Special Education:
Assistive Technology Service. Any service that directly helps a student with a disability use equipment to maintain or increase the students capabilities. Includes evaluation services.
Augmentative Communication. Any system that supplements or replaces speech as the primary mode of communication such as sign language, pictures, written language, electronic devices, etc.
Evaluation. An evaluation is the determination of the child's abilities and disabilities. This includes observations of the child, medical information, information provided by the parents, and testing by specialists. Testing may include health, vision, intelligence, hearing, communication and motor assessments.
Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE): Free appropriate public education means:
Individualized Educational Program (IEP): An Individual Educational Program is a plan developed by a team, which includes as its members representatives of the school district, the child's teachers, and the child's parents. All participants have equal status in the decision-making process. Other persons who have a direct interest in the child's educational welfare may participate at the request of school district personnel or parents. The IEP is written by the school district personnel and parents, together. Each child's IEP must be complete before determining placement and must be reviewed annually. IEPs may be reviewed more often if parents or school district personnel request.
Interim Alternative Educational Placement: A temporary setting where your child can be placed for up to 45 days for violations related to drugs and weapons at school, or for students whose behavior poses a serious risk of harm.
Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): The educational placement where the child is with general education students to the maximum extent possible.
Manifestation Determination: The team process used to decide if a student's behavior was related to the student's disability and whether the student understood the consequences of his misbehavior.
Placement: A child's placement is the setting where the child's educational services, contained in the IEP, are provided. Placement is determined annually upon completion of the IEP. Placement is also determined whenever the IEP is revised and whenever parents or school district personnel propose a change in placement.
Related Services: Related Services are special services that are necessary for the child to benefit from the educational program. Related services include, but are not limited to: transportation, speech therapy, audiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, hearing and vision services, psychological services, vocational services, social work services, therapeutic reevaluation, rehabilitation counseling, medical diagnostic and evaluation services.
Special Education: Education designed to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. Special education may include classroom instruction, physical education, vocational education, transition services, and other specially designed instruction the child needs.
Supplementary Aids and Services: Supplementary aids and services are supports that are necessary to carry out the IEP. Supplementary aids and services may include computers, large print books, classroom or individual instructional assistants, assistive technology services, etc.
Transition Services: Coordinated activities designed to help a student move from high school to post-secondary education, vocational training, supported employment, independent living and other adult services. These activities must be based on the student's needs, preferences and interests. Activities include vocational evaluation, community experiences, job development and daily living skills instruction.