Family Dictionary of Education Terms

Class Size – The number of students enrolled in a school
classroom.
Second Edition
Cognitive – A term which refers to reasoning or
intellectual capacity.
2010 - 2011
Cognitive Development – The changes in the way we
think, process information and learn. The process
begins at birth and is affected by sensory perception,
memory, and observation.

Cognitive Learning – The mental processes involved in
learning, such as remembering and understanding
facts and ideas.

Collaboration – Individuals working together to

Family Dictionary of Education Terms
accomplish goals more successfully together than
they could have separately.

Collaborative Learning – An instructional strategy where
students of different abilities and interests work
together in small groups to solve a problem, complete
a project, or achieve a common goal. Also known as Lists and defines
Cooperative Learning.
vocabulary and abbreviations used in
College Readiness – The level of preparation a elementary and secondary public schools
student needs to be ready to enroll and succeed,
without remediation, in credit-bearing college
in the state of Washington
course.

Community College – A two-year college, may also be
known as a Junior College.

Competence Tests – Tests created by a school district
or state that students must pass before graduating.

Complex sentences – Sentences with more than one
clause or verbal phrase.

Comprehension – This is a term used to describe the
interpretations, understanding, and meaning readers
construct as they listen to and read stories.

Constructivism – A learning theory that states that
students learn by creating their own knowledge. Also
known as Discovery Learning.

Content Standards – Standards that describe what
students should know and be able to do in core
academic subjects at each grade level.

Content-related Vocabulary – The words a student must
know to communicate effectively about subject area
material such as math, social studies, science, etc.

Context Clues – The words, phrases, and sentences
surrounding an unfamiliar vocabulary word that help
the student arrive at a possible definition. Office of the Education Ombudsman

Core Academic Subjects– The academic subjects Governor’s Office / State of Washington
schools and districts require all students to take in
order to be eligible for grade promotion and 1-866-297-2597
graduation.
www.waparentslearn.org
Core Curriculum – The main body of knowledge that all
students are expected to learn.

Credit – A unit of coursework given for satisfactory
completion of the course.

Introduction

The Office of the Education Ombudsman believes that good communication between families and
educators is one of the keys of student academic success. The Family Dictionary of Education Terms
is a tool developed to help families understand school-related terminology so that they can better
communicate with school officials and advocate for their children’s education.

This first edition contains terminology most commonly used in Washington schools however it is not
inclusive of all terms related to public education. As we identify missing terms and find new terms, we
will include them in future editions.

Let’s also keep in mind that school districts sometimes develop local terminology pertaining to their
education practices, geographical location, and the culture of their communities. To reduce the
chance of miscommunication, whenever you hear education terms that are new to you, ask the
person using the term to define it.

If you have questions or comments regarding the first edition of The Family Dictionary of Education
Terms, please contact the Office of the Education Ombudsman at 1-866-297-2597 or at
OEOinfo@gov.wa.gov

Visit our Website: www.waparentslearn.org to learn more about OEO and download other
publications for parents regarding the public education system.

How to Use This Document
This document is divided into three sections.

List of Commonly Used Acronyms ...............................................................................page 3

General Education Terms ............................................................................................page 10

Special Education Terms ............................................................................................. page 29

All sections are organized in alphabetical order. If a term is sometimes referenced by its initials, the
term is alphabetically listed, and the initials are shown in parentheses. If a term is generally referred
to by its initials, then the initials reference is alphabetized, and the full term is shown in parentheses.

Acknowledgements
We appreciate the contributions made to this publication by our following partners in education:
• The OEO Parent Advisory Council.
• Staff from Office of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the Center for
the Improvement of Student Learning (CISL).
• Christie Perkins, Parent Educator and Coordinator of the Special Education Support and
Washington State Special Education Training for All programs.

1-877-297-2597 www.waparentslearn.org 2

CAAN Child and Adolescent Nutrition
Frequently Used
CACFP Child and Adult Care Food Program
Education Acronyms
CAMP
CAP
College Assisted Migrant Program
Corrective Action Plan
CAS Cognitive Assessment System
CASA Court Appointed Special Advocate
A
CBC Circumstances Beyond Control
CBO Community-Based Organization
AA Affirmative Action CBSA Core-Based Statistical Data
ABE Adult Basic Education CCD Common Core of Data
ACJ Administrative Court Judge CD Communication Disorders
ACT American College Testing Program CD ROM Compact Disk Read only Memory
ACTE Association of Career and Technical CDS Communication Disorder Specialist
Education CDC Centers for Disease Control
ADA Americans with Disabilities Act CE Community Education
ADD Attention Deficit Disorder CEDARS Comprehensive Education Data and
ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Research System
ADP Average Daily Participation CEP Cultural Enrichment Program
ADR Alternative Dispute Resolution CEU Continuing Education Units (“Clock
AFT American Federation of Teachers Hours”)
AG Attorney General CFS Character and Fitness Supplement
ALE Alternative Learning Experience CFS Children and Family Services
ALJ Administrative Law Judge CHAP Comprehensive Homeless Assistance
AP Advanced Placement Plan
APE Adaptive Physical Education CHEF Comprehensive Health Education
ARS At Risk Students Foundation
ASB Associated Student Body CIA Certificate of Individual Achievement
ASBF Associated Student Body Fund CIS Certificated Instructional Staff
ASL American Sign Language CISL Center for the Improvement of Student
AT Assistive Technology Learning
AWSP Association of Washington School CNA Comprehensive Needs Assessment
Principals CNP Child Nutrition Program
AYP Adequate Yearly Progress CNS Child Nutrition Services
COLA Cost of Living Adjustment
COM Certificate of Mastery
B CPF Capital Projects Fund
CPR Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
BA Bachelor of Arts CPS Child Protective Services
BD Behavioral Disability CPU Central Processing Unit
BE Business Education CRA Civil Rights Act
BEA Basic Education Act CR Civil Rights
BIA Bureau of Indian Affairs CRT Criterion-Referenced Tests
BIP Behavioral Intervention Plan CSHCN Children with Special Health Care
BS Bachelor of Science Needs
CSR Comprehensive School Reform
CSRS Core Student Record System
C CSTC
CTBS
Child Study and Treatment Center
Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills
CTE Career and Technical Education
CA Children’s Administration CTONI Comprehensive Test of Non-Verbal
CAA Certificate of Academic Achievement Intelligence


CWS Child Welfare Services ELD English Language Development
CY Calendar Year (January-December) ELL English Language Learner
EPSDT Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis,
and Treatment
D ER Extended Response
ERIC Educational Resources Information
DAID District Assigned ID Center
DARE Drug Abuse Resistance Education ERL Essential Requirements Level
DD Developmentally Delayed ESA Educational Staff Associate
DDC Developmental Disabilities Council ESD Educational Service District
DDD Division of Developmental Disabilities ESEA Elementary and Secondary Education
DE Distributive Education Act
DECA Distributive Education Clubs of America ESL English as a Second Language
DAPE Developmentally Appropriate ESOL English for Speakers of Other
Proficiency Exam Languages
DHHS Department of Health and Human ESY Extended School Year
Services
DIBELS Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early
Literacy Skills F
DOC Department of Corrections
DOE United States Department of Education FACSE Family and Consumer Sciences
DOH Department of Health Education
DORF DIBELS Oral Reading Fluency FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid
DRA Developmental Reading Assessment FAPE Free Appropriate Public Education
DRP Degrees of Reading Power FAQ Frequently Asked Questions
DSHS Department of Social and Health FAS Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Services FBA Functional Behavioral Assessment
DVR Division of Vocational Rehabilitation FBLA Future Business Leaders of America
FCCLA Family, Career, and Community
Leaders of America
E FDPIR Food Distribution Program on Indian
Reservations
E2T2 Enhancing Education Through FERPA Family Education Rights and Privacy
Technology Act
EALR Essential Academic Learning FFA Future Farmers of America
Requirements (Essential Learnings) FIP Family Independence Program
EBD Emotionally/Behaviorally Disabled FLSA Fair Labor Standards Act
EBP Evidence Based Practice FOIA Freedom of Information Act
ECEAP Early Childhood Education and FSP Food Stamp Program
Assistance Program FTE Full Time Equivalent
ED Emotional Disturbance FY Fiscal Year (July-June)
ED United States Department of Education
EDGAR Education Department General
Administrative Regulations G
EEO Equal Educational Opportunities
EETT Enhancing Education Through GA General Administration
Technology GATB General Aptitude Test Battery
EHA Education for Handicapped Act GCERF Governor’s Council on Education
EIEP Emergency Immigrant Education Reform and Funding
Program


GEAR UP Gaining Early Awareness and IT Information Technology
Readiness for Undergraduate ITBS Iowa Test of Basic Skills
Programs ITED Iowa Tests of Educational Development
GED General Education Development ITEIP Infants and Toddlers Early Intervention
Certificate Program
GED/HEP General Educational Development/High ITIP Instructional Theory Into Practice
School Equivalency Program
GEPA General Education Provisions Act
GESA Generating Expectations and Student J

Achievement
GLE Grade Level Expectations JAG Jobs for America’s Graduates
GPA Grade Point Average JATC Joint Apprenticeship Training Council
JDRP Juvenile Detention Rehabilitation
Program
H
JRA Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration
JTPA Job Training Partnership Act
HD Health Department
HERO Home Economics Related Activities
HFALT Health and Fitness Assessment K

Leadership Team
HFL Home and Family Life K-TEA II Kaufman Test of Educational
HIV Human Immunodeficiency Virus Achievement 2nd Edition
HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and K-TEA/NU Kaufman Test of Educational
Accountability Act Achievement/Normative Update
HOTS Higher-Order Thinking Skills K20 Videoconference Network
HQ Highly Qualified KABC II Kaufman Assessment Battery for
HRC Human Rights Commission Children, 2nd Edition
HS Head Start KAIT Kaufman Adolescent and Adult
Intelligence Test
KM-R/NU Key Math-Revised/Normative Update
I KSA Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

IASA Improving America’s Schools Act
IB International Baccalaureate L

IBEST Integrated Basic Education Skills
Training L&I Department of Labor and Industries
ICW Indian Child Welfare LAP Learning Assistance Program
IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education LAS-O Language Assessment Scales Oral
Act LCD Liquid Crystal Display
IDEIA Individuals with Disabilities Education LD Learning Disability
Improvement Act LEP Limited English Proficient
IEE Independent Educational Evaluation LEITER-R Leiter-Revised
IEP Individualized Education Program LID Learning Improvement Day
IFSP Individualized Family Services Plan LNF Letter Naming Fluency
IHE Institution of Higher Education LON Letter of Notification
IMEC Interstate Migrant Education Council LPN Licensed Practical Nurse
IRT Item Response Theory LRE Least Restrictive Environment
ISF Initial Sound Fluency LSES Low Socio-economic Status
ISLLC Interstate School Leaders Licensure
Consortium


M O
MAA Medical Assistance Administration OCR Office for Civil Rights
M&O Maintenance and Operation OEO Office of the Education Ombudsman
MALT Math Assessment Leadership Team OJT On-The-Job Training
MAP Minority Achievement Program OME Office of Migrant Education
MAT Master of Arts in Teaching OPP Office of Professional Practices
MAT6 Metropolitan Achievement Test (6th OSEP Office of Special Education Programs
Edition) OSERS Office of Special Education and
MC Multiple Choice Rehabilitative Services
MCE Multicultural Education OSPI Office of Superintendent of Public
MECCA Making Equity Count for Classroom Instruction
Achievement OT Occupational Therapist
MEN Migrant Education News OWLS Oral and Written Language Scales
MEP Migrant Education Program
MERO Migrant Education Regional Office
METT Multi-Ethnic Think Tank P
MHC Math Helping Corps
MHCC Math Helping Corps Cadre PA Phonemic Awareness
MIT Masters in Teaching PAC Parent Advisory Council
MOE Maintenance of Effort PAIT-R/NU Peabody Individual Achievement Test-
MOST Measureable, Observable, Specific, Revised/Normative Update
Time-bound Goals PASS Portable Assisted Study Sequence
MPR Median Percentile Rank PAVE Parents Are Vital in Education
MR Mental Retardation PC Personal Computer
MSDR Migrant Student Data and Recruitment PDD Pervasive Development Disorder
MSIS Migrant Student Information System PGP Professional Growth Plan
MSRS Migrant Student Record System PGT Professional Growth Team
MSRTS Migrant Student Record Transfer PI Prevention/Intervention
System PIP Primary Intervention Program
M-V McKinney-Vento Act PL Public Law
ProCert Professional Certification
PSE Public School Employee
N PSESD Puget Sound Educational Service
District
N/A Not Applicable PSF Phoneme Segmentation Fluency
NAEP National Assessment of Educational PT Physical Therapist
Progress PTA Parent - Teacher Association
NBPTS National Board for Professional PTO Parent - Teacher Organization
Teaching Standards PTSA Parent - Teacher Student Association
NCLB No Child Left Behind (The 2001
Elementary and Secondary Education
Act Q
NEVAC North East Vocational Area Cooperative
NRT Norm-Referenced Tests
NWF Nonsense Word Fluency
R
R2R Right to Read


RALT Reading Assessment Leadership Team SLP Student Learning Plans
RAP Remediation Assistance Program SPED Special Education
RCW Revised Code of Washington SPI Superintendent of Public Instruction
RD Registered Dietitian SRSAP Small Rural School Achievement
REAP Rural Education Achievement Program Program
RESA Regional Education Services Agency SSALT Social Studies Assessment Leadership
RFI Request for Information Team
RFP Request for Proposal SSID State Student Identification Number
RTF Retell Fluency STBIP State Transitional Bilingual Instruction
RIC Resource Information Center Program
RLISP Rural Low-Income Schools Program STC School-To-Career
RN Registered Nurse STEPS Sequenced Transition from Education to
RRC Regional Resource Center Post-School Settings
RSN Regional Support Network STW School-To-Work
RTL Readiness To Learn
RTI Response to Intervention
T
S TA Technical Assistance
TAP Teacher Assistance Program
S-BIV Stanford-Binet IV TESA Teacher Expectations and Student
S-B5 Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, Fifth Achievement
Edition TBI Traumatic Brain Injury
SA Short Answer TBIP Transitional Bilingual Instruction
SAT Scholastic Achievement Test Program
SBD Severely Behaviorally Disabled TDD Telecommunication Device for the Deaf
SBE State Board of Education TPR Total Physical Response
SBP School Breakfast Program TSE Traffic Safety Education
SC Skills Center
SD School District
SDI Specifically Designed Instruction U
SE Special Education
SEAC Special Education Advisory Council UNIT Universal Nonverbal Intelligence Test
SEALT Special Education Assessment URRD Urban, Rural, Racial, Disadvantaged
Leadership Team USIC Unique Student Identifier Code
SEC Special Education Coalition
SEMY Secondary Education for Migrant Youth
SES Supplemental Education Services V
SETC Special Education Technology Center
SFSP Summer Food Service Program VC Video Conference
SI School Improvement
SIF School Improvement Facilitator
SIP
SIT
School Improvement Plan
School Improvement Team
W
SLA Second Language Acquisition
SLD Severe Learning Disabled WAAS Washington Alternate Assessment
SLD Specific Learning Disability System
SLE Supportive Learning Environments WAC Washington Administration Code
SLO Student Learning Objective WAIS-III Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
SLP Speech-Language Pathologist Third edition
SLP Student Leadership Program


WAIS-R Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
Revised
WASA Washington Association of School
Administrators
WASL Washington Assessment of Student
Learning
WEA Washington Education Association
WIAA Washington Interscholastic Activities
Association
WIAT Wechsler Individual Achievement Test
WIAT-II Wechsler Individual Achievement Test
Second Edition
WIC Women, Infants, and Children
WISC-III Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children
- Third Edition
WISC-IV Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children
- Fourth Edition
WJ-III Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Cognitive
Abilities or Achievement – Third
Edition
WJ-R Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational
Battery - Revised
WLPT II Washington Language Proficiency Test
– Second edition
WOIS Washington Occupational Information
Service
WPC Washington Pre-College (test)
WRMT-R/NU Woodcock Reading Mastery Test
Revised/Normative Update
WUF Word Use Fluency
WWW World Wide Web

X

Y

Z


Notes:


by the federal government, that public
General Education Terms
schools must achieve each year.

A Administrator – A school district employee,
such as principal, director, or
superintendent, who is responsible for
Ability grouping – Assigning students with directing and managing a school or
similar skills to learning groups. program.
Absence – Any part of a school day when a Advanced Placement (AP) Program – A
student is not in school. series of high-level courses that high school
students can take to earn college credits.
Academic Achievement – What a student has
learned from classroom instruction. Advisory Group – A small group of students
who meet regularly with a school staff
Academic Advisor – The member of the member to discuss school work and
teaching staff assigned to provide school requirements.
advice and guidance to students.
Advocate – (noun) Someone who acts on
Accountability – The expectation that schools behalf of another person.
and/or educators should be held responsible
for improving student achievement and Advocate (To) – (verb) To support or speak in
should be rewarded or sanctioned for their favor of an idea, issue, or person(s).
success or lack of success in doing so.
Affective – A term which refers to emotions
Accreditation – Official recognition that a and attitudes.
person or an organization meets specific
requirements to be able to deliver After-school Program – Programs run by
instruction. schools and/or organizations that provide
recreational and learning activities for
Accuracy – The ability to correctly read, write, students after the end of the regular school
and solve problems. day or on the weekends.
Achievement Gap – A consistent difference in Alignment – How well the skills and
academic test scores between groups of knowledge taught in schools match the
students. The gaps most frequently referred requirements of state and/or federal learning
to are those between white students and standards.
minority groups such as African-American
and Hispanic students. Alternative Assessment – Any form of
measuring what students know and are able
Achievement Tests – Tests used to measure to do other than traditional tests. Examples
how much a student has learned in various are: oral reports, projects, performances,
school subjects. experiments, portfolios (collections of
student’s work), and class participation.
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) – The
minimum level of improvement established


Alternative School – A public school designed AVID – AVID stands for Advancement Via
by a school district to serve students whose Individual Determination and is a fourth-
needs are not being met in the traditional through twelfth-grade system to prepare
public school environment. students for four-year college eligibility.
Schools that participate in AVID are required
American College Test (ACT) – The ACT is to meet staff training and membership
one of the two commonly used tests requirements.
designed to assess high school students'
general educational development and their
ability to complete college-level work. B
Appeal – A request for a person or entity with Bachelor’s Degree – An award that normally
greater authority to review and change an requires at least four years of full-time
earlier decision. equivalent college courses.

Apprenticeship – A combination of on-the-job Basic Skills – The fundamental skills needed
training (OJT) and related classroom to succeed in school and eventually in life.
instruction under the supervision of a trade Historically, these skills have included the
professional. ability to read, write, and calculate (math).

Aptitude Tests – Tests that attempt to predict Becca Bill – A Washington state law that
a person's ability to do something. requires school districts to take specific
actions when students are absent. The law
Articulation Agreement – An agreement is RCW 28A.225.030.
between a high school or skill center and a
community or technical college that allows Below Average – Under the usual, expected,
the high school or skill center to offer or ordinary quality or performance.
college credit for a secondary career and
technical education (CTE) course. Benchmark – The level of performance
students should show by a particular point in
Assessment – Teacher-made tests, their schooling.
standardized tests, or tests from textbook
companies that are used to measure a Best Practices – Classroom instructional
student's skills or knowledge. strategies that have been demonstrated and
accepted by the professional community to
Associate Degree – An award showing that a improve student learning.
student has completed a two-year course of
study in a community college. Bilingual Education – School program where
two languages are used to teach the
Average – Usual, expected, or ordinary curriculum so that students gain knowledge
performance. of both languages.

Average Daily Attendance (ADA) – The total Block Scheduling – Usually used in middle or
number of days of student attendance high school, this scheduling allow student to
divided by the total number of days in the have fewer classes per day and longer time
regular school year. in each class.


Bond Measure – An agreement by the citizens Certificate of Individual Achievement – An
of a school district to repay the money official document available for students with
borrowed by the school district for major an Individualized Education Program (IEP)
construction or purchases, such as new who are unable to take the High School
school buildings, computers, or school HSPE (with or without accommodations).
improvements.
Certificated Staff – School employees who are
Boosters – A volunteer organization, usually required by the state to hold teaching
parents and alumni, whose sole objective is certificates. Also referred to as Certified
to provide ongoing financial assistance in Staff.
support of a schools’ extracurricular
programs, for example athletic program Character Education – A method that teaches
boosters or music boosters. students about basic human values.

Breakfast Program – A program using state Charter School – A school that is run by a
and federal dollars to provide low-cost or group of organizers other than the school
free breakfasts to low income students. board and free from most state and local
regulations.
Budget – The plan for how to spend the
school’s or school district’s funds. Classroom Management – The way a
classroom is organized to make instructional
Bulletin – A printed news publication. time as productive possible for all students.

Bullying – Repeated negative behavior that a Class Size – The number of students enrolled
person uses to take advantage of someone in a school classroom.
with less power. A bully is someone who
uses bullying behavior. Closed Campus – A school where students
are not allowed to leave the school grounds
during the school day without permission.
C
Cognitive – A term which refers to reasoning
Cadre – A group. or intellectual capacity.

Calendar Day – Refers to all days of the week, Cognitive Development – The changes in the
including weekends and holidays. way children think, process information, and
learn as they grow up.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) –
Classes that allow students to get credit for Cognitive Learning – The mental processes
training in a skill or trade while still in high involved in learning, such as remembering
school. CTE classes may be held on-site or and understanding facts and ideas.
at a skill center.
Collaboration – Individuals working together
Categorical Funds – Funds from the state or to accomplish goals.
federal government granted to qualifying
school districts for specific programs and/or Collaborative Learning – An instructional
for particular groups of students. strategy where students of different abilities


and interests work together in small groups Constructivism – A learning theory that states
to solve a problem, complete a project, or that students learn by creating their own
achieve a common goal. Also known as knowledge. Also known as Discovery
Cooperative Learning. Learning.

College Readiness – The level of preparation Contempt of Court – Someone who has
a student needs to be ready to enroll and willfully violated a court order can be judged
succeed, without remediation, in credit- to be in contempt of court.
bearing college course.
Contempt Hearing – The court hearing where
Community Schools – Schools that provide a judge determines whether or not someone
essential services, such as medical and is in contempt of court.
dental services, nutrition classes, parent
programs, and social services, for both Content Standards – Standards that describe
students and families. what students should know and be able to
do in core academic subjects at each grade
Community College – A two-year college, level.
may also be known as a Junior College.
Content-related Vocabulary – The words a
Competence Tests – Tests created by a student must know to communicate
school district or state that students must effectively about subject area material such
pass before graduating. as math, social studies, science, etc.

Complex sentences – Sentences with more Context Clues – The words, phrases, and
than one clause or verbal phrase. sentences surrounding an unfamiliar
vocabulary word that help the student arrive
Comprehension – This is a term used to at a possible definition.
describe the interpretations, understanding,
and meaning readers construct as they Continuous Progress – A system of
listen to and read stories. education in which individuals or small
groups of students go through a sequence
Computer-assisted Instruction (CAI) – of lessons at their own pace, rather than at
Educational programs delivered through the the pace of the entire classroom group.
use of computers and educational software.
Conditional Certificate – A temporary
Conflict Management – A strategy that teaching certificate given to a person who
schools use to prevent and address conflict has expertise in a particular subject and that
among students. It usually includes a set of has been hired by a school district because
expectations for behavior. they cannot find a certificated teacher with
an endorsement in that subject.
Conflict Resolution – A defined practice
based on an understanding that there are Core Academic Subjects– The academic
various perspectives to address and solve a subjects schools and districts require all
problem. students to take in order to be eligible for
grade promotion and graduation.


Core Curriculum – The main body of (adjectives and adverbs) and are more
knowledge that all students are expected to elaborate than simple sentences.
learn.
Detention – A disciplinary action that removes
Credit – A unit of coursework given for a student from the classroom to another
satisfactory completion of the course. designated space within the school.

Criterion-referenced Tests – Tests designed Developmentally Appropriate – Curriculum
to measure how thoroughly a student has and instruction that is based on the mental
learned a particular subject compared to an and physical development of the student.
established benchmark.
Developmental Screening Tests – Tests
Critical Thinking – Logical thinking based on used to identify students who may have
sound evidence. physical, behavioral, and/or developmental
disabilities or delays, or sensory
Cultural Competence – A set of attitudes, impairments.
awareness, knowledge, and skills that
enables effective teaching in racially, DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early
culturally and socio-economically diverse Literacy Skills) – A testing tool that helps
classrooms. teachers determine at what level students in
grades Kindergarten through 6th are able to
Curriculum – The subject matter that is to be read and write.
learned.
Differentiated Instruction – An instructional
Curriculum Materials – Text, audio, video, technique that includes various ways to
and/or electronic media used to teach the teach content and assess learning. It is used
curriculum of a school or subject area. to meet student needs and differences in
readiness, interests, and learning styles.
Cut Score – The minimum score needed to
pass a test. Diploma – A certificate conferred by a high
school, college, university or other
Cyber Schools – Educational institutions that educational institution as official recognition
offer most or all of their instruction by for the completion of a program of studies.
computer through the internet.
Direct Instruction – A teaching technique in
which the teacher presents the content and
D students are expected to respond in a
specific manner.
Decoding – The process of translating
individual letters or groups of letters into Discipline – All forms of corrective action or
sounds so that the reader can pronounce a punishment used with students.
word.
Distance Learning – Taking classes in
Descriptive Sentences – Sentences that locations other than the classroom or places
contain modifying words or phrases where teachers present the lessons
including online, DVD, or telecommuting.


Diversity – Diversity involves recognizing a Early Childhood Education – The education
variety of student characteristics including of pre-school age children.
those of ethnicity, language, socioeconomic
class, disabilities, and gender. Electronic Media – The different electronic
sources such as television, web pages, e-
Dismissed – When a court case is dismissed, mail, CDs, etc. that may provide information
it ends. or be used to share information.

DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment) ELL (English Language Learner) – A person
A tool teachers use to assess and record learning English whose primary language is
Kindergarten to 3rd grade students' reading other than English.
development.
Emergency Expulsion – Immediate removal
Dropouts – Students who leave high school of a student from school or class for an
before graduating. indefinite period of time.

Dual Credit – A course or program where high Emergent Literacy – The view that reading
school students can earn both high school and writing learning begins at birth and is
and college credits for the same course. supported by adult interactions.

Dual-language Program – A school program Emotional Development -The ways in which
designed to serve both language minority individuals learn to interact in socially
and language majority students at the same acceptable ways, establish and maintain
time. Students from two language groups relationships, and view themselves in
receive instruction in both languages. Also positive ways.
known as Dual Immersion Program.
Enrichment – Topics and activities that are not
Due Process of Law – Ensures that a person considered part of basic education.
will be notified and have an opportunity to
be heard before any public entity can Environmental Education – An educational
change her/his rights. practice that builds students’ awareness of
the natural world and how to protect it.
Dyslexia – Dyslexia is a specific learning
disability that is neurological in origin. It is Equal Access –Case law based on religious
characterized by difficulties with accurate non-discrimination. It requires schools that
and/or fluent word recognition and by poor allow extra-curricular, voluntary-participation
spelling and decoding abilities. student clubs to meet on school property to
also allow extra-curricular school use to
religious groups.
E
ESL (English as a Second Language) –
EALR (Essential Academic Learning English language instruction for students
Requirement) – Washington State’s whose primary language is not English.
definition of what all students should know
and be able to do as a graduate of public
schools.


Evaluate – To conduct a careful appraisal or Fine Motor – Functions which require tiny
study of something and determine its worth muscle movements, for example, writing or
or value. typing.

Expenditure – All amounts of money paid out Fluency – The ability to read a text accurately,
by a school system. quickly, and with proper expression and
comprehension.
Experiential Education – Education that
emphasizes learning from experiences Formative Assessment – A test that
rather than from lectures, books, and other determines what students have learned at a
secondhand sources and which may take particular time in order to plan further
the form of internships, service learning, instruction. Also knows as Formative Test.
school-to-work programs, field studies, or
similar experiences. Free or Reduced-Price Meal – A federal
program that provides breakfast, lunch,
Expulsion – Removal of a student from and/or after school snacks for students from
school, class, or sometimes district property low-income families.
for an indefinite period of time.
Functional Illiteracy – The inability to read or
Extra-curricular Activities – Activities that are write well enough to perform many basic,
not part of the required curriculum and that necessary tasks in daily life.
take place outside of the regular course of
study.
G
F Guardian – Person legally placed in charge of
the welfare of a minor or of someone
Fact Finding Hearing – A court procedure incapable of managing her or his own
where a judge determines whether a legal affairs.
case can be made against an individual.
GEAR-UP (Gaining Early Awareness and
Familiar Sounds – Sounds that students hear Readiness for Undergraduate Programs)
or speak in their primary language. A federal grant program created to increase
the number of low-income students who are
Family involvement in education – Another prepared to enter and succeed in college.
term for parent participation in the education
of their children . Gender Bias – The idea that one gender or
the other is short-changed by school
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and practices and expectations.
Privacy Act) – A federal law that protects General Educational Development (GED)
the privacy of student education records. Test – A high school equivalency test
certifies that a person has the skills and
Financial Aid – Grants, loans, and funds knowledge equal to those of a high school
provided by the government for college graduate.
expenses, such as college tuition, textbooks,
and sometimes the living costs of students.


General Vocabulary – Words that are critical Graphic Features – Maps, diagrams, graphs,
to understanding the main idea, events, charts, or pictures that help make the text
characters, themes of a lesson. meaningful and interesting to readers.

Generalize – To arrive at a broad conclusion Graphing Calculator – A calculator with a
based upon a small piece of evidence. May larger display that draws and displays math
also be referred to as Generalization. functions and data.

Genres – A term used to classify literary and Gross motor – Functions which require large
informational works into categories, such as muscle movements, for example, walking or
biography, mystery, historical fiction, etc. jumping.

Gifted and Talented Program- A program that Guidance Counselor – School staff member
offers advanced coursework to students who provides academic advice to students
identified as being academically gifted or and their families, helps them address
talented. learning problems, and assists students in
career and personal development.
GLE (Grade Level Expectation) – The
essential content or subject matter to be Guided Practice – A teacher-led activity that
learned by students at a specific grade level. the class completes together.

Grade Point Average (GPA) – A system of
scoring student achievement. Student's H
GPA is computed by multiplying the grade
received in each course by the number of Head Start Program – A federally sponsored
credits offered for each course, then dividing preschool program for children from low-
by the total number of credit hours studied. income families.

Graduate – A student who has received a Health Education – Curriculum that addresses
diploma for successfully completing a physical, mental, emotional, and social
program or school’s course requirements. health.

Graduate School – University level school that Hearing Examiner/Officer – The decision-
provides instruction and degrees beyond the maker in school discipline hearings.
bachelor degree.
Heterogeneous Grouping – The practice of
Graduation Requirements – The courses and grouping together students of varying
number of credits required by a school abilities, interests, or ages for instruction.
district or the state to receive a high school
diploma. The state provides a minimum set Higher Education – Study beyond high school
of requirements, and school boards can set at a college or university that results in an
additional graduation requirements for their associate, bachelor, or higher degree. Also
school district. known as Post-secondary Education.

Grant – Funds provided for students to attend
college that do not have to be repaid.


Higher-Order Questions – Questions that Immersion – A program that teaches children
require thinking and reflection rather than to speak, read, and write in another
single-solution responses. language by instructing them in that
language.
Higher-Order Thinking Skills – The ability to
understand complex concepts and apply Inclusion – The practice of educating all
sometimes conflicting information to solve a children of various needs and capabilities in
problem that may have more than one the same classroom.
correct answer.
Incomplete – A temporary grade stating that a
High Frequency Words – High utility words student has not finished all class
which make up 50% of printed text, for assignments at the end of a grading period.
example: A, the, this, that, etc.
Independent Study – An opportunity for
Highly Qualified Teacher – Teachers are students to conduct self-directed learning
required by federal law (NCLB) to meet and receive credit.
following three criteria to be considered highly
qualified: Individualized Instruction – A practice
1) Holds at least a bachelor’s degree. provides each student with the lessons and
2) Holds full state certification. assignments according to her/his strengths
3) Demonstrates subject matter knowledge and needs. Students work at their own pace
and teaching skill in each core academic to learn the material. Also called
subject assigned to teach. Individualized Education, Differentiated
Curriculum, Individualized Education, or
High School – Generally grades 9th through Differentiated Instruction.
12th.
Inference – A conclusion reached after
Homework – Regular assignments to be reading text and using past knowledge and
completed outside the classroom. experience to understand it.

Honors Program – Courses a school or Informal Knowledge – Knowledge about a
district designs and offers to students to topic that students learn through experience
challenge their learning beyond the regular outside of the classroom.
curriculum.
Inquiry – A process in which students explore
a problem, and create and work through a
I plan to solve the problem.

Idiom – An expression that does not mean Inquiry-based Learning – An instructional
what it literally says, for example, “you drive method where students create questions
me crazy”, “hit the deck”. about a phenomenon, fact, or piece of
literature, and work to answer their
Illiteracy – Lack of reading and/or writing questions through an exploration of the
skills. topic.


In Loco Parentis – Refers to an individual who
takes on the parent role and responsibilities Interpretation – The process of verbally
for a child without formally adopting him/her. communicating information from one
language into another language keeping the
Integrated Curriculum – The practice of using intent and meaning of the original
a single theme to teach a variety of subjects. information.

Internship – Workplace learning that gives
students an opportunity to apply their J
knowledge and learn new skills.

In-service – Continuing professional education
for educators. Also known as Staff K
Development or Professional
Development. K-12 – Refers to Kindergarten through 12th
grade education.
Instructional Aide – A school employee
assigned to help teachers with the education Kindergarten Entry Age – The age when
of students. Also known as an Instructional children are eligible to enroll in Kindergarten,
Assistant, Paraeducator, or usually at least 5 years old.
Paraprofessional.

Interactive Learning – Occurs when the L
teacher or computer software adjusts the
instruction in response to the learner’s Language Arts – Another term for English
needs. curriculum. The focus is on reading,
speaking, listening, and writing skills.
Interdisciplinary Curriculum – A way to
organize curriculum in which content is Learner-centered Classroom – Classroom in
drawn from two or more subject areas to which students are encouraged to choose
focus on a particular topic or theme. Also their own learning goals and projects. Also
referred to as Multidisciplinary known as a Student-Centered Classroom.
Curriculum, Integration, or Integrated
Curriculum. Learning Contract – An agreement between a
student, teacher, parent (or other adult as a
International Baccalaureate (IB) – IB courses family member) detailing how the student
are offered as part of the International will work toward specified learning
Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, a objectives.
rigorous two-year curriculum (geared
primarily to students aged 16 to 19) that Learning Disability – A condition that
leads to a degree that is widely recognized interferes with a student’s ability to learn.
internationally. It prepares students for a Also known as a Learning Disorder.
university education, with a specific focus on
the ability to communicate with and Learning Styles – Differences in the way
understand people from other countries and students learn best including through
cultures. hearing, seeing, or doing the learning task.


supports defined in their Individualized
Letter of Recommendation – A letter written Education Plan.
by a teacher or other adult that supports a
student’s application for a program, college, Magnet Schools – An alternative public school
or a job. that often focuses on a particular area of
study, such as performing arts or science
Levy – (noun) An additional sum to property and technology, in addition to the core
taxes within a school district for education- curriculum.
related expenditures. Residents of the
school district vote on whether to pay these Manipulatives – Any object, for example,
levy taxes. blocks, toothpicks, or coins, that can be
used to represent or model a problem
Levy – (verb) To impose taxes. situation or develop a mathematical concept.

LEP (Limited English Proficient) Students – McKinney-Vento Act – Federal legislation that
Students who are reasonably fluent in provides educational services to homeless
another language but who have not yet students which are equal to all other
achieved comparable skills in reading, enrolled students, and ensures that
writing, listening, or speaking English. Also homeless children and youth have equal
known as English Language Learner opportunities to enroll in, attend, and be
(ELL). successful in school.

Literacy – Ability to read and write. Also refers Measurement of Student Progress (MSP) –
to other types of knowledge and skills such Beginning in the 2009-10 school year, the
as scientific literacy, computer literacy, etc. Washington Assessment of Student
Learning (WASL) for grades 3rd through 8th
Literal – The common or ordinary meaning of will be replaced by the Measurements of
words. Student Progress (MSP) to identify students’
abilities in math (grades 3rd through 8th),
Local Revenues – The money a school district reading (grades 3rd through 8th), science
receives from local taxes, investments, and (grades 5th and 8th), and writing (grades 4th
student activities. and 7th). The testing window for the MSP will
be in May beginning spring 2010.
Long-Term Suspension – Exclusion from
school for more than 10 days. Mediation – A strategy for conflict resolution
which relies upon a neutral third party work
Looping – A school practice where the teacher to help parties arrive at an agreed upon
moves with his or her students to the next compromise.
grade level, rather than sending them to
another teacher the next school year. Mentor – To serve as a role model for another
person.
M MESA (Mathematics Engineering Science
Achievement) – The MESA program
Mainstream – To place students with assists academically disadvantaged
disabilities into regular classrooms with the students, especially students of color, girls,


and students in poverty, by helping them to students make plans, set class schedules,
prepare for and successfully complete a 4 and prepare for life beyond high school.
year college program.
Neighborhood Schools – Public schools
Middle School – Schools for students in the nearest to students’ homes as determined
early adolescent years, generally grade 6th by school district attendance boundaries.
through grade 8th .
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) – A federal law
Modeling – The practice of demonstrating to that requires yearly student testing,
the learner how to do a task, so that the consequences for schools or districts that do
learner can copy the model. It often includes not meet standards, and requires all
thinking aloud or talking about how to work teachers and assistants to be highly
through a task. qualified.

Multi-age Classroom – A classroom that Non-verbal Communication – Messages sent
includes children from different grades. by way of gestures and other body
language, and drawings.
Multi-disciplinary Curriculum – Generally
refers to learning a particular topic area Notice – Notification of an action that usually
through the viewpoint of more than one contains information about legal rights to
subject. appeal a decision.

Multiple Intelligences – A theory of
intelligence developed in the 1980s by O
Howard Gardner that broadly defines
intelligence beyond mathematical and Office of the Superintendent of Public
linguistic, to include musical, spatial, bodily- Instruction (OSPI) – The primary state
kinesthetic, and intrapersonal. agency charged with overseeing K-12
education in Washington State.
N Office of the Education Ombudsman (OEO)
A state agency that helps resolve problems
National Assessment of Educational and disputes between families and schools.
Progress (NAEP) – Also called “the (www.waparentslearn.org)
Nation’s Report Card,” this federal test uses
groups of students in grades 4th , 8th and Ombudsman – A person that helps resolve
12th from around the country to measure conflict or disputes.
progress in reading, mathematics, science,
writing, U.S. history, civics, geography, and On-Time Graduation rate – The number of
the arts. Scores are reported nationally and students who started grade 9th in the fall of
by state, but not for individual students or a particular year and are expected to
schools. graduate four years later.

Navigation 101 – A program for students in Open-Ended Question – A question that can
grades 6th through 12th with the goal to help be answered in more than one way and may
have more than one correct answer.


Outcomes – What students are supposed to Per-pupil Expenditures – Expenditures made
know and be able to do. by schools, a school district, or the state
divided by the total number of students in
the school, school district, or state.
P
Petition for Readmission – A request to have
Parent Involvement – The participation of a student return to school before the end of
parents in the education of their children. an expulsion or suspension.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA) – A Phonemic Awareness – The ability to identify
national, nonprofit organization, independent and combine individual sounds (phonemes)
of the public school system that supports into spoken words.
family involvement in schools and advocates
for children. When student members are Phonics – An instructional strategy used to
included, the name often becomes PTSA or teach reading. It helps beginning readers by
Parent Teacher Student Association. teaching them letter-sound relationships and
having them sound out words.
Parent Teacher Conference – A meeting
where the parents and the teacher of a Picture Dictionary – A dictionary that defines
particular student discuss present and future words using pictures and graphics.
academic progress.
Placement Exam – A skills test given to new
Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) – A students to determine what class or courses
local, school-based, organization of parents, are best for their abilities and interests.
and others to support family and public
involvement in the school and advocate for Policy – A piece of legislation, norm, or
students. regulation.

Pedagogy – The art or profession of teaching. Portable – A building, often with one or two
rooms, that is used as a classroom and can
Peer Mediation – Programs in which students be moved when it is no longer needed.
are trained in conflict resolution and assist
other students to work through problems Portfolio – A collection of work that
without using violence. demonstrates and documents the student's
learning progress over time. It might include
Performance Assessment – A test that writing samples, examples of math
determines what students know through problems, and results of science
their ability to perform certain tasks. experiments.

Performance Criteria – The skills or Prerequisite – A course that must be
knowledge that will be evaluated as a completed before a student is allowed to
student completes a task. register for a more advanced course.
Performance Tasks – Activities, exercises, or Primary Language – A student's first
problems that require students to show what language. The language spoken at home.
they can do.


Principal – The certificated hired by the
Superintendent to manage the day-to-day R
business of the school, supervise and
evaluate school staff. Readability – The level of difficulty in a written
passage.
Professional Development – Programs that
allow teachers or administrators to acquire Reference Tools – Materials for students to
the knowledge and skills they need to refer to in order to check spelling, word
perform their jobs successfully. Also known meaning, grammar, etc., such as picture
as Inservice. dictionaries and/or bilingual dictionaries.

Proficiency – The ability to do something at Remedial Class – Instruction, usually in
grade level. addition to regular classroom learning, that
provide additional time or attention for a
Prompt – Pictures or words to which a student student to learn what’s expected at their
responds orally or in writing. grade level.

Pull-out Programs – The practice of providing Report Card – The record of student
instruction in small groups outside of the attendance and grades for each grading
regular classroom in order to give particular period and the entire school year. Student
students additional learning opportunities. report cards are sent home for parent review
Pupil – A student. each grading period.

Purge – An action to be done by an individual Response to Intervention (RTI) – A tool that
found to be in violation of a court order. helps educators identify students at risk for
poor learning outcomes, provide evidence-
based instructional strategies, monitor
Q student progress, and adjust the
interventions in response to students’
Quick Write – An exercise where students reaction to the intervention.
quickly write down everything they know
about a topic. Rubric – A grading or scoring system that lists
what work students must show to be
Quota – The number or amount constituting a proficient. Also called a Scoring Guide.
proportional share.
Running Start – A college preparation option
Quotation – The repeated statement from a that permits students in grades 11th and 12th
person or from text. When written, it is to take courses on local community and
enclosed in quotation marks. technical college campuses and earn credit
toward both high school graduation and a
Quorum – The minimum number of members college degree.
of a group required to be present at a
meeting in order to make decisions for an
organization.
S


Sanctions – Another word for punishment. School-Family Partnership – Collaborative
relationships between educators and family
Scaffolding – An instructional technique in members based on mutual respect, trust,
which the teacher breaks a complex task equality and shared goals that support and
into smaller tasks and supports students as focus on student academic success.
they learn, and then gradually shifts
responsibility for learning to the students. School Improvement Plan (SIP) – The long-
term plan schools create with staff and
School-Based Management – A system of parents to ensure that all students are
school governance by which many school achieving at high levels.
level decisions are made by the individual
school rather than at district or other agency School Improvement Status – The
level. Also known as Site-Based consequences faced by schools and districts
Management or Site-Based Decision that do not meet adequate yearly progress
Making. (AYP) required by No Child Left Behind
federal legislation.
School Board - The school board is formed by
School Board Directors or members. They School Readiness – The basic background
set goals and policy, hire and supervise the and knowledge that children are usually
Superintendent, and manage the finances of expected to have upon entering
the school district. kindergarten.

School Board Directors – Citizens who live School Records – Any information about a
within a school district and are elected by student kept by the school.
other citizens to be part of the school board
of directors. School-to-Work – A curriculum that integrates
academic study with up-to-date career and
School Choice – The opportunity for families technical education and work-readiness
to choose which schools their children will skills.
attend.
Scientifically-based Research – Research
School Culture – The values, cultures, safety about educational programs and activities
practices, and organizational structures that that uses systemic and objective procedures
cause a school community to function and that provide results considered reliable and
react in particular ways. Also knows as valid.
School Climate or School Environment.
Section 504 Plan – Section 504 of the
School Day – Any day, including a partial day, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 extended civil
when students attend school for instruction. rights to people with disabilities. It allows for
reasonable accommodations as necessary
School District – The organization for each student. Services,
responsible for providing free public accommodations, and program
education for school-age children residing modifications for students who qualify under
within a specific area of a city, county, or Section 504 are outlined in a document
state. called “504 Plan.”


Self-correction – Student recognizes and Standardized Achievement Tests (SAT) – A
corrects error without input from others. test widely used as a college entrance
examination. Also known as the SAT
Self-efficacy – Learners' beliefs about their Reasoning Test (formerly called the
capacity of succeeding when learning Scholastic Aptitude Test).
specific topics or tasks.
Standardized Testing – A test provided in the
Self-esteem – An affective or emotional same format for all who take it.
reaction to the self.
Standards – Statements of what students
Sign Language – A way of communicating should know and be able to demonstrate.
that uses signs made with the hands, facial
expressions, and body movements. Statute – A piece of legislation, law.

Sight Vocabulary – Words that a reader can Story Elements – The critical parts of a story
immediately read without having to decode. include character, setting, plot, problem,
Also known as Sight Words. solution.

Snow Day – Refers to a day that schools are Student-centered Classroom – Classroom in
closed because of unsafe winter weather. It which students are encouraged to choose
can also refer to the day added to the school their own learning goals and projects. Also
calendar that replaces the missed school known as Learner-centered Classroom.
time.
Student Learning Plan (SLP) – A formal
Social Studies – Includes the subjects of education document to provide regular
civics, geography, economics, history, and communication to parents about the
the skills of research, reasoning, and student’s continued academic progress and
analysis that students should be able to use to assure that students are on track for high
in their studies of these subjects. school graduation.

Social Promotion – The practice of promoting Student-led Conference – A variation of the
students to the next grade whether or not parent-teacher conference in which the
they have accomplished the goals of their student prepares for the conference and
current grade. leads it by showing the parents or family
members samples of her work and
Special Education – Instruction provided for discussing areas of strengths and
students with disabilities according to the weaknesses.
requirements of the federal Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Student Study Team – A team of educators
(See also Special Education Glossary and school staff that comes together at the
section of this publication) request of a classroom teacher, parent, or
counselor to develop a support system to
Special Needs Students – Students who meet the needs of a particular student. Also
require special instructional programs to referred to as a Multi-disciplinary Team or
reach their learning potential. Student Intervention Team.


Student Teacher – A teacher in training Team Teaching – An arrangement by which
whose practice teaching is supervised by two or more teachers teach the same group
certificated staff or teacher. of students.

Substitute Teacher – A certified teacher who Tenure – The legal provision that people in
teaches classes when the regular teacher is certain positions may be fired only for
absent. specific cause.

Summary – A condensed form of a particular Thematic Units – A unit of study that uses a
piece of information. specific theme. Sometimes thematic units
include all core subject areas.
Summons – An official call or notice to attend
court at a specific date and time for a Think, Pair, Share – A cooperative learning
particular purpose. strategy where students first think about a
topic, pair with another student to discuss
Superintendent – The person hired by the their ideas, and then share with the whole
School Board to manage the day-to-day class.
business of the school district. The
superintendent evaluates other district Title I –A federal program that provides funds
administrators and principals. to improve the academic achievement for
educationally disadvantaged students who
Superintendent of Public Instruction – The score below the 50th percentile on
individual elected by the state’s voters to standardized tests.
lead the Office of Superintendent of Public
Instruction (OSPI). Total Physical Response (TPR) – A
language-learning approach that
Supplemental Education – Additional emphasizes the use of physical activity to
instruction to basic education. increase vocabulary retention.

Suspension – A disciplinary action that Tracking – A teaching practice that groups
removes a student from school for a definite students to receive instruction according to
period of time. Long-term suspensions last their abilities.
for more than 10 days; short term
suspensions last fewer than 10 days. Transcript – A copy of a student's permanent
school record that shows courses taken,
Syllabus – An outline and description of a grades, graduation status, and attendance
course. and often includes assessments such as
PSAT, SAT, ACT. Also known as Student
Records.
T
Transfer of Learning – The ability to take
Teacher Certification – Official state previously learned knowledge or skills and
recognition that a person is meets state apply them to new situations.
standards and is qualified to be a teacher in
Washington’s public schools. Translation – The process of transcribing
written information from one language into


another language keeping the meaning and which course Credit is awarded. Also known
intent of the original information. as Work-site Learning.

Truancy Petition – Paperwork submitted by a Work-study Program – A Financial Aid
school district to juvenile court listing the program that provides jobs for students to
number of school days missed by the earn part of their college related costs.
student and the actions taken by the district
to help the student return to school. This Writers’ Workshop – A classroom practice
paperwork must be submitted before the that teaches students how to write through a
student can be summoned to juvenile court short strategy lesson, an opportunity to write
for a hearing. independently, and a discussion of how the
writing lesson was used to change or
Truant Students –Youth ages 8 to 18 who do improve their skills.
not attend school every day as required by
Washington State law.
X

Tutor – Person who provides extra help for
students with their schoolwork. A tutor may
be another student or an adult.
Y

U
Year-round Schooling – A school calendar
that gives students shorter breaks
Unit of Study – A segment of instruction throughout the year, instead of a traditional
focused on a particular topic. three-month summer break.

University – An institution of higher education
and research, which grants academic Z

degrees in a variety of subjects in both
undergraduate and postgraduate education. Zero Tolerance – School district policy that
defines specific punishment for students
who break certain rules.
V

W

Whole Language Approach – A teaching
method that emphasizes reading for
meaning in context.

Work-based Learning – Supervised learning
activities for students that occur in paid or
unpaid workplace assignments, and for


Notes:


Special Education Terms
A

Special education is a service that some Accessibility – A barrier-free environment
children with disabilities receive. Not all where students with disabilities can have
children with disabilities qualify for special maximum participation in all programs and
education services. activities offered in a school setting.
Some of the following terms are for students Accommodations – Changes in the way
who receive accommodations either through a instruction, assessment, and instructional
504 plan or through the use of differentiated materials are designed and used to respond
instruction that is part of a quality general to the special needs of students with
education program. The federal and state laws disabilities. Most often related to students
for special education pursuant to the who have a 504 plan or an IEP.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
(IDEA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Adaptive Skills – A term which refers to age-
Act of 1973 (a civil rights law) concerning appropriate self-help skills, including
students with disabilities can sometimes be independent eating, toileting, personal
complex and confusing. hygiene and dressing skills. This may be an
area for evaluation and may be a goal area
The brief definitions provided here are not for some students with an IEP.
intended to be complete, but rather to provide
a concise description of the topic as it is being Administrative Hearing – A formal process
used during a conversation among adults who for parents and school districts to resolve
work with and/or care for children with disagreements about discipline and special
disabilities. Users are encouraged to seek education services. An administrative
further, more fully descriptive information about hearing concerning Special Education
each of these terms from medical professionals matters is known as a Due Process Hearing.
and other knowledgeable sources such as There are other types of hearings that are
school staff, parent groups, or disability- used in education, including discipline, that
specific support groups. Users should also are not a part of Special Education.
refer to the federal and state statutes and
regulations for legal definitions. Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) – A judge
who handles only administrative hearings (of
See also: Protecting the Educational Rights all types, not just education). ALJs serve as
of Students with Disabilities in Public the judges in special education due process
Schools a free publication from the Office of hearing.
the Education Ombudsman’s available at:
www.waparentslearn.org. Advocate – An individual who is not an
attorney, but who assists or represents
parents to communicate their concerns and
obtain necessary special education and
related services for their child.

Affective – A term which refers to emotions
and attitudes.


Family Dictionary of Education Terms

Family Dictionary of Education Terms

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