Note: This post will be updated periodically.
Education is full of shortened words and acronyms for long-winded titles. I am sure you will recognize most of them; however, some may be new. I have listed them in alphabetical order. If you find others that should be added to the list, please forward them to me.
504 - This is the standard abbreviation for a 504 Plan. The full title of the government act is Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. A 504 Plan is developed for a student who has a disability identified under the law, so the student receives accommodations that will ensure academic success and access to the learning environment. The plan is not an IEP and does not require curriculum modification. Some examples of accommodations may be having a set of textbooks at home, allowing a student to leave class early, or providing extra time due to excessive absences. There are numerous other accommodations that may be part of a student's 504 Plan.
ACHIEVE -
BASD/SAP - This is a Bethlehem Area School District Student Assistance Program form that incorporates the whole child. The form includes PA SAP as well as other information required to meet the needs of all students. This form can be utilized for all students, not just students with IEPs.
BILI - This acronym stands for ____. This document is completed prior to moving into an FBA. It does not require parental permission and may not even lead to an FBA.
BOSS - A Behavior Observation of School Students is
CHAMPS -
DBR - This is a Direct Rating Scale. It is a brief rating of target behavior for a specific observation period.
GIEP - This relates to a Gifted Individualized Education Plan. This is a special education program that is designed for gifted students.
IEP - This stands for Individualized Education Plan. This is a program that is developed for students with disabilities to receive specialized instruction and related services. Students who have IEPs have modifications and accommodations. This is different from a 504 Plan because an IEP deals with providing modified and adapted instruction as per the plan while the 504 Plan focuses on accommodations.
FBA - A Functional Behavioral Assessment is completed by the entire team relative to a particular student. This includes the general education classroom teachers as well as special education teachers, administrators, school psychologists, counselors, etc. It is a team effort that requires parental permission to complete. In addition, a BASD/SAP must be fully completed as well.
HAC - This refers to the Home Access Center that schools, students, and parents use to house information for each student. The software includes demographics, grades, attendance, discipline, etc.
MTSS -
PLC - A Professional Learning Community (or Circle) is a small group of people who gather to discuss areas of their field. The professionals help support each other at work.
SDI - This acronym is found in IEPs. It is the Specially Designed Instruction that teachers must follow for the student who has an IEP. This instruction is there to assist students to meet their IEP goals and objectives. Most SDIs are applied across all classes. This is a list of some possible accommodations and modifications. Teachers should always ask for clarification if an SDI is unclear. For example, if extra time is required, it may be necessary to discuss how much extended time is needed. Does the child need 1.5 times the amount of time a student receives who does not have an IEP? It is important for students to have deadlines and due dates because most curricula build from lesson to lesson.
SEL - This acronym has been around, but it is being used a lot more since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. The letters stand for Social and Emotional Learning. SEL is the process by which children and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions, and achieve personal and collective goals. It also encompasses the capacity to be empathetic, the establishment and maintenance of relationships, and the ability to be responsible and to make decisions.
