proficiency in the classroom.
Interagency Agreement
This is a document signed by authorized representatives of at least two agencies outlining mutually agreed upon responsibilities to perform certain duties under specified conditions.
Interagency Coordinating Council
This council is established for the purpose of advising and assisting in the development and implementation of quality services for infants and toddlers with disabilities. State councils are required by IDEA.
IPT - IDEA Proficiency Test
IPT is a test used to determine the appropriate assessment for limited English proficient students.
IQ - Intelligence Quotient
IQ is the score of an intelligence test that is a form of psychological testing of an individual's capacity to learn and deal effectively with his/her environment.
ISIS
The software used in Moore County Schools' Finance Department.
LA - Lead Agency
LD - Learning Disability
LD is a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or using spoken or written language, which may manifest itself in an imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell or do mathematical calculations.
LEA - Local Education Agency
This term is synonymous with a local school system or a local school district, indicating that a public board of education or other public authority maintains administrative control of the public schools in a city or county.
LEP - Limited English Proficient
LEP refers to students whose first language is one other than English who need language assistance to participate fully in the regular curriculum and the statewide assessment system.
LMS - Learning Management System
A software application that is used to administer, document, track, report and deliver educational courses or training programs.
LRE - Least Restrictive Environment
LRE is the placement that is as close as possible to the general education environment. This is the educational setting that permits a child to receive the most educational benefit while participating in a regular educational environment to the maximum extent appropriate. LRE is a requirement under the IDEA.
MD - Mentally Disabled
MPRRC - Mountain Plains Regional Resource Center
This is one of six Regional Resource Centers funded through the Office of Special Education Programs that provides technical assistance services to 10 states in the mountain plains area, as well as the Bureau of Indian Affairs. www.usu.edu/mprrc
MU - Multi-handicapped
Music Therapy
This is a therapeutic service to meet recreational or educational goals. Music therapy includes playing instruments, moving to music, singing and listening to music. It is utilized in a variety of applications in schools, hospitals and private settings through both individual and group approaches, often in conjunction with other types of therapy. Both music education and music therapy contribute to special education by promoting learning and self-growth through enjoyable activities.
NAEP - National Assessment of Educational Progress
This is also known as the “Nation's Report Card.” NAEP assesses the educational achievement of elementary and secondary students in various subject areas. It provides data for comparing the performance of students in North Carolina to that of their peers in the nation.
NASDSE - National Association of State Directors of Special Education
This is the national organization for state special education directors, which provides support in the delivery of quality education to children and youth with disabilities throughout the country. http://www.nasdse.org/
Natural Environment
This refers to the natural or everyday settings for a child. These are places where the child would be if she or she didn't have a special developmental concern. It is where all children would be (for example, home, childcare, parks, etc.).
NCCLAS - The North Carolina Checklist of Academic Standards
NCCLAS is an alternate assessment designed to measure grade-level competencies of students identified as limited English proficient and some students with disabilities.
NCDPI - The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction
NCDPI administers the policies adopted by the State Board of Education and offers instructional, financial, technological and personnel support to all public school systems in the state.
NCEES - The North Carolina Educator Evaluation System
A system used to evaluate the performance of all teachers, principals, assistant principals, instructional central office administrators and superintendents in order to promote effective leadership, quality teaching and student learning while enhancing professional practice that leads to improved instruction.
NCEXTEND1
The North Carolina EXTEND1 is an alternate assessment designed to measure the performance of students with significant cognitive disabilities using alternate achievement standards.
NCEXTEND2
The North Carolina EXTEND2 is an alternate assessment designed to measure grade-level competencies of students with disabilities using modified achievement standards in a simplified multiple choice format.
NCLB - No Child Left Behind
NCLB is the 2002 reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and represents a sweeping change in the federal government's role in local public education. NCLB's primary goal is for all public school children to be proficient or above in reading and mathematics by 2013-14. Title I schools that do not meet certain student achievement standards face sanctions under this law. NCLB requires that teachers be “highly qualified” (HQ), that teacher assistants be “qualified,” and that teachers have the opportunity for “high quality” professional development.
NCSCOS - North Carolina Standard Course of Study
NC WISE - North Carolina Window of Information for Student Education
This secure Web-based tool provides educators with direct and immediate access to a full spectrum of data on a student's entire career in the North Carolina schools.
NECTAC - National Early Childhood and Technical Assistance Center
NECTAC is the organization funded by the US Department of Education that provides technical assistance in the area of early childhood special education.
OCR - Office for Civil Rights
The Office for Civil Rights enforces several federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance from the Department of Education.
OCS - Occupational Course of Study
ODD - Oppositional Defiant Disorder
ODD is a disorder in which children who exhibit defiant and anti-social behaviors over a long period of time and environment.
OHI - Other Health Impaired
OHI is an educational classification that describes students who have chronic or acute health problems that cause limited strength, vitality or alertness that adversely affects a child's educational performance.
OI - Orthopedic Impairment
OI is any orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a child's educational performance.
O&M - Orientation and Mobility
These are services provided to the blind or visually impaired by qualified personnel to enable a child to safely move in school and other environments.
OSEP - Office of Special Education Programs
The OSEP is dedicated to improving results for infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing oversight, leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts. OSEP administers the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
OSERS - Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Services
OT - Occupational Therapy
OT - Occupational Therapist
An OT is a professional who provides therapy services based on engagement in meaningful activities of daily life such as self-care skills, education, recreation, work or social interaction.
P&A - Protection and Advocacy
Part B - Special Education—School-Aged Children
This is the section of the federal special education regulations that address school-aged children.
Part C - Special Education—Birth-Two Years Old
This is the section of the federal special education regulations that address children birth through two years.
PD 360
PD 360 is an on-demand library of professional teacher development resources that leverages technology to make professional learning more effective, convenient and sustainable. The site includes over 200 hours of research-based video content, plus tools for follow-up, tracking, reflection and group training.
PDD -- Pervasive Development Disorders
PDD refers to the overall category of Pervasive Developmental Disorders that includes autism, Rett Syndrome, Asperger's syndrome, PDD-NOS and Childhood Disintegrative Disorder.
P&A - Protection and Advocacy
The Protection and Advocacy System is a private, nonprofit organization that protects and promotes the rights of people with disabilities.
PEP - Personalized Education Plan
A PEP is an individualized educational plan designed to improve a student's performance to grade-level proficiency.
PEP - Principals' Executive Program
This preparation program for principals provides relevant and rigorous professional development opportunities based on the best current theories and practices.
Preschool Special Education
This is an educational program that is designed to meet the unique developmental needs of an individual child with a disability who is three, four or five years of age. It is a child-focused educational effort and is sometimes referred to Section 619 of the law.
PLEP - Present Levels of Educational Performance
PLEP are statements written in the IEP that accurately describe the student's strengths, weaknesses and learning styles.
PSAT - Preliminary SAT
The PSAT is normally taken by high school juniors as a practice test for the SAT. Some schools use the PSAT as a diagnostic tool to identify areas where students may need additional assistance or placement in more rigorous courses.
PT - Physical Therapist
A PT is a professional who is devoted to improving a person's physical abilities through activities that strengthen muscular control and motor coordination.
PTIC - Parent Training and Information Center
Each state has a Parent Training and Information Center to assist parents of children with disabilities to become more knowledgeable about special education and their child's disability.
PWN - Prior Written Notice
Parents of exceptional children must be informed of their rights in writing. It is a form that the school must use to tell parents why they're doing what they're doing or why they're not doing what they're not doing.
RRC - Regional Resource Center
Funded by the US Department of Education, there are six RRCs that provide technical assistance in special education for state education agencies.
SA - Self-Assessment
The State Steering Committee uses current and reliable data to analyze how successful the state has been achieving compliance and positive results for children with disabilities.
SAS - Student Accountability Standards
Statewide standards North Carolina public schools students are required to meet as one consideration for promotion from grades 3, 5 and 8 and high school graduation.
SAT - Formerly Scholastic Assessment Test, and before that, Scholastic Aptitude Test
The SAT is often taken by high school juniors and seniors as a precursor to college/university admission. It assesses a student's verbal, mathematical and writing skills.
SAT - Student Assistance Team
The SAT is made up of a variety of educators who provide the teacher with ideas for interventions in the classroom.
SBE - State Board of Education
The State Board of Education is charged with supervising and administering “the free public school system and the educational funds provided for its support.” The Board consists of the Lieutenant Governor, the Treasurer and eleven members appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the General Assembly in Joint Session.
SCOS or SCS - North Carolina Standard Course of Study
The NC SCOS is the guiding document outlining what should be taught in North Carolina public school classrooms.
Screening
Screening is the process of looking at a child's development to find out if there are any areas of concern. It is used to recommend children for more in-depth evaluation. SEA - State Education Agency
SEA - State Education Agency
SEA is the federal term for each state education department. SEA is another name for NCDPI.
SEAP - State Special Education Advisory Panel
SEAP is an advisory panel required by federal law in each state for the purpose of providing policy guidance with respect to special education and related services for children with disabilities in the state.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
This is a federal law that protects the civil rights of individuals with disabilities. This law is closely intertwined with IDEA. Children with disabilities who are not eligible for special education may qualify for accommodations under Section 504.
Section 619 - Special Education—3-5 Years Old
This is the authorizing section of Part B of IDEA that requires states to provides preschool services to children with disabilities, ages three to five.
Self-Stimulation
Self-stimulation is often referred to as stemming. These are abnormal behaviors, such as head banging, watching fingers wiggle or rocking side to side, that interfere with the child's ability to sit still and pay attention or to participate in meaningful activity.
SI or SID - Sensory Integration Disorder
SI or SID is also known as Sensory Integration Dysfunction. The inability to process information received through the senses, causing problems with learning, development and behavior.
SI - Sensory Integration Treatment
This is a technique of occupational therapy that provides playful, meaningful activities that enhance an individual's sensory intake and lead to more adaptive functioning in daily life.
SI - Speech/Language Impaired
SL Disorders - Speech and Language Disorders
SIG - State Improvement Grant
SIG is a competitive grant offered by the US Department of Education to states. The purpose is to improve special education services in the state.
SIMS - Student Information Management System
SIMS is a state-level warehouse of student information (for example, attendance, course information and other data that must be reported on a state and federal level). This system is currently being replaced by NC WISE.
SIP - School Improvement Plan
SIP is a plan that includes strategies for improving student performance, how and when improvements will be implemented, use of state funds, requests for waivers, etc. Plans are in effect for no more than three years.
SIT - School Improvement Team
The SIT is the team charged with developing the School Improvement Plan (SIP).
SL - Speech Language
SL Disorders - Speech and Language Disorders
Speech and language disorders are problems in communication and related areas such as oral motor function. These delays and disorders range from simple sound substitutions to the inability to understand or use language or use the oral-motor mechanism for functional speech and feeding. Some causes of speech and language disorders include hearing loss, neurological disorders, brain injury, mental retardation, drug abuse, physical impairments such as cleft lip or palate and vocal abuse or misuse. Frequently, however, the cause is unknown.
SLD - Specific Learning Disability
SLD is a disorder that affects the ability to listen, think, speak, read, spell or do mathematical calculations.
SLP - Speech Language Pathologist
A SLP is a trained therapist who provides treatment to help a person develop or improve articulation, communication skills and oral-motor skills. SLPs also help children with speech errors and/or those with difficulties in language patterns.
SP1 - Standard Professional 1
SP2 - Standard Professional 2
Special Education
Special Education is specialized instruction tailor-made to fit the unique learning strengths and needs of students with disabilities. A major goal of special education is to teach the skills and knowledge the child needs to be as independent as possible. Special education programs focus on academics and also include therapy and other related services to help the child overcome difficulties in all areas of development. These services may be provided in a variety of educational settings but are required by IDEA to be delivered in the least restrictive environment. In Moore County Schools, the term used is “exceptional children.”
SPMD - Severely-Profoundly Mentally Disabled
SPMD children have an IQ below 30.
SSO - Single Sign-On
This term refers to users logging into several technology tools using one sign-on name and password.
STO - Short Term Objective
The STO is part of a child's IEP that breaks down an annual goal into small measurable steps.
TA - Teacher Assistant
Tactile Defensiveness
This is an abnormal sensitivity to touch indicated by avoidance or rejection of touching and handling. The child who has tactile defensiveness may resist touching or being touched by something that is wet, that is an unusual texture or that is an unfamiliar temperature or pressure.
TAT - Teacher Assistance Team
The TAT is a team of general education staff trained to assist school personnel and parents in solving difficult instructional and behavioral challenges. It is also known as a prereferral team of a school based support team.
TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury
TBI is physical damage to the brain that could result in physical, behavioral or mental changes depending on which area of the brain is injured. TBI could impact a student's education; special education services might be needed.
TDD/TTY - Telecommunications Device for the Deaf
This is an assistive technology device attached to a telephone to enable individuals who are deaf to communicate with others.
Therapy
Therapy is treatment for certain physical or psychological conditions. The most common forms of therapy provided through early intervention and special education include occupational therapy, physical therapy and speech/language therapy.
TIMS - Transportation Information Management System
TIMS is the computer system used by North Carolina school districts for routing and scheduling school buses to ensure safe and efficient bus routes.
Title I
Title I is the largest federal education funding program for schools. Its aim is to help students who are behind academically or at risk of falling behind. School funding is based on the number of low-income children, generally those eligible for the free and reduced price lunch program. Many of the major requirements in the No Child Left Behind federal law are outlined in Title I - Adequate Yearly Progress, teacher and paraprofessional standards, accountability, sanctions for schools designated for improvement, standards and assessments, annual state report cards, professional development and parent involvement. Title I used to be known as Chapter I.
Title III
Title III is the section of No Child Left Behind that provides funding and addresses English language acquisition and standards and accountability requirements for limited English proficient students.
Title IX
Title IX is the section of the Educational Amendments of 1972 that bans sex discrimination in schools receiving federal funds, whether it is in academics or athletics.
TPAI-R - Teacher Performance Appraisal Instrument - Revised
The TPAI-R is the validated teacher evaluation system used in many North Carolina School districts, including Moore County Schools.
TMD - Trainable Mentally Disabled
TMD is the description of someone with an IQ between 30 and 49.
Transition
Transition is the movement from one service, location or program to another. Young children with disabilities transition at age three from early intervention to preschool special education services or to other community settings and services (early intervention and special education). Adolescents transition from school to adult services.
Transportation
Transportation is a related service. If it is determined that a child needs this service to benefit from his or her education, the school district must provide the transportation, contract with another agency or contract with the parents to bring their child to school. Transportation could mean round trip, home-to-school and school-to-home services.
TWC - [North Carolina] Teacher Working Conditions [Survey]
A biennial survey of all North Carolina public schools' licensed staff, the TWC survey provides educators with an opportunity to express their perceptions about working conditions at their schools. Information gathered from the survey is shared with school staff, district administrators, parents and the community for school improvement planning purposes. Survey results are available online at www.ncteachingconditions.org. In addition, the new evaluation instruments for superintendents, principals and teachers use TWC responses to reflect on the presence of working conditions in the school.
USDE - United States Department of Education
The USDE provides guidance, fiscal support and technical assistance to the states.
VI - Visual Impairment
VI is impairment in vision that, even with correction, adversely affects a child's educational performance.
VoCATS - Vocational Competency Achievement Tracking System
A statewide computerized instructional management system used primarily in secondary career and technical education (CTE).
VR - Vocational Rehabilitation
VR is a program of rehabilitation through job training focusing on the participant moving toward gainful employment.
Sources
Copenhaver, John. (2005). “A Parent Primer on Special Education Acronyms, Abbreviations and Definitions.” North Logan, Utah: Mountain Plains Regional Resource Center.
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. “Education Acronyms.” Retrieved December 21, 2006. http://www.ncpublicschools.org/acronyms.