Special Education vocabulary can sound very foreign to many parents and teachers. Some terms and acronyms used frequently in ARDs are listed below.
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FIE: Full and Individual Evaluation – gathering and compiling data on the child to determine current functioning levels and the strengths and areas of weakness. This is the basis to determine goals and objectives for the child’s instruction.
ARD: Admission, Review, and Dismissal meeting – This is a scheduled meeting with parents and staff to review current evaluation information, determine eligibility and educational need for special services, finalize the IEP (Individual Education Program), and determine the most appropriate placement for the services necessary. This meeting must be held at least annually and your input is extremely valuable. An ARD/IEP meeting may also be called to discuss discipline, review/add goals and objectives or change special education placement.
IEP: Individual Education Program – development of measurable goals and objectives which will be taught to the child during the school year. The IEP is the blueprint for the child’s year and you play a vital role its development.
TRANSITION SERVICES: Before the student’s 16th birthday, students and parents will discuss information in the ARD about transition services. This transition planning should become more focused as the child approaches graduation. The district's Transition Specialist is Mike Luckock. His email address is luckocm@hpisd.org.
LRE: students are offered instruction in the Least Restrictive Environment in which the IEP can be implemented. In many cases, the ARD committee will determine the student will remain in the general education classroom and will receive special education services after direct instruction is provided by the classroom teacher.
INCLUSION: this term has different meanings to different people. Within Highland Park ISD, all students belong! Inclusion of students is not based on a certain amount of time in mainstream regular classes. Many times teachers will use the term to mean the student will receive special education support while in the mainstream regular classes.
IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Act is the federal law that mandates special education services.
ADA: American with Disabilities Act is a federal law that guarantees access to opportunities.
BIP: Behavior Intervention Plans will be developed when the student’s behavior is interfering with his/her ability to learn. You and the parent will be asked for input for the Functional Behavioral Analysis (FBA). The BIP will be discussed in the ARD/IEP meeting.
ACCOMMODATIONS CHECKLIST: This is the one of the pages which you receive at the ARD/IEP meeting. The page was formally called a Modification page. The purpose remains for the ARD/IEP committee to note the supports needed for the student’s materials, pacing, and methods.
EDUCATIONAL DIAGNOSTICIANS: The person who conducts evaluations and writes the report for the ARD. She/He assists classroom teachers with academic/behavioral strategies.
OT/PT: Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy is a specialized related service for students who have significant motor difficulties. This related service, based on evaluation, is determined necessary by the ARD/IEP committee in order for the student to benefit from instruction. There are licensed Occupational & Physical Therapists.
LSSP: A Licensed Specialist in School Psychology conducts evaluations and assists classroom teachers with classroom management. She/He also facilitate the writing of Behavior Intervention Plans for students when appropriate.
SPEECH THERAPIST: Provides speech therapy that includes language development and articulation. They also evaluate for eligibility.
APE: An Adapted Physical Education Teacher provides direct and consultative services for students who require a change of TEKS in P.E.
DRDSPD: Dallas Regional Day School Program for the Deaf. Highland Park ISD contracts for center-based services and itinerant teachers.
REGION X: Education Service Center provides support in all areas. Highland Park ISD contracts services for teachers of the visually impaired from Region X.