Special Education Lingo: A Beginners Glossary for Parents and Caretakers
- Jacob Fishbein
- Dec 19, 2023
- 2 min read
Navigating the world of special education can sometimes feel like learning a new language. Understanding the special education lingo is key to effective communication and advocacy. Here's a glossary of common terms and acronyms used in special education, designed to provide clarity and insight.
1. IEP (Individualized Education Program)
Description: A legally binding document that outlines the educational plan for a student with a disability. It includes specific learning goals, services, accommodations, and how progress will be measured.
2. FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education)
Description: A key legal right under IDEA, ensuring that students with disabilities receive an education tailored to their individual needs at no cost to the family.
3. LRE (Least Restrictive Environment)
Description: The principle that students with disabilities should be educated with their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate.
4. IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act)
Description: A federal law that requires schools to provide special education and related services to eligible students with disabilities.
5. 504 Plan
Description: A plan developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law receives accommodations in school. It is less comprehensive than an IEP and focuses on providing equal access to education.
6. Inclusion
Description: The practice of educating children with disabilities alongside their non-disabled peers in general education classrooms.
7. Transition Plan
Description: A section of the IEP, developed for students aged 16 (or younger, if appropriate), that outlines goals and services to prepare them for post-secondary life, including education, employment, and independent living.
8. Accommodations
Description: Modifications or adjustments to the teaching environment, curriculum format, or equipment that allows students with disabilities to access the curriculum and demonstrate their learning.
9. Modification
Description: Changes made to the curriculum or teaching method to help a student with a disability learn the material in a way that is appropriate for their ability level.
10. Related Services
Description: Additional services provided to students with disabilities to support their education, such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, or counseling.
11. Due Process
Description: A legal procedure ensuring fair treatment. In special education, it refers to a set of legal steps a parent can take if they disagree with the school’s decisions about their child’s education.
12. FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
Description: A federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.
This glossary is just the starting point in understanding the rich and complex language of special education. Each term unlocks a part of the larger picture, helping parents, educators, and advocates to communicate more effectively and work collaboratively towards the best educational outcomes for students with disabilities.