Common school phrases, terms and acronyms.
Accommodation: An accommodation is a change or adaptation that helps a student overcome or work with their disability. The content that the child is expected to learn does not change with an accommodation. These supports and services assist a student with accessing the general curriculum and demonstrating learning.
Achievement Gap: An education achievement gap is the difference in academic performance or graduation rates between groups of students, and may be influenced by a wide variety of societal factors. Whether an achievement gap is widening or closing over time can play an important role in education policy.
Adaptive Behavior: In Special Education, adaptive behavior refers to an individual’s ability to act socially appropriate and personally responsible. Educators generally measure this by identifying how well the individual manages in their own environment.
Annual Measurable Objectives (AMO): unique yearly targets in reading and mathematics in WA’s Elementary and Secondary Education Act
(ESEA) Flexibility Request.
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP): Schools, districts, and states are held accountable for student performance through the No Child Left Behind Act; however, each state has the freedom to define adequate yearly progress. This measure tracks the progress a school is making towards the goal of having all students proficient. State assessments in reading/language arts and math are a big factor in adequate yearly progress.
Advanced Placement (AP) Program: The Advanced Placement (AP) program gives high school students the opportunity to take college-level work. AP classes can be a rewarding experience for students looking for a challenge. Plus, by taking AP exams, students can earn credit accepted at many colleges and universities. You can search prospective colleges at the College Board to learn more about what AP courses they award credit for.
Alternative Learning Experience (ALE): The Alternative Learning Experience (ALE) is public education where some or all of the instruction is delivered outside of a regular classroom schedule. It is available to all public school districts in Washington state. The intent of ALE is to ensure that students have educational opportunities designed to meet their individualized needs. ALE follows all public education requirements as well as Chapter 392-550 WAC. In Meridian, MP3 is offered as an ALE.
American with Disabilities Act (ADA): The American with Disabilities Act is a law enacted in 1990 that gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities. This law protects people with disabilities at work, school, and in public places.
Assessment: Assessments are ways of collecting information about a student’s strengths, needs, and interests. People generally think of assessments as tests. But, they can also include observation, record review, and talking with the student and/or parents.
Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD): The statewide association comprised of leadership from each of Washington’s nine
Educational Service Districts.
Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP): The association comprised of principals and assistant principals throughout Washington state.
Asynchronous Learning: Forms of education, instruction, and learning that do not occur in the same place or at the same time.
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP): Formerly an individual states measure of yearly progress toward achieving state academic standards, required under the 2002 federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB).
Beginning Educator Support Team (BEST): Run by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). It pairs novice K-12 teachers with trained veteran mentors to improve classroom instruction and boost retention.
Bond: A method used by a public school district to finance the purchase of land or buildings or pay for school construction costs (like getting a loan for a project). Bond measures are placed on the ballot by district school boards to be approved or defeated by the voting public and must be paid back by the local taxpayers. Bonds require a supermajority (2/3) of the vote to pass.
Bullying: Bullying is negative actions which are intentional, repeated, negative, show a lack of empathy, and a power imbalance. In order to be considered bullying, the behavior must be aggressive and include an “imbalance of power” (ie. physical strength, access to embarrassing information, popularity, etc) and “repetition” (bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to happen more than once.)
Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA): This refers to the contract between Meridian School District and our unions. It outlines rules, pay, benefits and working conditions.
Curriculum: A curriculum refers to planned instructional material (such as lessons, practice work, tests, and experiences) and knowledge goals. Terms such as scope (what content will be covered) and sequence (what order the content is covered in) often describe curriculum.
Differentiated Instruction: Differentiated instruction is a method of teaching that focuses on creating varied experiences that meet the different learning levels and needs of students in a class. Some of the goals of differentiated instruction are to acknowledge the diversity of student learners, regularly assess students’ needs and progress, and offer them choices and customized learning experiences. Differentiated instruction is one of the most popular learning approaches.
Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF): State government agency dedicated to the well-being of children, offering services for child welfare (including Child Protective Services), early learning, and juvenile rehabilitation.
Department of Education (DOE): Federal agency that oversees national education program.
Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS): State agency responsible for support, care and resources for vulnerable residents.
Dual-language Program: In a dual-language program, students receive a significant amount of their weekly instruction in a partner language (a language other than English). That partner language could be Spanish, French, German, or another language. Dual language programs are designed to help students become bilingual or maintain a second language, to help students gain confidence, and to immerse students in a second culture.
Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) (pronounced “E-Cap”): This is the program funded by Washington State for children 3 and 4. Through our partnership with ECEAP, we can serve additional students in our program who: Demonstrate a need for support in academics, social/emotional development, language development, and/or exposure to peers and classroom settings; Families who want to participate in Home Visits, Parent Leadership opportunities, Adult Education Scholarships and Parenting support classes and connection to community resources; such as energy assistance.
English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Language Learners (ELL): Like it sounds, English as a Second Language (ESL) refers to programs that help students who are non-native English-speakers learn English. English Language Learners (ELL) is a term that is often used to refer to students in these programs.
English Language Arts (ELA): Combines reading, writing, speaking, listening and language skills.
Education Service District (ESD): These regional districts provide services to school districts in Washington. Our local ESD is Northwest Education Service District 189.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a federal law regulating the management of student records and disclosure of information from those records.
504 Plan: A 504 plan helps a child who meets the criteria for a disability (under the Rehabilitation Act) that interferes with accessing their education. The 504 plan outlines accommodations and modifications that the student needs to ensure academic success and their ability to access their learning environment. Generally, a 504 plan is not as involved as an Individualized Education Plan. The main difference between a 504 plan and an IEP is the provision of specially designed instruction; students with a 504 plan learn alongside their peers rather than receiving individualized special education instruction.
Free and Reduced Lunch: This program provides a federally reimbursable meal or snack served to a qualified child when the family of the child’s income is between 130 percent and 185 percent of the U.S. federal poverty threshold. Visit our website to learn more and to apply.
Guided Language Acquisition Design (GLAD): This is a preK-12 instructional model that teaches grade-level academic content and English language at the same time, to build language skills and proficiency.
Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying (HIB): Any intentional electronic, written, verbal, or physical act that physically harms a student or damages the student’s property; has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education; is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school. To report Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying, please visit our HIB website.
Highly Capable Program (HiCap or HCP): Highly capable students are those who perform or show potential for performing at significantly advanced academic levels when compared with others of their age, experiences, or environments. Outstanding abilities are seen within students’ general intellectual aptitudes, specific academic abilities, and/or creative productivities within a specific domain. These students are present not only in the general populace, but are present within all protected classes. (WAC 392.170.080)
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA): The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) is a federal law that ensures the confidentiality and security of an individual’s protected health information.
Highly Qualified Teachers: The federal definition of a highly qualified teacher is one who meets all of the following criteria: fully certified and/or licensed by the state; holds at least a bachelor degree from a four-year institution; and demonstrates competence in each core academic subject area in which he or she teaches.
Inclusion: Inclusion refers to a student with disabilities being given instruction and the opportunity to learn alongside their peers in the mainstream classroom. Inclusion models vary widely between districts and schools, but can include co-teaching and team-teaching.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was passed to make sure that students with disabilities receive a free, appropriate public education that meets their needs.
Individualized Education Program (IEP): An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a legal roadmap for what individualized supports and services a child with disabilities will receive to help them learn and succeed in school. IEPs are free for eligible children in public schools. An IEP is reviewed annually to make changes in services and supports. An IEP is more involved and specialized than a 504 plan.
Kindergarten through Grade 12 (K-12)
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): Least restrictive environment (LRE) is a legal requirement under IDEA that a student with a disability should be given the opportunity to receive instruction with non-disabled peers to the greatest extent possible.
Learning Assistance Program (LAP): The Learning Assistance Program (LAP) provides supplemental instruction and services to students who are not meeting academic standards in basic skills areas (reading, writing, and mathematics as well as readiness associated with these skills) as identified by statewide, school, or district assessments or other performance measurement tools.
Levy: When it comes to education, a levy refers to the amount of property tax dollars a school district collects to operate or to develop its property. When a district needs money beyond that received from the state and federal government, it may ask residents to vote on a levy.
Limited English Proficient (LEP): Students in this program may have a current proficiency level in English that qualifies them for additional language support through the Washington State Transitional Bilingual Instructional Program (TBIP).
Local Education Agency (LEA): A public authority or board of education that runs and manages public schools in a local area.
Local Effort Assistance (LEA): State levy equalization funding for property-poor school districts. It supplements local enrichment levies so communities with low property values can raise enough money for schools without forcing high tax rates on local taxpayers.
Materials, Supplies and Operating Costs (MSOC): The cost to a school district or education entity for materials and supplies used in the classroom (e.g.: white boards, pencils, and printer paper) and operating costs like building maintenance, utility bills and insurance.
Measures of Academic Progress (MAP): Assessment from Northwest Evaluation Association.
Measurements of Student Progress (MSP): This is Washington state’s required accountability assessment in grades 5, 8, and high school
science. The MSP was replaced by the Smarter Balanced Assessments.
Multilingual Learner (ML or MLL): Multilingual Learners (formerly English Language Learners/ELL) refers to students who have consistent experience with multiple languages.
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS): Multi-tiered systems of support is a framework for enhancing the implementation of evidence-based practices to achieve important outcomes for every student. The MTSS framework builds on a public health approach that focuses on organizing the efforts of adults within systems to be more effective. MTSS helps to ensure students benefit from nurturing environments and equitable access to instruction and supports that are differentiated to meet their unique needs.
National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT): A voluntary, advanced teaching credential that goes beyond state licensure. National Board
Certification has national standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do.
National Education Association (NEA): National teachers union.
Neighborhood School: A neighborhood school typically refers to the public school nearest you or assigned to you. A neighborhood school may be in walking distance; if not, you will normally be able to receive free transportation to it.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): Department of Labor agency responsible for protecting workers from workplace hazards by establishing safety standards.
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI): Washington’s state department of education.
Parent-Teacher Association (PTA): A formal organization of parents, teachers and school staff work work together to support students and raise funds for programs.
Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS): An evidence-based framework to encourage positive student behavior and improve school culture.
Professional Learning Community (PLC): Educator teams who work together to analyze student data, share best practices and improve teaching methods to support students.
Revised Code of Washington (RCW): All state statues. Title 28A RCW is the education code.
Reduction-in-Force (RIF): The process for notifying staff of positions being eliminated or layoffs. This may occur due to budget reductions.
Response to Intervention (RTI): This is a proactive framework that helps identify students who need extra academic or behavioral support.
School Board: Our School Board consists of five community members who are either elected or appointed to represent and make decisions about the Meridian School District.
School Construction Assistance Program (SCAP): Provides state funding to build or modernize permanent school buildings.
Smarter Balanced Assessments (SBA): This is the state’s required accountability assessment system for English language arts (ELA) and mathematics for grades 3-8 and high school.
Social-emotional Learning (SEL): Beyond teaching the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic, social-emotional learning (SEL) focuses on equipping students with emotional and interpersonal skills. SEL is defined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning as the development of “knowledge, skills and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.”
Special Education: Special Education is a term used by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to refer to specially designed instruction to increase a student’s chances for success. Special education typically involves the development of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) to ensure students’ learning needs are being accommodated.
State Board of Education (SBE): Develops state policy and provides system oversight for public schools.
STEM or STEAM: STEM or STEAM education is learning focused on innovation and active learning through the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. STEM and STEAM education often takes a hands-on approach. Also, it often focuses on subjects’ connections to each other, such as connections between science and technology.
Student Support Team: This team of professionals and parents meet to discuss any problems a student is having in their general education classroom. The team’s goal is to identify ways to assist the child to help them master skills they’re having difficulty with.
Title II: Title II is a federal law aimed at supporting the development of teachers and school leaders, particularly those who teach low-income or minority students. Through Title II, schools can receive federal funds to use for teacher training, so that students receive more effective classroom instruction.
Title IX: Title IX is a civil rights law with the goal of protecting students from discrimination based on sex. Any K-12 school that receives federal funding must follow regulations set out in Title IX to prevent such discrimination. That’s true whether the school is public or private.
Transition Plan: A transition plan is specific to an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) – once a student turns 16 it must have goals and a plan addressing how they will transition to life outside of high school.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA): Manages the core nutrition programs such as the National School Lunch and Breakfast programs.
Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS): The state-required process for students entering state-funded full-day kindergarten programs.
Washington Education Association (WEA): Washington’s state teachers union.
Washington English Language Proficiency Assessment (WELPA): The state’s placement assessment used to determine initial student eligibility for English language development services.
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA): A non-profit policy and rule-making organization for sports programs in public and private secondary schools.
Washington School Information Processing Cooperative (WSPIC): The group that many school districts use to provide data and report card systems.
Washington State School Directors’ Association (WSSDA): The state agency that supports school boards with policy development, leadership training, communications and advocacy.
What I Need (WIN): A dedicated daily block of time for students to received targeted support based on their own academic needs.