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Glossary
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United We Stand of New York is please to provide a Dictionary of Special Education Common Terms and Acronyms. This is an 25 page document that can be used as a reference document for understanding numerous terms and acronyms in the Special Education arena. A subset of those terms are presented here in our glossary.
As well as the dictionary created by UWS, please find attached a Spanish Glossary created by OSEP of common Special Education Terms and Acronyms.
http://uwsofny.org/sites/default/files/2011-09-30 Glossary-print-final.pdf
Glossary
| ABA |
Applied Behavioral Analysis – One research-based method for supporting/teaching children with certain disabilities, most commonly with children with autism or autism spectrum disorders. |
| ABAS II |
Adaptive Behavior System, 2nd edition (test) |
| Ability grouping |
Clusters students according to past performance so teachers can instruct them at the same level. See grouping, tracking |
| ABS |
Adaptive Behavior Scale – tests that measures an individual’s personal (independence) and social skills. |
| Academic Achievement |
A student’s level of academic performance when measured against the general curriculum. |
| Academic Aptitude |
The combination of native and/or acquired abilities needed for doing schoolwork; also called scholastic aptitude. |
| Accommodations |
Changes in how material is taught or a test is administered but does not substantially alter what the test measures; includes changes in presentation format, response format, test setting or test timing. |
| Accountability |
Refers to federal, state, and school district policies developed to hold districts, school staff, and/’or students responsible for academic performance. Test scores are often used as the measure of success or failure. |
| Achievement Gap |
Is the difference in academic performance between students of any different groups, such as between children with and without disabilities, or different racial-ethnic groups and income levels. |
| Achievement Test |
Test that measures competency in a particular area of knowledge or skill; measures mastery or acquisition of skills (generally applies to skills that have been taught) |
| Achievement/Ability Discrepancy |
A criterion often used to determine whether a child has a learning disability. It asks, “is the child working up to expectations?” |
| ADHD |
Attention Deficit Disorder |
| BIP |
Behavior Intervention Plan |
| ESY |
Extended School Year |
| Evaluation |
A series of test that examines a specific area in order to judge its value, quality, importance, extent, or condition |
| FBA |
Functional Behavior Assessment |
| GSIL |
Granite State Independent Living |
| ICT/CTT |
Intergraded Co-Teaching/ Collaborative Team Teaching |
| IEP |
Individualized Education Plan |
| MDR |
Manifestation Determination Review |