by Dean Traylor

Created on: October 27, 2009   Last Updated: October 29, 2009

Special education has a "special" language all its own. Those outside the field will hear a plethora of acronyms and jargons that are very unique to the profession. Even those within the special education sphere may become confused by the ever-growing list of terms associated with it.

Below is a list of acronyms and terms often associated with special education. Some have been used for decades while others such as RTI have come into use in the last few years. Still, this compiled list is only a fraction of the types of language used among special educators. A full list may fill several volumes of books, and the type of disabilities associated with special education may fill even more volumes (which is why they are not included in this list).

The list has been divided into two parts: the first is for common special education terms (most likely used in an IEP). The second refers to lesson planning terms used for this field. Without further ado, here is the list.

COMMON SPECIAL EDUCATION TERMS

LRE - Least Restrictive environment: The placement of a student in a classroom environment that will not put restrictions on his learning ability or access to the curriculum.

Mainstreaming - The practice of having students with special needs placed in a general education setting instead of a special day classroom in all or in a selected course of study.

Inclusion - refers the degree in which a student with special needs is mainstreamed.

IEP - Individual Education Plan: specialized education plan written for students with learning disabilites. As well as setting a yearly plan for the student, the legal document is designed to (1) identify the student's disability; (2) design goals and objectives in academics, pre-vocational skills and/or behaviors;(3) to establish the appropriate accommodations, related services, and educational designation (SDC or RSP); and (4) to prepare them for transition from one environment to another (whether it's going into pre-school, switching from pre-school to elementary school, or going from high school to post-secondary school or job training). Also, it is known as an Annual since it is done every year.

BSP - Behavioral Support Plan: this is used only when there's a need to address the student's behavior (sometimes, the student will be given cues or choices to correct their behavior or will be required to take counseling from a psychologist of DIS counselor). Students with emotional disorders are often given these.

Accommodation - The act of

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