In education, we use a lot of acronyms and confusing terminology. I've listed a few acronyms and terms along with a brief explanation of each to help you navigate the field of both Early Childhood and Special Education.
1.) Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) - a plan based on the results of a functional behavior assessment
2.) Council For Exceptional Children (CEC) - an international community of professional advocates for children with disabilities
3.) Child Find - ensure that all children with disabilities are identified, located, and evaluated.
4.) Consent - written permission for your child to be evaluated by the appropriate agencies
5.) Due Process - is intended to see that children with learning disabilities receive a free appropriate public education
6.) Education Records - records that are directly related to the student and maintained by an educational agency or institution.
7.) Early Intervention Plan (EIP) - a plan that is implemented by school personnel designed to help children who are at risk of not maintaining their grade appropriate academic potential. The EIP is not to be confused with the IEP.
8.) Evaluation - a method of gathering information and statistics to determine whether or not a child can be considered for special education services
9.) Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) - All children between the ages of 3 and 21 have the right to a free appropriate public education.
10.) Georgia Department of Education (GA DOE) - The Georgia Department of Education provides information, rules, and procedures to educators and parents in Georgia.
11.) Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) - students with disabilities are entitled to a nondiscriminatory evaluation, a FAPE, due process, parent participation, and should learn in their least restrictive environment.
12.) Individualized Education Plan (IEP) - the IEP plan is a plan that outlines a child's provided special education services, monitors their progress, and is reviewed annually by the IEP team and the child's parent. The IEP is not to be confused with the EIP.
13.) Individualized Education Plan (IEP) Team - consists of the parents of the child in question, at least one regular education teacher of the child, at least one special education teacher of the child, a representative of the Local Education Agency (LEA) who is qualified to provide or supervise instruction for the child, an individual who can interpret the child's results from prior evaluations, and sometimes, the child with the disability.
14.) Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP) - applies to children form birth to age three; is what comes before the IEP
15.) Inclusion - the right for a child with disabilities to be taught in what is referred to as a 'typical classroom'
16.) Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) - a child has a right to learn in their least restrictive environment as much as possible. Unless there is proof that the child cannot learn in what is referred to as a 'typical classroom,' they should be kept in their LRE as much as possible.
17.) Notice - advance notice or warning of a future action
18.) Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) - teaching strategies and methods used by teachers to instruct children with learning disabilities
19.) School Support Team (SST) - includes the principals, administrators, and other school personnel who work with classroom teachers to provide education to students
20.) United States Department of Education (US DOE) - the national education department