Intro to Terminology

Education, especially special education can be full of jargon. This page breaks down a few of those terms.

IDEA

Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act

IDEA is a law to protect the rights of students with disabilities.

"Disability is a natural part of the human experience"

Disability

In terms of special education, the term "child with a disability" means a child [experiencing impairment in one of 13 federally-identified categories] and who, by reason thereof, needs special education and related services.

“Disability is a natural part of the human experience and in no way diminishes the right of individuals to participate in or contribute to society. Improving educational results for children with disabilities is an essential element of our national policy of ensuring equality of opportunity, full participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities.” IDEA 2004 Part A (c) (1)

Special Education

Definition: Specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parent(s) …to meet the unique needs of a student with a disability….The term includes speech-language pathology services….Special education services are services provided to the student, and do not include consultation between teachers or monitoring a student’s grades or work completion.

Purpose: To ensure that all students with disabilities ages 3 through 21.…have available to them a free appropriate public education (FAPE) that emphasizes special education and related services…to meet their unique needs and prepare them for further education, employment, [and/or] independent living. USBE Special Education Rules, 1A.1 and 1.E.42; IDEA 2004 Sec. 300.1 (a)

504 Plan

Customized educational plans to ensure fair treatment of students in the context of physical/mental impairments, such as walking, breathing, eating, sleeping, communicating, seeing, hearing, speaking, reading, concentrating, thinking, learning, standing, bending, lifting, or working.

  • Regular Education with accommodations, regulated by Section 504 of the U.S. Rehabilitation Act.

  • Designed by parents and educators and managed by regular education teachers

  • Examples of accommodations: preferential seating, extended time, reduced homework, verbal/ visual/ technology aids, behavior management support, adjusted class schedules/grading, verbal testing, pre-approved nurse’s office visits, occupational therapy, physical therapy.

IEP

"Individualized Education Program"

Written plans for students with disabilities. The IEP includes goals that the student needs that require specialized instruction through special education or related services and how the effectiveness of each of these services will be evaluated.

  • Special Education, regulated by the Individuals with Disabilities Act.

  • Designed by a team including a special education teacher, a general education teacher, an LEA representative, a legal guardian, and the student.

  • IEPs are reviewed at least annually (to review progress and set new goals).

LRE

"Least Restrictive Environment"

LRE means, to the maximum extent appropriate, students with disabilities are educated with students who are not disabled. Special classes, separate schooling, or other removal of students with disabilities from the regular educational environment occurs only if the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily.
USBE Special Education Rules. Section III.P