Public Law
IEP
is an individually tailored statement describing an educational plan for each learner with exceptionalities.
Preferral
intervention Instructional or behavioral strategies introduced by a general educator to assist students experiencing difficulty; designed to minimize inappropriate referrals for special education.
No Child Left Behind
A brief synopsis of this ambitious law reveals that eventually all pupils, including those in special education, are expected to demonstrate proficiency in mathematics, reading, and science.
LRE
Children with disabilities are to be educated, to the maximum extent appropriate, with students without disabilities.
Referral
A formal request by a teacher or parent that a student be evaluated for special education services.
ESSA
The aim of the ESSA was to preserve the spirit and intent of No Child Left Behind while remediating some of the perceived flaws and deficiencies voiced by legislators, educators, policy makers, school administrators, and parents.
FAPE
All children, regardless of the severity of their disability (a “zero reject” philosophy), must be provided with an education appropriate to their unique needs at no cost to the parent(s)/guardian(s).
Child-Find
A function of each state, mandated by federal law, to locate and refer individuals who might require special education.
IDEA
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA) [has] increased the focus of special education from simply ensuring access to education to improving the educational performance of students with disabilities and aligning special education services with the larger national school improvement efforts that include standards, assessments, and accountability
Due Process
Briefly, parent(s)/guardian(s) have the right to confidentiality of records; to examine all records; to obtain an independent evaluation; to receive written notification (in parents’ native language) of proposed changes to their child’s educational classification or placement; and to an impartial hearing whenever disagreements arise regarding educational plans for their son/daughter. Furthermore, the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s) have the right to representation by legal counsel.
Criterion-Reference Assessment
An assessment procedure in which a student’s performance is compared to a particular level of mastery.
Americans with Disabilities Act
forbids discrimination against persons with disabilities in both the public and private sectors. Its purpose, according to Turnbull (1993), is to “provide clear, strong, consistent, and enforceable standards prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities without respect for their age, nature or extent of disability”
**Amended in 2008 and expanded definition of disability
PL 94-142
Sometimes referred to as the “Parents’ Law,” this legislation requires that parents participate fully in the decision-making process that affects their child’s education.
Norm-Referenced Assessment
Refers to standardized tests on which a pupil’s performance is compared to that of his or her peers.
504
specifically aimed at protecting children and adults against discrimination due to a disability.