Navigating the world of K-12 education can be challenging especially with the amount of terms used by educators and administrators. This guide is designed to help Montana parents understand key terms that you may encounter in your child education journey. Whether you’re new to education or looking to refresh your knowledge, we aim to provide you clear definition to help you support your child.
A
Accessibility: Accessibility involves ensuring that information and services are equally available to students with disabilities as to those without.
Accommodation: Accommodations are changes or adaptations that help students overcome or work with disabilities. Accommodations do not change the content the child is expected to learn. Supports and services like these help students to access the general curriculum and show their learning.
Accountability: Accountability in education refers to how people are held accountable for meeting standards and meeting their educational goals. Staff members can be held accountable by their accreditation organization, for example. Schools can lose accreditation if they fail to meet their accreditor’s quality and growth standards.
Accreditation: Schools that have accreditation have met the quality standards set by an accrediting organization. The accreditation process at colleges is streamlined, but it’s more complicated and inconsistent at K-12 schools. There are different accreditation standards in each state, and not all states require public schools to be accredited.
Most private schools have their own accreditation rules. In some cases, private schools choose to take part in accreditation programs. This can help show parents their commitment to academic excellence and growth. The National Council for Private School Accreditation is one of the major accreditors, but smaller accreditors, such as Christian or Montessori, can also accredit private schools.
Achievement Gap: Education achievement gaps are differences between various groups of students in academic performance or graduation rates, influenced by a variety of societal factors. Education policy can be influenced by the size of an achievement gap and whether or not it is narrowing over time.
Adaptive Behavior: As a special education term, adaptive behavior refers to an individual’s ability to act in a socially appropriate and ethical manner. This is determined by assessing the individual’s ability to manage his or her environment within the classroom.
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP): By definition, adequate yearly progress refers to results that schools, districts, and states need to achieve in order to be held accountable for their students’ performance. As of 2015, No Child Left Behind was replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act. Every Student Succeeds Act provided states with more flexibility in determining what constitutes adequate yearly progress. The progress a school is making toward the goal of having all students proficient can now be tracked not just through state tests, but also by graduation rates and school safety.
Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD): The Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) team consist of, at a minimum, parents, a special education teacher, someone qualified to interpret test results, district representation, and a general education teacher. Depending on a child’s needs, these individuals develop, review, and reevaluate his/her IEP, evaluation/reevaluation, and behavior plan.
Advanced Placement (AP) Program: The Advanced Placement (AP) program offers high school students the opportunity to take college-level courses and exams. These courses are designed to challenge students with rigorous academic content and prepare them for higher education. By taking AP exams, students can earn credit accepted at many colleges and universities.
Age of Majority: The age of majority refers to when a student becomes capable of making their own decisions, including those related to education. In most states, the age of majority is 18 years old.
Alternative Assessments: In an alternative assessment, students demonstrate their learning through a method other than traditional testing. Alternate assessments may involve presenting a portfolio, completing a project, or keeping a learning journal.
Alternative School: Alternative schools are educational environments designed to accommodate students who do not thrive in traditional school settings. These schools offer different approaches to teaching, learning, and school structure to better serve students with varying academic, behavioral, and personal needs.
American Collegiate Test (ACT): American Collegiate Tests, or ACTs, are commonly used to evaluate high school students’ college readiness. A number of colleges and universities consider scores from ACT, SAT, and CLT when making admissions decisions. The ACT tests students in four areas: English, Reading, Math, and Science. It is normally taken during a student’s junior or senior year of high school.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The Americans with Disabilities Act, enacted in 1990, provides civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities, safeguarding their rights in the workplace, schools, and public spaces.
Annual Review: In special education, an annual review is a meeting that takes place once a year. During this meeting, the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team or ARD Committee assesses a student’s progress toward their goals, examines new data, and updates information related to the student’s needs for success.
Annual Goal: As part of a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), annual goals define what the student will accomplish in the upcoming school year.
Antecedent Behavioral Consequences Chart (ABC): The Antecedent Behavior Consequence chart (ABC chart) is a behavioral observation tool used to monitor student behavior. It helps identify the causes and triggers of behaviors. Observers use the ABC chart to note what occurs before specific behaviors, along with details about the behavior and its consequences. This type of observation is often done as part of a functional behavioral assessment (FBA).
Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA): Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a method for correcting behavior and social skill deficits. It is rooted in the understanding of how positive reinforcement influences behavior. A fundamental part of ABA is discrete trial training (DTT), which involves breaking a skill into its basic steps and teaching it systematically, with each component laying the groundwork for the next.
Assessment: Assessments involve gathering information about a student’s capabilities, requirements, and hobbies. While people often associate assessments with tests, they can also include observation, reviewing records, and consulting with the student and/or parents.
Assistive Technology (AT): Assistive technology enables individuals with disabilities to perform tasks in an educational environment that may otherwise be challenging. Examples of assistive technology include canes, wheelchairs, hearing aids, communication devices, and ergonomic writing aids.
At-risk: A student is labeled “at-risk” if the school has concerns about their potential to fail or withdraw, often due to frequent absences, declining behavior, or decreased school work quality. Circumstances like neglect, food insecurity, or homelessness can also contribute to this status.
Audiologist: An audiologist specializes in studying hearing. They conduct hearing assessments to detect hearing loss and provide assistance with next steps.
Augmentative and Alternative Communication Device (AAC): An AAC device is a tool that utilizes alternative communication methods, such as non-verbal communication, to express an individual’s thoughts, needs, wants, and ideas. These devices can be electronic, such as tablets, or manual, such as communication boards.
B
Baseline: A baseline represents a student’s initial level, determined by data collected using screening tools. It’s used to measure student progress throughout the year.
Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP): A Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) is a written plan that outlines the strategies, interventions, and supports that the Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team will use to promote positive behaviors and reduce problem behaviors. The BIP should be developed based on various data sources, including a Functional Behavioral Assessment.
Benchmark: Benchmarks are important milestones that enable parents, students, and educators to monitor a student’s progress throughout the year.
Blaine Amendment: In the late 19th century, some states amended their constitutions to restrict public funds for religious institutions, such as private religious schools, fueled by anti-Catholic sentiment. These amendments are known as the Blaine Amendments.
Blended Learning: In hybrid learning or blending learning, part of a student’s education takes place online (sometimes even from home) and some takes place face-to-face in a classroom or learning center.
Block Scheduling: Block scheduling involves structuring the school day for middle or high school students into longer blocks, typically lasting 90-120 minutes instead of the usual 40-50-minute class periods. This approach may involve longer classes occurring every other day or being designed for students to complete a class in a semester rather than over the entire school year.
Blue Ribbon School: The U.S. Department of Education runs the National Blue Ribbon School Program to recognize outstanding schools nationwide. Each year, this program awards Blue Ribbon Schools to schools that demonstrate academic excellence or make great progress in closing achievement gaps. Schools of all types—public or private, huge or small—can be Blue Ribbon Schools.
Board of Education: A board of education, also known as a school board, is made up of community members who are elected or appointed to represent and make decisions about their public school district. Board of education members are typically not politicians; instead, they are usually community leaders, parents, retired school leaders, or education professionals who are interested in making a positive impact.
Each district in the U.S. has a board of education. Each consists of about three to nine members who regularly meet to discuss educational needs in their district.
Board members are leaders who make important decisions that affect you and your child. For example, the board may be responsible for hiring or firing the superintendent. They may approve contracts, set a budget, set a school calendar, or expand or close schools.
Board of Education meetings are usually open to the public. You can search for your district’s board of education online to find out who the members are when they meet and their upcoming agenda. Board meetings often allow parents to speak up, ask questions, or provide feedback.
Brick and Mortar School: Brick and mortar schools are ones where students attend classes in-person, in a physical building.
Bullying: Bullying is aggressive behavior among children, such as making threats, spreading rumors, using physical force, or intentionally excluding someone from a group.
C
Career and Technical Education: Career and technical education focuses on equipping students for skill-based careers in high demand, such as engineering, manufacturing, or health science. It is characterized by hands-on learning and real work experience so students can more readily complete certifications and confidently enter the workforce.
Character Education (character development): Character education focuses on teaching students core universal values, including justice, responsibility, empathy, leadership, honesty, and more. Many community members see character education as a responsibility parents and educators share to help students succeed.
Charter Schools: Charter schools are free public schools that may be created by districts, colleges, nonprofit organizations, or other entities. What makes charter schools different from traditional public schools is that they have more flexibility in trying out unique instruction methods and approaches to education.
Child Find Program: Child Find is a program mandated by IDEA that continually seeks and evaluates children who may have a disability. Federal law mandates the program, but the programs themselves can vary among school districts.
Classical Education: Classical education emphasizes learning from the Western tradition to educate the whole student. Students engage with great minds through reading, which trains them to think analytically and articulate big ideas. The curriculum includes grammar, logic, rhetoric, the study of Great Books, the Socratic Method, a Liberal Arts curriculum, and learning Latin.
Classic Learning Test: The Classic Learning Test (CLT) is a college readiness exam that draws on classical texts to test student aptitude. While not accepted by all colleges, the CLT partners with many colleges, especially private liberal arts colleges. More than 250 colleges accept the CLT as a complete replacement for the SAT or ACT.
Classroom Management: Classroom management refers to how a classroom operates, including lesson planning and interactions between students, peers, and the teacher. It also encompasses the rules, rewards, and techniques a teacher uses to create a safe and comfortable learning environment for students. Classroom management strategies may vary based on factors such as class size, teacher personality, and school culture.
College Preparatory Program: College preparatory programs are designed to prepare students for college-level classes. While most high schools aim for college success, college preparatory schools may focus more on developing students’ study skills, simulating a college class structure, and teaching independence and time management.
Continuum of Services: A continuum of services refers to the range of special education and related services that are available to assist any student in a school or school district to provide instruction in the least restrictive environment.
Core Knowledge: A Core Knowledge curriculum gives students information through oral telling and experience, focusing on building common knowledge rather than on specific learning objectives like decoding or comparing and contrasting. A Core Knowledge curriculum teaches students a sequence of knowledge, progressing from simple knowledge to more complex.
Credit Recovery: Credit recovery refers to opportunities for high school students to make up for failed or missed courses. Students can sometimes take credit recovery courses during the summer or at an accelerated pace to catch up and graduate.
Culture (School Culture): School culture refers to the “feel,” values, and traditions of a school community. While invisible, a school culture can have a tremendous impact on a student’s comfort level and ability to succeed. School culture often plays a big role in a family’s school choice decision.
Cumulative File: A cumulative file, maintained by the school, contains a student’s family information, medical history, academic records, and other necessary details. Parents have the right to access their child’s file at any time.
Curriculum: A curriculum refers to planned instructional materials, including lessons, practice work, tests, and experiences, to achieve specific knowledge goals.
Curriculum Based Measurement (CBM): Curriculum-based measurements are short, regular assessments that are used to monitor student performance. CBMs are often informal assessments. They can involve checklists or oral questions a teacher uses to gauge a student’s skill mastery.
D
Department of Education: The Department of Education began operating in the spring of 1980. As it stands today, the US Department of Education has four main responsibilities:
- Creating the policy related to federal financial aid, distributing those funds, and monitoring how they are used
- Collecting data and providing oversight for research on America’s schools; then sharing the information with Congress, educators, and the general public
- Identifying major issues and problems in education to focus national attention on them
- Enforcing federal laws prohibiting discrimination in programs and activities receiving federal funding
Diagnostic Assessment/Screening: A diagnostic assessment or screening is a comprehensive tool used to pinpoint a student’s current knowledge, areas of difficulty, and specific skill areas that require intervention. These assessments are typically conducted in a one-on-one setting.
Differentiated Instruction: Differentiated instruction is a teaching method that aims to create diverse experiences to meet students’ various learning levels and needs in a class. Some key goals of differentiated instruction include acknowledging the diversity of student learners, regularly assessing students’ needs and progress, and providing them with choices and customized learning experiences. It is one of the most popular learning approaches.
District: A school district is a geographic area comprising multiple schools, governed by a single authority.
Dual Enrollment: Dual enrollment (or an early college program) allows high school students to enroll in high school and college classes simultaneously, giving them a jumpstart on their college degrees. Dual-enrolled students take courses at community colleges or nearby colleges to get a taste of college-level studies and save money on college tuition.
Dual-language Program: In a dual-language program, students receive significant weekly instruction in a partner language other than English. This 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, gain confidence, and immerse themselves in a second culture. Sometimes, students in these programs are called “multilingual learners.”
E
EdTech: “EdTech” stands for education technology. It includes various technological tools used in the classroom to enhance learning. For example, “Kahoot” provides quiz games for learning, “Google Classroom” serves as a hub for students and teachers, and “Flip” can be used for sharing video assignments.
Education Savings Account: Parents using an education savings account program can receive public funds for various approved education costs. Families may be able to use the funds for private school fees, homeschooling, tutoring, community college, or school transportation costs. Education savings accounts seek to increase families’ flexibility to create a customized education plan that helps their children flourish.
Enrollment: Enrollment in K-12 education means meeting local requirements to register your child at a school. To enroll, parents will typically need to provide information such as their child’s street address, age, and health information. Different schools will have different enrollment deadlines and requirements.
Extracurricular Options: Extracurricular options refer to all of the activities students and families have at a school outside of the required classes. These may include sports, orchestra, drama or chess clubs, debate teams, student newspaper, and much more. Extracurricular options can be one valuable factor to consider in making a school choice.
English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Language Learners (ELL): 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.
Evaluation: In special education, an evaluation refers to the procedures used to determine whether a child has a disability and the specific special education and related services that the child may require.
Extended School Year (ESY): An extended school year in special education allows students to receive instruction during school vacation periods to prevent serious regression of previously learned skills. The intention is to maintain already learned skills rather than introduce new ones. Eligibility is determined by a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team.
Extrinsic Motivation: Extrinsic motivation refers to when your child is doing something because of a motivation outside themselves, rather than from personal curiosity or satisfaction.
F
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law governing student records’ access to and release.
FEP: FEP means fully proficient in English (fluent).
504Plan: A 504 plan assists students with disabilities in accessing their education by specifying their required accommodations. It is less comprehensive than an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) since it does not involve specially designed instruction. Students with a 504 plan can learn alongside their peers rather than receiving individualized special education instruction.
Flipped classroom: The flipped classroom is an instructional approach in which students learn new material independently through homework instead of being introduced to it during class. In this model, teachers use class time to engage with and apply the new learning material. The goal of the flipped classroom is to make the classroom experience more individualized and interactive.
Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE): Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) is a component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that ensures students with disabilities have the right to receive special education and related services tailored to their specific needs at no cost to their parents or guardians. One common way schools provide this education is by creating an Individualized Education Program for each student with disabilities.
Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA): A Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) identifies a student’s challenging behaviors through the collection and analysis of data.
G
Gamification: A gamification is an instructional approach that brings elements of playing a game into a classroom. Teachers may use game elements like gaining points or completing activities to motivate students to reach the next level. Gamification often aims to make learning more fun and engaging for students.
Gifted Program: A gifted program is created to provide specialized support to academically exceptional students whose needs are not being met in a standard learning environment. Students in a gifted program may work at a level that is one to four grades ahead of their age group in specific subjects. They may also receive personalized assistance for their social-emotional needs.
Grade Point Average (GPA): A grade point average (GPA) measures the average of all a student’s final grades. One common form of GPA uses a 0 to 4-point scale. On this scale, a student with straight As will have a 4.0 GPA, while a student with a mixture of As and Bs will have a GPA between 3 and 4.
Graduation Rate: A graduation rate looks at how many (or what percentage of) students complete high school requirements. The National Center for Education Statistics breaks down that percentage by state and by race.
Great Books: “Great Books” refers to the idea that certain classical texts (like Homer’s Iliad and Plato’s Republic, for instance) are still relevant today, and reading them is a way to encounter some of the best teachers who have ever lived. Schools with Great Books programs use these texts to help students encounter powerful ideas in philosophy, history, science, and more.
Growth Mentality: A growth mindset refers to the belief that hard work, helpful teaching, and tools can help students and staff improve.
H
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA): The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) safeguards individuals’ protected health information and ensures its confidentiality.
Highly Qualified Teachers: The federal definition of a highly qualified teacher includes someone who meets all of the following criteria: they are fully certified and/or licensed by the state, hold at least a bachelor’s degree from a four-year institution, and demonstrate competence in each core academic subject area in which they teach.
Homeschooling: Homeschooling or Home Education refers to educating your children at home. Parents in every state have the right to homeschool their children, but there are different rules and policies regarding homeschooling.
Hybrid Approach: In hybrid learning, also known as blended learning, students receive part of their education online, at home, and the remainder in a brick-and-mortar classroom or learning center.
I
Immersion Program: In a language immersion program, students learn while surrounded by a foreign language. This approach enables students to practice the language intensively, often while acquiring general knowledge in other subjects. For instance, a language immersion program might provide 75% of instruction in Spanish. Extensive exposure to foreign languages allows students plenty of time to practice and improve their fluency.
Inclusion: Inclusion involves providing students with disabilities the opportunity to learn alongside their peers in the mainstream classroom. Inclusion models, such as co-teaching and team-teaching, vary widely between districts and schools.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA): The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was enacted to ensure 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.
Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team: The IEP is a team of individuals that includes, at a minimum, parents, a special education teacher, someone qualified to interpret test results, district representation, and a general education teacher. This team is responsible for developing and reviewing a child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), conducting evaluations and re-evaluations, and creating behavior plans as needed. Law requires them to meet at least once a year, but teachers or parents can call meetings at any time.
Individualized Family Services Plan (IFSP): The Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) outlines the early intervention services that a child will receive from birth to their third birthday. It is a written document that details the child’s current functional levels, specific needs, treatment goals, and the treatment plan. Before transitioning to a public Pre-K program, a transition meeting is held to outline the child’s services in the public school setting.
Individualized Service Plan: An Individualized Service Plan is a plan for parentally-placed children that attend private/parochial schools or home schools (determined by state guidelines) who are eligible to receive special services from their resident district.
Initial Evaluation: An initial evaluation is the process of assessing a child suspected of having a disability and determining their eligibility for special education and related services.
Interdistrict: Interdistrict refers to something that takes place between more than one district.
Intradistrict: Intradistrict refers to something that takes place within a district.
J
K
L
Leader in Me: The Leader in Me is a model that schools can use to cultivate a culture of leadership among both staff and students. In a school that implements this model, the staff will establish new goals for the school and exemplify leadership for the students. Additionally, they will promote the students to take on leadership roles. The Leader in Me is grounded in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and other educational tools
Learning Pod: In a microschool or learning pod, students gather in small groups with adult supervision to learn, explore, and socialize. Depending on community needs, a pod may gather 10-20 hours a week or only on certain days. Pods can take a variety of legal forms. Some pods are mini private schools, others are support groups for online schools, and some are simply homeschool co-ops.
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.
Levy: When it comes to education, a levy is the amount of property tax dollars that a school district collects to operate or improve its property. If a district requires additional funds beyond what it has received from the state and federal governments, it may seek residents’ approval through a vote on a new levy.
Liberal arts: The term “liberal arts” refers to an educational approach prioritizing a broad-based learning experience over specific career training. The roots of the liberal arts can be traced back to medieval studies, which encompassed subjects such as astronomy, music, geometry, and grammar. Each discipline within the liberal arts aims to foster specific aspects of a student’s development. For example, studying political philosophy can help students become well-informed citizens with a deep understanding of social justice.
Local Educational Agency (LEA): Local educational agency (LEA) is a term that refers to any educational program conducted by a public school or agency.
M
Mentor: Mentors offer guidance, motivation, and model behaviors for children. Teachers, parents, coaches, teammates, and experts can also serve as mentors.
Microschool: In a microschool or learning pod, students gather in small groups with adult supervision to learn, explore, and socialize. Depending on community needs, a pod may gather 10-20 hours a week or only on certain days. Pods can take a variety of legal forms. Some pods are mini private schools, others are support groups for online schools, and some are simply homeschool co-ops.
Modifications: Modifications are changes made to what a student is taught or expected to do. These changes can adjust the difficulty of an assignment or what the teacher is evaluating.
Montessori Education: Montessori education is a student-led approach that emphasizes creating a nurturing learning environment where children can choose their activities. It is characterized by multi-age classrooms, learning materials made of natural materials like wood and ceramic, and self-paced learning. The goals of Montessori education include:
- Helping children develop a strong sense of self and independence.
- Nurturing their natural curiosity.
- Supporting them in becoming confident learners.
Montessori education was founded in the early 1900s by Dr. Maria Montessori.
Multi-age Classroom: In a multi-age classroom, students of varying ages learn together, supporting each other at different stages of their educational journey. These classrooms usually encompass a range of a few years. For example, they may group children aged three to six together or children aged nine to twelve. Multi-age grouping is a crucial feature of Montessori education but may also be present in other learning environments.
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS): Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) refers to a multi-tiered framework that promotes school improvement using research-based academic and behavioral practices.
N
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP): The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) evaluates students’ knowledge in subjects such as math and reading, providing comparisons of student performance across states and valuable insights into reading and math proficiency. Anyone can view the most recent NAEP results at The Nation’s Report Card.
It’s good to note that not every child in America is required to take the NAEP test. The test is administered to a representative sample of students in 4th, 8th, and 12th grades
Neighborhood School: A neighborhood school is the public school closest to you or the one assigned to you by your school district. Families may choose to move to specific neighborhoods to be near great schools or use school choice to find a better learning environment.
No Child Left Behind (NCLB): The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act was signed into law in 2002. It increased state and federal assessment requirements and expanded the federal government’s responsibility for holding schools accountable. The goal of NCLB was to close achievement gaps in K-12 education. In 2015, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) replaced the NCLB.
O
Occupational Therapy (OT): Occupational therapy focuses on improving fine motor skills and helping individuals adapt ways of living to accomplish daily activities. An occupational therapist provides this type of therapy.
Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP): The Office of Special Education Programs is a division of the U.S. Department of Education focused entirely on special education.
Online Public School: State governments, school districts, or charter schools usually run online public schools. They do not charge tuition, and students do not need to take tests for admission. At online public schools, students use computers at home to learn from teachers via the Internet.
Open Enrollment: Open enrollment policies allow parents to choose traditional public schools outside their zone or district. The goal of open enrollment is for families to be able to select the best public school for their children.
Open House: An open house at a school is an event for current or prospective families to visit the school and learn about its unique features. During an open house, visitors can take a school tour, attend a presentation, and have the opportunity to ask questions. Open houses usually take place in person.
P
Parental Choice: Parental choice, or school choice, refers to parents having the right and responsibility to choose their child’s education. It recognizes that parents know their children best and are best equipped to choose an education that aligns with their child’s needs and family values.
Parochial School: Parochial schools are private institutions affiliated with a specific church or parish, typically integrating religious education into their curriculum.
Philosophy of Education: A philosophy of education is a concise set of beliefs, values, and goals for learning. It shapes a teacher’s approach in the classroom and a parent’s expectations for their child’s learning.
Physical Therapy (PT): Physical therapy is instructional support and treatment of physical disabilities. It aims to help students improve gross motor skills. A physical therapist is a trained individual who provides this type of therapy.
Present Levels of Performance: Present performance levels are part of an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and include a student’s strengths, needs, current academic achievement levels, and functional performance.
Prior Written Notice: Prior written notice must be given to parents when changes are proposed to a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), disability identification, formal evaluations, or educational placement.
Procedural Safeguards: Procedural safeguards are explanations of the specific rights and responsibilities the family has in the special education process.
Project-based Learning: Project-based learning is an educational approach that emphasizes students learning new knowledge and skills by engaging in in-depth, guided projects. These projects are not just demonstrations of what the students have learned; instead, project-based learning aims for students to acquire new knowledge and skills while completing the project.
Psychologist: A psychologist with an advanced degree specializes in administering and evaluating psychological assessments for special education. These assessments can include intelligence, aptitude, and interest tests.
Q
R
Reevaluation: Special education reevaluations occur a minimum of every three years (they can happen more frequently if needed) to determine whether a student is eligible for special education services.
Referral: The referral process is used to determine whether a student is eligible for special education and related services. Upon referral, the student’s parent or legal guardian must consent to the evaluation.
S
Scaffolding: In education, scaffolding is an instructional technique that helps students gradually build knowledge. It involves breaking up new learning goals or complex concepts into smaller, manageable parts, using supports like mini-lessons, visual aids, and modeling.
Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO): Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs) are non-profit organizations that manage contributions from donors or grants for educational scholarships. In several states, individuals or businesses can receive a tax credit for their donation to an SGO. SGOs use the donations to distribute scholarships to families so they can attend a school of their choice.
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT): The Scholastic Aptitude Test or SAT is a commonly used test to measure high school students’ readiness for college. It assesses math, evidence-based reading, and writing and is often taken by juniors and seniors. Colleges and universities consider SAT scores in their admissions decisions.
School choice: School choice allows every family to choose the K-12 educational options that best fit their children. What works well for one child may not work well for another child. Access to different choices ensures that each family can find an education that inspires their child and helps them succeed.
School safety: School safety encompasses freedom from violence, theft, bullying, and crime at school and during school-related activities. The sense of safety and comfort a child experiences can significantly impact their choice of learning environment.
The National Center for Education Statistics collects and reports data on crime and safety in U.S. schools.
Self-Advocacy: Self-advocacy is a skill set that allows a student to take charge of their education, articulate their needs, and make informed decisions to meet those needs.
Self-Directed Learning: Self-directed learning gives students the freedom to choose their own activities and experiences, making it more informal than traditional education. In this environment, classes may be optional or not offered at all, and students can learn through activities like reading, baking, videography, or exploring nature.
Socratic Method: The Socratic method is a teaching approach where a teacher helps students to think more clearly by asking them a series of questions. This method helps students to recognize their assumptions and learn to form opinions and arguments based on strong, clear reasoning.
Specially-Designed Instruction (SDI): Specially designed instruction (SDI) refers to instruction that has been adjusted in content or delivery method to meet the specific learning needs of a student with a disability. The specifics of SDI for a student are determined by their Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team. It is meant to support the regular instruction that takes place in the general education environment.
Speech Therapy: Speech therapy is the process of remediating speech deficits such as stuttering, lisping, and misarticulation. It can be provided in an individualized or small group setting.
Standardized Testing: Standardized tests require students in the same grade level within a state or country to answer identical questions within the same time limit and under the same conditions. Each state may have its own standardized tests and specific requirements regarding who must take them.
State Educational Agency (SEA): A State Educational Agency refers to who is in charge of supervising public schools in a state.
STEM Education: STEM education is focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEAM schools add art, while STEM/CS schools include computer science as a fifth focus. It often takes a hands-on approach and emphasizes connections between subjects.
Student Assistance Team/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.
Superintendent: The superintendent of education is responsible for overseeing the public schools within a district and essentially acts as the boss of the school principals. As the district’s chief executive, the superintendent is accountable for the district’s overall vision. They collaborate with leaders in each school to ensure that the district is meeting its goals and serving its students. The superintendent also provides input and is accountable to the local board of education.
Synchronous Learning: In synchronous learning, a student goes through learning material with the teacher in real-time, with the possibility of a live discussion.
T
Tax-credits and deductions (for K-12 education): Some states offer tax credits or deductions for approved education expenses. This can include private school tuition, homeschooling expenses, computers, books, and transportation. Tax credits may be provided to families at the start of the school year.
Tax-credit Scholarship: In some states, including Montana, individuals and businesses can donate to non-profit organizations that provide scholarships to students. As a result of their donation, the individual or business is eligible for a tax credit. Through the donations, the non-profit distributes “tax-credit scholarships” to families so they can attend schools of their choice.
Teacher Certification: In most public schools, teachers need state certification. Each state has its own policies and offers certification programs through colleges, universities, or alternative programs run by non-profits. Private schools usually set their own rules for hiring teachers and may participate in certification programs run by private organizations.
Title I: Title I is a federal program that provides extra funding to schools with a high number of low-income students. This funding can be used for various educational purposes, including curriculum, counseling, and parental involvement. Schools that receive Title I funding are required to implement programs and activities that encourage parent involvement.
Title II: Title II supports the professional development of teachers and school leaders, particularly those who work with low-income or minority students. A school can receive Title II funding to provide teacher training, in order to improve the quality of instruction for students.
Title IX: Title IX is a civil rights law that protects students from sex-based discrimination in any K-12 school that receives federal funding, whether public school or private school.
Transition Plan: A transition plan is specific to an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Once a student turns 16, it must include goals and a plan addressing how he or she will transition to life outside of high school.
Transition Meeting: In special education, a transition meeting is a meeting of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) or ARD team prior to a student changing programs or schools.
Transportation: School transportation rules vary widely by state. Most states require traditional public schools to provide free transportation to and from school. Whether you can receive help transporting your child to a charter or private school will depend on where you live.
Triennial Review: A triennial review is a meeting that occurs every three years for the IEP or ARD team to discuss a student’s ongoing eligibility for special education services.
Tuition: All public schools (including traditional public schools, public charter schools, and public magnet schools) are funded by taxpayer dollars and do not charge tuition. The average per-pupil spending in American public schools is more than $14,000. Online schools may be public and tuition-free, or they may be private and charge tuition. Private schools charge tuition to cover expenses, though state-run or privately-run scholarships may be available. Private school tuition may vary widely, ranging from a few thousand dollars a year to more than $15,000 a year.
U
Universal Screening Tool: A universal screening tool is a brief assessment used in a large group setting to identify students at risk of not meeting benchmarks or needing additional support.
University Model Education: University model education blends homeschooling, public schooling, and private schooling. It mirrors college classes’ rhythm; students often come to class on campus two or three days a week and work from home with parental supervision on other days. These schools emphasize parent partnership, intentional learning, and self-discipline and often keep costs low for families.
Unschooling: Unschooling is a type of homeschooling that focuses on nurturing a child’s innate curiosity and interests, rather than focusing on a particular curriculum. Hallmarks of unschooling include self-directed learning, resource-rich environments, and learning through conversation, experience, and play.
V
Vocational school: In a vocational program or school, students study traditional subjects with a focus on learning a trade and preparing for the workforce, such as plumbing, carpentry, or culinary arts.
Voucher: Families eligible for vouchers can use public funding for their child’s education to attend a private school of their choice.
W
Waldorf: Waldorf education is a philosophy and method that aims to develop each child’s unique potential through the arts and learning via creativity and wonder. It exposes children to a wide range of experiences, including music and art, with the goal of cultivating confident, well-rounded, creative individuals. This educational approach is based on the principles of Austrian thinker Rudolf Steiner.
Weighted Grades: A weighted grade is an average of grades, with each grade weighted by its percentage contribution to the final grade. For example, homework might make up 25% of the grade, while the final exam contributes 75%. This means the final exam score has a greater impact on the final grade.
Whole Child Education: Whole child education prioritizes all aspects of a child’s development, including social-emotional learning, physical health, and mental health.
Wraparound Services: A wraparound service refers to how a school provides students with support that extends into all areas of their lives. Wraparound services may include vision screenings or food assistance for students. It may also extend to providing health and housing assistance to a student’s family.
X
Y
Year-round School: Year-round schooling refers to there being no summer break. Instead, year-round schools typically take shorter breaks through the year.
Z
Zone (Attendance Zone): In many areas, where a family lives determines what public school they are automatically assigned or zoned to.
*This resource was created in partnership with the Navigate School Choice.
