The terms you keep hearing, in plain language

22 terms

Individualized Education ProgramIEP

A written plan developed by a school team, including the parent, for a student who has been found eligible for special education. It describes the student's current performance, annual goals, and the specialized instruction, services and supports the school will provide.

Source: IDEA — U.S. Department of Education

Individuals with Disabilities Education ActIDEA

The federal special education law that governs how states and schools provide special education and related services to eligible children.

Source: IDEA — U.S. Department of Education

Free Appropriate Public EducationFAPE

A core concept in federal special education law describing the education an eligible student is entitled to receive at public expense.

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Least Restrictive EnvironmentLRE

The principle that students receiving special education should be educated with peers who do not have disabilities to the extent appropriate for that student.

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504 Plan

A plan developed under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act that describes accommodations and access supports for a student with a disability, so the student can participate in school.

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Accommodation

A change in how a student accesses learning or shows what they know — for example extended time, a quiet testing space or audio versions of texts — without changing what is being taught.

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Modification

A change to what a student is expected to learn or demonstrate, such as reducing the number or complexity of items covered.

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Related Services

Supportive services a student may receive to benefit from special education, such as speech-language therapy, occupational therapy or counseling, when the team determines they are needed.

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Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional PerformancePLAAFP

The section of an IEP that describes how the student is currently doing academically and functionally, and how the disability affects participation and progress.

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Annual Goals

The measurable goals written in an IEP describing what the team expects the student to work toward over the coming year, and how progress will be measured.

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Reevaluation

A review process in which the team considers whether the student continues to be eligible and what the student's current needs are. It may or may not include new testing.

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Transition Services

Planning and supports focused on life after high school — such as further education, employment and independent living — that become part of the IEP as a student gets older.

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Procedural Safeguards

The written notice schools provide describing parents' rights in the special education process, including notice, consent and dispute-resolution options.

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Evaluation

The process of gathering information — which may include testing, observations, records review and parent input — to understand a student's needs and determine eligibility.

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Eligibility

The team's determination, based on evaluation information and applicable criteria, about whether a student qualifies for special education or a 504 plan.

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Prior Written NoticePWN

A written explanation schools provide when they propose or refuse to change a student's identification, evaluation, placement or services.

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Independent Educational EvaluationIEE

An evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the school district. Rules about when and how these are requested vary.

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Response to Intervention / Multi-Tiered System of SupportsRTI / MTSS

General education frameworks in which schools provide increasing levels of support and monitor how a student responds.

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Behavior Intervention PlanBIP

A written plan describing strategies to support a student's behavior, often developed after a functional behavior assessment.

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Functional Behavior AssessmentFBA

A process for gathering information about when and why a behavior happens, used to design supports.

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Extended School YearESY

Special education services provided beyond the normal school year when the team determines they are needed for the student.

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Progress Report

A periodic report from the school describing how a student is progressing toward IEP goals, usually issued alongside report cards.

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