AAC - Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) describes multiple ways to communicate that can supplement or compensate (either temporarily or permanently) for the impairment and disability patterns of individuals with severe expressive communication disorders.
AAD - Adaptive/Assistive Devices
Adaptive/Assistive devices refer to devices used by individuals with disabilities in order to perform functions that might otherwise be difficult or impossible.
ABA - Applied Behavior Analysis
An intervention technique that may be used to teach children with autism. It breaks down skills into very small components which are then taught systematically. Each skill builds the foundation for the next one.
Accommodations
Changes in how learning occurs or how a test is administered that does not substantially alter what is learned or what the test measures; includes changes in presentation format, response format, test setting or test timing. Appropriate accommodations are made to provide equal opportunity to demonstrate knowledge.
Achievement Test
Test that measures competency in a particular area of knowledge or skill; measures mastery or acquisition of skills.
Achievement/Ability Discrepancy
A criterion often used to determine whether a child has a learning disability and if the child is working up to expectations.
ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act
Enacted in 1990, the ADA gives civil rights protections to individuals with disabilities similar to those provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. It guarantees equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities with regard to public accommodations, employment, transportation, state and local government services, and telecommunications.
Adaptive Behavior
Refers to one’s ability to be socially appropriate and personally responsible. It is usually measured by scales that identify how well a person manages within his or her own environment. This includes, for example, communication, self-care, home living, social skills, community use, self-direction, health and safety, functional academics, leisure, and work.
Adaptive Physical Education
Alternative physical education for students who cannot participate in the general education program. Involves modifications and/or accommodations to the regular physical education class. Supplemental instruction may take place in a separate class based on a student’s individual needs. The goal is to allow students with special needs to remain in the regular physical education class.
ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADL - Activities of Daily Living
Personal care activities necessary for everyday living, including eating, dressing, bathing, grooming, and toileting.
AEP - Alternative Education Placement
An alternative classroom setting used to improve classroom behavior and address needs that cannot be met in a general classroom setting.
Affective
A term that refers to emotions and attitudes.
Alternative Dispute Resolution
See Mediation.
Annual Goal
A required component of an Individualized Education Program (IEP). It is a goal that a student will strive to achieve in a twelve-month period. An example would be, “David will read at a second grade level by the end of the next school year.”
Annual Review
Students with disabilities are required by law to have an educational program that is reviewed each year. A review involves updating the student’s progress, planning his or her educational program, and developing a new IEP for the upcoming year.
Appeal
A written request for a court to review or change the decision of a hearing officer
Appendix A
Appendix to the federal special education regulations that answers questions about IEPs, IEP teams, parental roles, and transition.
APRN - Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Develops practice guidelines for nursing department through evidence-based practice and research; and Collaborates with a physician partner and has prescriptive authority.
ASD - Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism Spectrum Disorder means a developmental disability significantly affecting verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction, generally evident before age three that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. Other characteristics often associated with autism are engagement in repetitive activities and stereotyped movements, resistance to environmental change or change in daily routines, and unusual responses to sensory experiences. Autism does not apply if a child’s educational performance is adversely affected primarily because the child has an emotional disability. A diagnosis of ASD now includes several conditions that used to be diagnosed separately: autistic disorder, pervasive developmental disorder not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS), and Asperger syndrome. These conditions are now all called autism spectrum disorder.
ASL - American Sign Language
A form of communication used among deaf persons. The system uses signs to communicate based on specific movements and shapes of the hand and arms, eyes, face, head, and body posture.
Assessment
A way of collecting information about a student’s special learning needs, strengths, and interests to help make educational decisions. An assessment may include giving individual tests, observing the student, looking at records, and talking with the student and his or her parents.
Assistive Technology Device
Any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of a child with a disability.
AT - Assistive Technology
ATRC - Assistive Technology Resource Center
The Assistive Technology Resource Center (ATRC) is a valuable resource center which provides CPS with the ability to provide eligible students with disabilities access to a variety of assistive technology devices and services that may not be available at the school level.
Audiologist
Specialist who is concerned with studying the nature of hearing, administering hearing tests to detect possible hearing loss, and giving information about hearing aids, training programs, and medical treatment. Related service includes identification, determination of hearing loss, and referral for habilitation of hearing.
AUT - Autism
AYP - Adequate Yearly Progress
AYP was a requirement of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). Each public school campus, school district, and state were evaluated for AYPin reading/ language arts, mathematics, and high school graduation rates and elementary school attendance rate. The NCLB was replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Behavioral Intervention
A method or technique used to influence a student’s actions.
Benchmark
Refers to a major milestone that will enable parents, students, and educators to monitor progress toward a goal during the year.
BIL - Bilingual
The ability to use two languages with equal or nearly equal fluency.
BIP - BehaviorIntervention Plan
A written plan developed as part of the IEP to address a serious behavioral problem. It is based on a functional behavioral assessment of the student’s behavior and describes the interventions to be used, methods of evaluation, and provisions for coordinating with the home. The BIP outlines what the school personnel will do differently to support the needs of the student.
BLST - Building Level Support Team
A team that analyzes needs and clarifies school support systems for teachers, students, and parents.
Brief
Written argument that supports a case that usually contains a statement of facts and a discussion of law.
Burden of Proof
Duty of a party to substantiate its claim against the other party. In civil actions, the weight of this proof is usually described as a preponderance of the evidence.
Business Day
Monday through Friday except for federal and state holidays
Calendar Day
Any consecutive, non-specific day on a calendar that is not otherwise indicated as a business day, school day, weekday, or holiday.
CAPD - Central Auditory Processing Disorder
Case Law
Decisions issued by a court.
Case Study Evaluation
A set of procedures specified within IDEA and expanded greatly in Illinois under 23 IAC 226.110 to determine possible special education eligibility.
CAT - Citywide Assessment Team
The Citywide Assessment Team (CATS) conducts high-quality assessments for any child living within the boundaries of the city of Chicago. To ensure success in an academic setting, CATS use formal and informal assessments to ensure a thorough and holistic look at each student's strengths and needs. Evaluators may include a school psychologist, speech-language pathologists, occupational therapist, physical therapist, school social worker, nurse, teacher, and case manager.
CBI - Community Based Instruction
Community-Based Instruction is an instructional method that helps special education students learn and practice functional and daily living skills in real-world settings. CBI often includes classroom training followed by practice in community settings, such as grocery stores, restaurants, or other community events.
CBO - Community Based Organization
A community-based organization (CBO) is a non-profit or government-funded organization that works to improve the well-being of a community by addressing local needs. CBOs can be formal or informal, and may be made up of volunteers or professionals.
CFC - Child and Family Connections
Child and Family Connections (CFC) are the regional intake agencies for children and families to enter the Illinois Early Intervention System.
Cluster Programs
Cluster programs are designed for students who need a significantly modified curriculum and moderate to intensive support in a separate classroom from their general education peers for more than 61% of the day. Students may also need help with adaptive skills.
CPS - Chicago Public Schools (also referred to as “the district”)
CSN - Certified School Nurse
Certified School Nurses in CPS are Registered Nurses who hold at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from an accredited college, a Professional Educator License through ISBE (endorsed as a School Nurse) and a Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate.
DAP - Developmentally Appropriate Practices
Practices that are age-appropriate and individually appropriate for each student.
Date of Referral
The date on which written parental consent to complete an evaluation is obtained or provided.
Day
A calendar day, unless otherwise indicated as a business day, school day, or holiday.
DCA - Delegated Care Aide
Delegated care aide means a school employee or paraprofessional who voluntarily received the requisite training in epilepsy under 105 ILCS 150/25 or the requisite training in diabetes care under 105 ILCS 145/25, who is authorized by a student’s seizure action plan or diabetic health plan to assist the student in implementing that plan, and who has entered into an agreement with a parent or guardian of that student.
DCFS - Department of Child & Family Services
The mission of Illinois DCFS is to protect children who are reported to be abused or neglected and to increase their families' capacity to safely care for them; provide for the well-being of children in our care; provide appropriate, permanent families as quickly as possible for those children who cannot safely return home; support early intervention and child abuse prevention activities and work in partnerships with communities to fulfill this mission.
DCP - Diabetes Care Plan
Students with diabetes must be offered a 504 Plan. Plans must be updated each year and reviewed by school staff who work with your child.
All students with documented diabetes must be assigned a Diabetes Delegated Care Aide (DCA) upon parent/guardian approval. DCAs must be full-time staff members who volunteer to assist students with diabetes when the school nurse is not available or not in the building.
DD - Developmental Delay
DD - Developmental Disabilities
A diverse group of severe, lifelong, chronic conditions due to mental and/or physical impairments manifested prior to age 22.
Deaf-Blindness
Deaf-Blindness means simultaneous hearing and visual impairments, the combination of which causes such severe communication and other developmental and educational needs that students with these combined impairments cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for children with deafness or children with blindness.
Deafness
Deafness means a hearing impairment that is so severe that the child is impaired in processing linguistic information through hearing, with or without amplification, which adversely affects the child’s educational performance.
De-Escalation
De-escalation is the application of techniques and strategies to reduce aggression and agitation in order to support an individual in exhibiting calmer and safer behaviors. De-escalation helps an individual decrease the intensity of crisis behaviors and maintain the safety of the agitated person and everyone else.
Delay
Development which does not occur within expected time ranges.
DHS - Department of Human Services
The Illinois Department of Human Services was created in 1997 to provide our state's residents with streamlined access to integrated services, especially those who are striving for economic independence, and others who face multiple challenges to self-sufficiency.
Discovery
Term for methods of obtaining evidence in advance of trial; includes interrogatories, depositions, and inspection of documents.
DLM-AA - Dynamic Learning Maps Alternate Assessment
Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) assessments are for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities for whom general state assessments are not appropriate, even with accommodations. DLM assessments offer these students a way to show what they know and can do in English language arts, mathematics, and science.
DLM assessments also help parents and educators set high academic expectations for their students. Results from DLM assessments are used to inform instruction and meet accountability requirements for reporting student achievement.
Domain
An aspect of a child’s functioning or performance that must be considered in the course of designing an evaluation. The domains are health, vision, hearing, social and emotional status, general intelligence, academic performance, communication status, and motor abilities.
DRS - Department of Rehabilitative Services
DHS's Division of Rehabilitation Services is the state's lead agency serving individuals with disabilities. DRS works in partnership with people with disabilities and their families to assist them in making informed choices to achieve full community participation through employment, education, and independent living opportunities.
Due Process
A legal term that assures that persons with disabilities have the right to challenge any decision made on their behalf.
Due Process Hearing
A formal meeting held to settle disagreements between parents and schools in a way that is fair to the student, the parents, and the school. The meeting is run by an impartial hearing officer.
Duration
The length of time a student will need a special program or service during the school year or extended school year, as documented on the IEP.
EC - Early Childhood
Programs and services provided to children with disabilities from ages 3 through 5.
ECE - Early Childhood Education
The education of a child in grades pre-kindergarten through third grade (age range of birth through 8 years of age).
ECI - Early Childhood Intervention
Programs designed to provide assistance to preschool- aged children with physical or developmental problems.
ECSE - Early Childhood Special Education
CPS provides early childhood specialized services to students three to five years of age based on the needs identified in their Individualized Education Program (IEP). The Office for Students with Disabilities works closely with the Office of Early Childhood Education to provide all students with access to high quality, individualized instruction.
ED - Emotional Disability
Disability category under IDEA. A condition exhibiting one or more of the following characteristics over a long period of time and to a marked degree that adversely affects a child’s educational performance:
- An inability to learn that cannot be explained by intellectual, sensory, or health factors
- An inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships with peers and teachers
- Inappropriate types of behavior or feelings under normal circumstances
- A general pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression
- A tendency to develop physical symptoms or fears associated with personal or school problems Emotional disability also includes schizophrenia.
Education Records
All records about the student that are maintained by an educational agency or institution; includes instructional materials, teacher’s manuals, films, tapes, test materials and protocols.
EI - Early Intervention
Programs and services provided to infants and toddlers ages 0 to three with developmental delays or disabilities and their families.
EIS - Early Intervening Services
Assistance given to children who have not yet been identified as eligible for special education and related services under IDEA but who need extra help and support to progress in the general education environment. District can use no more than 15% of IDEA Part B funds to develop and implement early intervening services. EIS emphasizes assistance to children in grades kindergarten through third grade (K-3). EIS may also be used with children in fourth through twelfth grades (4-12) . EIS funds may be used for professional development of teachers and other school staff.
Eligibility Conference
A conference held to determine, review, terminate, or consider changes in a student’s eligibility for special education.
Eligibility Conference Summary Report
A written report containing a summary of the results of the evaluation and the determination of eligibility for special education.
Eligible
A decision that determines a student meets the requirements for and is in need of special education and related services. The decision is based on the results of the evaluation and the conclusions reached at the eligibility conference.
ELL - English Language Learner
Someone who speaks a language other than English and is learning to speak and understand the English language.
ESL - English as a Second Language
English learned in an environment where it is the predominant language of communication
ESOL - English for Speakers of Other Languages
English instruction for persons who speak a language other than English
ESSA - Every Student Succeeds Act
ESSA is the reauthorization of the 50-year-old Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the country’s national education law which embodies a commitment to equal opportunity for all students. ESSA incorporates ambitious long-term goals, supports for low-performing schools, challenging academic standards and assessments, and universal indicators of school quality and student progress.
ESY - Extended School Year Services
A provision for a special education student to receive instruction during ordinary school “vacation” periods. Purpose is to prevent serious regression of previously learned skills that cannot be regained in a reasonable length of time with the intent being to maintain IEP goals and objectives, not to introduce new skills. The IEP team determines eligibility for ESY services.
Evaluation
Collecting information about a student and any problems that may affect his or her educational development for the purpose of determining eligibility for special education and related services. The evaluation may include giving individualized tests, observing the student, looking at records, and talking with the student and his or her parents (see also assessment).
Exhibit
Anything tangible that is produced and admitted in evidence during a trial.
Extended School Day
A provision for a student who receives special education services to have instruction for a period longer than the standard school day. This sometimes includes “double” kindergarten, later afternoons, or earlier starting times.
FAPE - Free Appropriate Public Education
The words used in the federal law (IDEA) to describe the right of students with disabilities to receive special education and related services that meet his or her individual learning needs, at no cost to the parents
FBA - Functional Behavioral Assessment
A process to improve understanding of problem behavior in order to identify what skills need to be taught. The process includes observation, interviews, and data collection to identify when, where, and why the behavior is occurring.
FERPA - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
A federal law that regulates the management of student records and disclosure of information from those records. The Act has its own administrative enforcement mechanism.
FIE - Full and Individual Evaluation
An FIE is the process used to determine a student’s needs and eligibility for special education and related services under IDEA. In conducting the evaluation, a variety of assessment tools and strategies must be used to determine whether the student meets eligibility criteria. The IEP team must design the FIE to include assessments in all areas related to the suspected disability in one or more of the following eight (8) domains, if appropriate: health, vision, hearing, social/emotional status, general intelligence (cognitive functioning), academic performance, communication status, and motor abilities.
FY - Fiscal Year
A twelve-month period used for calculating yearly financial reports. Most schools use the state fiscal year which runs from July 1 to June 30.
General Curriculum
Curriculum adopted by the LEA or SEA for all children from preschool through high school
Guardian
Person who has qualified as a guardian of a minor or incapacitated person pursuant to testamentary or court appointment but excludes one who is merely a guardian ad litem
Guardian ad litem
Person appointed by the court to represent the rights of minors
Head Start
Head Start and Early Head Start programs are federally funded programs that are run by community-based organizations, such as local nonprofit organizations, school districts, and community action agencies. These programs are designed to help children and families become ready for school and to succeed in life.
HHIP - Home and Hospital Instruction Program
HI - Hearing Impairment
A hearing impairment is one that is either permanent or fluctuating and adversely affects a child’s educational performance, but that is not included under the definition of deafness
HO - Hearing Officer
An impartial person in charge of a due process hearing who issues a written decision based upon the evidence and witnesses presented at the hearing
HS - Head Start
A child development program for children ages 3 to 5 and their families that focuses on increasing the school readiness of young children from low-income families by increasing opportunities for learning
HSN - Health Service Nurse
Health Service Nurses in CPS are Registered Nurses who hold a degree in Nursing from an accredited college, along with a Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate.
IAC - Illinois Administrative Code
The regulations relevant to the provision of special education are located in Title 23 at Part 226.
IAES - Interim Alternative Education Setting
ID - Intellectual Disability - Mild, Moderate, or Severe/Profound
Intellectual disability means significantly below average general intellectual functioning, existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period that adversely affects a child’s educational performance.
IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The federal law mandating that all children with disabilities have available to them a free, appropriate public education that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for employment and independent living.
IDELR - Individuals with Disabilities Education Law Reporter
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Law Reporter is a specialized full text reporting service that publishes policy letters and administrative level actions as well as case law.
IDHS - Illinois Department of Human Services
The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) provides our Illinois's residents with streamlined access to integrated services, especially those who are striving for economic independence, and others who face multiple challenges to self-sufficiency, including disabilities.
IEE - Independent Educational Evaluation
An assessment conducted by someone who is not employed by the school district. Anyone completing the assessment must be fully trained and qualified.
IEP - Individualized Education Program
The written educational program for a student receiving special education and related services with goals and objectives to be attained during a calendar year. The IEP is developed and implemented to meet a student unique educational needs.
IFA - Individualized Functional Assessment IFA
An assessment that examines whether a child can engage in age-appropriate activities effectively.
IFOIA - Illinois Freedom of Information Act
This Act (5 ILCS 140/) regulates access to public records. It is useful for accessing the policies and minutes of public bodies but does not provide for access to individual student records.
IFSP - Individual Family Service Plan
The document that outlines the services to be delivered to families of infants and toddlers receiving special services.
ILCS - Illinois Revised Statutes or Illinois School Code
Chapter 105. Commonly called the “Illinois School Code.” It includes state law regulating the operation of public schools. Article 14 is specific to special education matters.
Individualized Education Program (IEP) Conference
A meeting held annually to develop, review, and consider changes in a student’s special education and related services and educational placement.
Individualized Education Program (IEP) Team
The group of individuals, including the parents, teachers, and school or district officials, who determines the special education and related services to be provided to an eligible student. The IEP team and other qualified professionals are required to participate in meetings when identifying specific assessments, determining eligibility, and conducting manifestation determination reviews.
Initiation Date
The date, month, and year in which a program or service will begin as documented on the IEP
Interrogatories
Written questions served on a party that must be answered under oath before trial; method of discovery
ISBE - Illinois State Board of Education
The state agency responsible for educational services.
ISS - In-school Suspension
An alternative placement program that allows students to come to school, but they are not allowed to attend regular class. They are placed in a supervised setting, typically separated from other classmates, where they can complete their schoolwork.
ISSRA - Illinois Student Records Act
A portion of the Illinois School Code regulating the management of all student records whether or not those students have disabilities.
ITP - Individualized Transition Plan
Transition services begin when a student is ready to transition from high school to postsecondary education, vocational training, independent employment, continuing and adult education, adult services, or independent living. When transition services begin for students with an IEP, a transition planning interview will be completed to identify the students’ needs. The IEP team will use this information to develop an ITP, which is designed to accomplish the student’s goals.
LD - Learning Disability
See Specific Learning Disability (SLD).
LEA - Local Educational Agency
Local education agency or school district.
LEI - Learning Environment Interventions
LEP - Limited English Proficient
Term used to describe a student who is not proficient in English, speaks a language other than English at home, and does not demonstrate English language skills of comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing at a level that would allow him or her to be placed in a mainstream class setting where only English is spoken.
LES - Learning Environment Screening
LPN - Licensed Practical Nurse
Licensed Practical Nurses in CPS are graduates from an accredited school of practical nursing who possess a current State of Illinois Licensed Practical Nurse License, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate and a pharmacology certificate.
LRE - Least Restrictive Environment
A requirement of IDEA that describes procedures that ensure, to the maximum extent appropriate, students with disabilities are educated with students who are not disabled. The IEP team must determine the LRE for each student based on his or her individual needs.
MD - Multiple Disabilities
Multiple disabilities means a combination of various impairments that cause such severe educational needs that they cannot be accommodated in special education programs solely for one of the impairments. Multiple disabilities does not include deaf-blindness.
MDR - Manifestation Determination Review
A meeting of the IEP team convened by the school to determine whether the behavior of a student who receives special education services was caused by the student’s disability.
Mediation
A process in which parents and school personnel try to settle disagreements with the help of a trained mediator provided by ISBE.
Medicaid
A federal-state public medical assistance program administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services that enables eligible recipients to obtain medical benefits outlined within the state Medicaid guidelines.
Medical Services
Related service which includes services provided by a licensed physician to determine a child’s medically related disability that results in the child’s need for special education and related services.
Modifications
Substantial changes in what the student is expected to demonstrate. Includes changes in instructional level, content, and performance criteria. May include changes in test form or format. Includes alternate assessments.
MTSS - Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
The Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) is the overarching framework that encompasses both the academic and social/emotional dimensions of learning. The MTSS framework is a key part of the broader CPS strategy to support ALL learners and ensure equitable access to a robust, high-quality education. MTSS implementation is the shared responsibility of all CPS educators, staff, families, and communities. It is designed so that educators can make data-based decisions to meet the needs of students from different backgrounds, levels of language prociency, learning styles, and levels of achievement.
Native Language
Language normally used by the child’s parents.
NOC - Notice of Conference
NONI - Notice of Non-Implementation
The Procedural Safeguards and Illinois law 99 requires every CPS school, including charter schools, to notify parents/guardians if IEP services are not administered within 10 school days after a date or frequency set forth within the IEP. If any part of a student’s IEP has not been implemented within 10 school days of the IEP services’ expected implementation period (typically 10 school days following the development of the IEP, unless the frequency of the services is not set as a daily or weekly service), the school must send the Notice of Non-Implementation form. This form must be sent within three school days of the non-compliance. On the form, the school must specically identify each service not being implemented, what actions the school is taking to ensure the student is receiving FAPE, and inform the parent/guardian of the ability to request compensatory services.
Notice
Mandatory written notice provided to parents before the school’s proposal or refusal to initiate or change the student’s identification, evaluation, or educational placement. Notice in the parent’s native language must also be provided in advance of any scheduled IEP meetings.
OCR - Office of Civil Rights OCR
This federal agency serves student populations who face discrimination based on race, color, national origin, gender, age, disability, religion, and political beliefs. OCR advocates on behalf of students to resolve complaints of discrimination, as well as develop creative approaches to preventing and addressing discrimination.
OHI - Other Health Impaired
Other health impairment means having limited strength, vitality, or alertness, including a heightened alertness to environmental stimuli, that results in limited alertness with respect to the educational environment, that -
- Is due to chronic or acute health problems such as asthma, attention deficit disorder or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, diabetes, epilepsy, a heart condition, hemophilia, lead poisoning, leukemia, nephritis, rheumatic fever, sickle cell anemia, and Tourette syndrome; and
- Adversely affects a child’s educational performance.
OI - Orthopedic Impairment
An orthopedic impairment means a severe orthopedic impairment that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. The term includes impairments caused by a congenital anomaly, impairments caused by disease (e.g., poliomyelitis, bone tuberculosis), and impairments from other causes (e.g., cerebral palsy, amputations, and fractures or burns that cause contractures).
OMME - Office of Multicultural-Multilingual Education
The Office of Multilingual - Multicultural Education (OMME) exists to guide CPS in providing a high-quality education for all language learners that is attentive to a culturally and linguistically diverse community of students, families, and educators.
Opinion
Formal written decision by judge or court; contains the legal principles and reasons upon which the decision was based.
OSD - Office for Students with Disabilities
The Office for Students with Disabilities works to support networks, schools, and families with all issues related to special education including instruction, interventions, and legal and compliance support.
OSEL - Office of Social Emotional Learning
The Office for Social and Emotional Learning works with schools and networks to establish multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) for students’ social, emotional, and behavioral development.
OSEP - Office of Special Education Programs
Part of the U.S. Department of Education, its goal is to improve results for infants, toddlers, children and adolescents with disabilities ages birth through 21 by providing leadership and financial support to assist states and local districts.
OSERS - Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
An agency of the federal government’s executive branch within the Department of Education
OSP - Office of Student Protections (Title IX)
The Office of Student Protections and Title IX (OSP) and the Equal Opportunity Compliance Office (EOCO) promotes a District that is free from abuse, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. We engage collaboratively with our stakeholders to remove barriers to academic programs and activities to provide an equitable, inclusive, and safe learning and work environment. By working together to safeguard civil rights, we positively impact school communities affected by harm.
OT - Occupational Therapy and/or Therapist
A specialist which is usually focused upon the development of a student’s fine motor skills and/or the identification of adapted ways of accomplishing activities of daily living when a student’s disabilities prevent him or her from doing those tasks in typical ways (e.g., modifying clothing so a person without arms can dress independently).
Parent
Natural or adoptive parent; a guardian, but not the State if the child is a ward of the State; a person acting in the place of a parent (e.g., a grandparent or stepparent with whom the child lives, or a person legally responsible for the child’s welfare); or an educational surrogate parent.
PBIS - Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based, multi-tiered, problem-solving, and team-based framework educators use to build a continuum of supports to promote all students’ social-emotional-behavioral and mental health, including those with disabilities and who display high rates of unwanted or unexpected behavior.
PEL - Professional Educator License
Permanent Record
A file that includes the following information: parent name(s) and address(es), student name, address, birth date, birth place, gender, transcripts, grades, class rank, graduation date, grade level achieved, scores on college entrance exams, attendance reports, accident reports, health records, release of information forms, honors/awards received, and participation in school- sponsored activities and events.
PHY - Physical (Orthopedic) Impairment
PLAAFP - Present Level of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance
A required IEP component; statements in an IEP that specifically describe what a student can or cannot do, includes the effects of the student’s disability on the student’s involvement and progress in the general education curriculum.
Placement
Where the IEP will be carried out. The placement decision is made by the IEP team, including the parents and others who know about the child, what the evaluation results mean, and what types of placements are appropriate. The parents have the right to be members of the group that decides the educational placement of the child. Placement decisions must be made according to IDEA’s least restrictive environment requirements, commonly known as LRE. These requirements state that, to the maximum extent appropriate, children with disabilities must be educated with children who do not have disabilities.
Precedent
A court decision that will influence similar cases in the future.
Pre-K - Pre-Kindergarten
The year of education that occurs before kindergarten. The goal of pre-K is to promote school readiness so that children have a better chance of later success in school.
Prior Written Notice
Required written notice to parents when school proposes to initiate or change, or refuses to initiate or change, the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the student.
Pro Se
Representing oneself without assistance of legal counsel.
Procedural Safeguards
Precautions taken to ensure that an individual’s rights are not denied without due process of law.
Procedural Safeguards Notice
Requirement that schools provide a full and easily understood explanation of procedural safeguards at least once a year to parents. It must include information on independent educational evaluation, prior written notice, parental consent access to records, complaint process, mediation process, due process and the child’s placement during due process, interim alternative educational settings, private school placements by parents at public expense, disclosure of evaluation results and recommendations, state-level appeals, civil action, and attorney’s fees.
PRTO - Physical Restraint and Time Out
In compliance with The Behavioral Interventions Act (105 ILCS 5/14-8.05 and Public Act 102-0339) each school board must develop policies and procedures on the use of behavioral interventions for students who require such interventions. This policy provides requirements, restrictions, and procedures related to the use of physical restraints, isolated time out, time out, and momentary physical intervention for all Chicago Public Schools students in compliance with the Illinois State Board of Education’s (ISBE) administrative rules. In August 2021, Public Act 102-0339 was enacted, which amended Section 10-20.33 of the School Code to align with ISBE rules regarding the use of isolated time out, time out, and physical restraint.
Psychologist
Person with an advanced degree who specializes in administering and evaluating psychological tests including intelligence, aptitude, and interest tests. A psychologist could also provide counseling and apply principles of human behavior.
PT - Physical Therapy
A trained professional provides physical therapy treatment under a doctor’s prescription that helps the student remediate gross motor skills and improve the use of bones, muscles, joints, and nerves.
PT - Physical Therapist
A trained professional who provides physical therapy.
PTA - Physical Therapist Assistant
A professional who works under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist and provides rehabilitative services to students with physical or developmental impairments.
PTA - Parent-Teacher Association
A school district-based group that is part of the National PTA.
PUNS - Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services
PUNS is a statewide database that records information about individuals with developmental disabilities who are planning for or seeking services. The State uses the data to select individuals for services as funding becomes available, to develop proposals and materials for budgeting, and to plan for future needs.
PWN - Prior Written Notice
Reasonable Accommodation
Modifications of a facility or program that can be accomplished without undue administrative or financial burden.
Reevaluation
An assessment that occurs every three years, or more if needed, to determine continued eligibility for special education.
Referral
The process of requesting that a student be evaluated for special education and related services. Any concerned person may refer a student, including teachers, principals, parents, other agency personnel, or the student.
Regression/Recoupment
The amount of loss of skills a child experiences over an instructional break (primarily summer vacation) and the amount of time it takes him or her to recover the lost skills. Standards for when regression and recoupment concerns require ESY are noted in case law and in state and federal policy letters.
Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Civil rights statute designed to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination; purposes are to maximize employment, economic self-sufficiency, independence, inclusion and integration into society.
Rehabilitation Counseling Services
Related service; includes career development, preparation for employment, vocational rehabilitation services funded under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Related Services
IDEA requires that school districts provide whatever related services (other than medical care which is not for diagnostic purposes) a child needs in order to benefit from his or her special education program. Related services are support services that may include, but are not limited to, speech-language pathology and audiology services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation, early identification and assessment, counseling, rehabilitation counseling, orientation and mobility services, school health services, social work services, parent counseling, and training.
RSP - Related Service Provider
CPS offers related services to help children with disabilities benefit from special education by providing extra support in needed areas. Related services refers to developmental, corrective, and other supportive services that increase student access to the curriculum and learning environment. Related service providers include social workers, speech-language pathologists, psychologists, occupational therapists, and physical therapists who provide developmental, corrective, and other supportive services that increase student access to the curriculum and learning environment.
RTI - Response to Intervention
Safety Care
Safety-Care provides the evidence-based behavioral strategies needed for safe crisis prevention and management. Safety-Care will help individuals:
- Understand how and why crisis events happen, and the ways in which we might inadvertently contribute to them.
- Prevent crises using a variety of supportive interaction strategies.
- Apply simple, evidence-based de-escalation strategies that are effective for any population.
- Respond appropriately and safely to dangerous behavior.
- Prevent the need for restraint.
- Intervene after a crisis to reduce the chance that it will happen again.
SAT - Student Assistance Team
See Student Support Team
SCC - Student Code of Conduct
School Day
Any day, including a partial day, during the regular school year that students are at school for instructional purposes
School Health Services
Related service; services provided by a qualified school nurse or other qualified person.
Screening
A review of all children in a given group to identify those students who may need an evaluation to determine the need for special education services.
SEA - State Education Agency
State departments of education such as the Illinois State Board of Education.
SECA - Special Education Classroom Assistant
SECAs assist Special Education teachers in elementary and high schools in reinforcing efforts with children with various disabilities, including physical disabilities, visual and hearing impairments, learning disabilities, behavior disorders, emotional impairments, and mental impairments in accordance with each students’ Individual Education Program (IEP).
Section 504
Provision of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 which prohibits recipients of federal funds from discrimination against persons with disabilities; an evolving area of administrative procedures. School districts may make a Section 504 hearing process available, but that process need not be the same as the IDEA hearing mechanism.
SEL - Social/Emotional Learning
Settlement
Conclusion of a legal matter by agreement of opposing parties in a civil suit before judgment is made.
Significantly Modified Curriculum with Intensive Supports
Also known as the severe/profound program, this Cluster classroom type is designed for students with a range of disabilities who engage in rigorous instruction, transition, functional and life skills via significantly modified curriculum with intensive supports. CPS educators and staff converge to support intensive programs, including teachers, SECAs, Related Service Providers, case managers, instructional coaches, administrators and network and central office staff.
Significantly Modified Curriculum with Moderate Supports
Also known as the mild/moderate program, this Cluster classroom type is designed for students with a range of disabilities who engage in rigorous instruction via significantly modified curriculum with mild to moderate supports. CPS educators and staff converge to support mild/moderate programs, including teachers, SECAs, Related Service Providers, case managers, instructional coaches, administrators and network and central office staff.
SLD - Specific Learning Disability
Specific learning disability means a disorder in one or more of the basic psychological processes involved in understanding or in using language, spoken or written, that may manifest itself in the imperfect ability to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell, or to do mathematical calculations, including conditions such as perceptual disabilities, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia. Disorders that are not included in the specific learning disability category are learning problems that are primarily the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, of intellectual disability, of emotional disability, or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage.
SLI - Specific Language Impairment
Specific language impairment is a developmental disorder that affects a child's ability to develop language skills in the expected way. It's characterized by delayed or disordered language development, such as difficulty putting words together into sentences.
SLP - Speech Language Pathologist
Sometimes referred to as speech therapists or speech teachers. These professionals assess, diagnose, and treat students who need help with speech, language, communication, voice, swallowing, fluency and other related disorders.
Special Education
Special education means specially designed instruction, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.
Speech Therapy
Process for remediation of speech disorders such as stuttering, lisping, and misarticulation conducted by a qualified speech language pathologist on an individualized or small group basis.
SSM - Student Services Management
The application is used by CPS for the special education evaluation process. It includes the IEP, 504 Plan, and Service Capture.
SST - Student Support Team
Student support team, can also be called student assistance team (SAT): a team of school professionals (including classroom teachers, curriculum specialist, school psychologist, speech-language therapist, principal or assistant/vice principal), and parents who meet to discuss problems a child is having in general education classes. The goal of the SST is to discuss ways in which to assist a child so that his or her learning or behavioral problems minimize the effect they have on his or her education.
Standardized Tests
Tests that have norms reflecting a larger population; usually these are age or grade-based norms reflecting the performance of children throughout the country on the same tests.
Statute of Limitations
Time within which a legal action must be commenced
Statutory Law
Written law enacted by legislative bodies
Statutory Rights
Rights protected by statute, as opposed to constitutional rights that are protected by the Constitution.
STO - Short-term Instructional Objectives/Benchmarks
Statements in an IEP that describe the steps that allow the student to reach the annual goals.
Supplementary Aids and Services
Aids, services, and other supports provided in general education classes or other educational settings to enable children with disabilities to be educated with nondisabled children to the maximum extent appropriate (in the least restrictive environment) as required under IDEA.
Surrogate Parent
An individual trained and appointed by ISBE to exercise special education rights on behalf of children with disabilities who are wards of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) or are otherwise without access to parents.
Suspension
Removal from all school programs by administrative action for gross disobedience or misconduct.
SW - Social Worker
Social workers are trained mental health professionals with a degree in social work who provide services related to a person's social, emotional and life adjustment to school and/or society. Social Workers are the link between the home, school and community in providing direct as well as indirect services tostudents, families and school personnel to promote and support students' academic and social success.
TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic brain injury means an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force, resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment, or both, that adversely affects a child’s educational performance. Traumatic brain injury applies to open or closed head injuries resulting in impairments in one or more areas, such as cognition, language, memory, attention, reasoning, abstract thinking, judgment, problem-solving, psychosocial behavior, physical functions, information processing, speech, and sensory, perceptual, and motor abilities. Traumatic brain injury does not apply to brain injuries that are congenital or degenerative or to brain injuries induced by birth trauma.
Temporary Record
A file that includes, but is not limited to, family background information, intelligence test scores, aptitude test scores, special education evaluations, achievement level test results, participation in extracurricular activities, disciplinary information, eligibility conference summary reports, IEPs, reports or information from non-educational persons or agencies, and other information of relevance to the education of the student; access is governed by the Illinois Student Records Act.
Testimony
Evidence given by a person as distinguished from evidence from writings and other sources.
Transcript
Official record taken during a trial or hearing by an authorized stenographer.
Transition Planning
At a minimum, this is planning for adolescents’ postsecondary lives and must begin by age 141⁄2. Helping a student transition from school to adult life requires effective planning, school experiences, services, and supports so that he or she can achieve a desired outcome. See Individualized Transition Plan.
Transition Services
Transition services means a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that -
- is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with a disability to assist in the child’s movement from school to postsecondary activities, and
- is based on the individual child’s needs, taking into ac- count the child’s strengths, preferences, and interests.
VI - Visual Impairment
Visual impairment includes any type of sight problem that even with glasses or contacts adversely affects school performance. Children with visual impairments can be further described as partially sighted or blind based on the degree of visual impairment and their educational needs.
Weapon
Means a “dangerous weapon” as defined in the United States Code (weapon, device, instrument, material, or substance, animate or inanimate that is used for or is readily capable of, causing death or serious bodily injury, except that such term does not include a packet knife with a blade of less than 21⁄2 inches in length), per 18 USC 930(g)(2).