Glossary of Services and Terms

Special Education Terms:

APE-Adaptive Physical Education: is the art and science of developing, implementing, and monitoring a carefully designed physical education instructional program for a learner with a disability

ASD-Autism Spectrum Disorder: a disability characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts and exhibits restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities.

IEP-Individualized Education Program(Plan): a plan or program developed to ensure that a child who has a disability identified under the law and is attending an elementary or secondary educational institution receives specialized instruction and related services.

LD-Learning Disability: any of various conditions (as dyslexia) that interfere with an individual's ability to learn and so result in impaired functioning in language, reasoning, or academic skills and that are thought to be caused by difficulties in processing and integrating information

OPT-Office of Pupil Transportation: is the school transportation system in NYC. OPT Customer Service Agents are available Monday-Friday 5:30 A.M. - 7:30 P.M. 

Ph: (718) 392-8855; Website: www.optnyc.org

OT-Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy: a related service for students needing support to fully access and be successful in the learning environment.

This might include working on handwriting or fine motor skills so the child can complete written assignments, helping the child organize himself or herself in the environment, working with the teacher to facilitate successful participation.

PT-Physical Therapist or Physical Therapy: a related service for students needing support to fully access and be successful in the learning environment. Physical therapists use a variety of treatments to help build strength, improve movement, and strengthen skills needed to complete daily activities.

SDI*-Social Development Intervention

SEIT-Special Education Intervention Team

SESIS-Special Education Student Information System: the online system that contains documents related to students with disabilities. This is a private system.

SETSS-Special Education Teacher Support Service: a specially designed and/or supplemental instruction provided by a Special Education teacher.  

SLI-Speech and Language Impaired: a communication disorder such as stuttering, impaired articulation, language impairment, or a voice impairment, which adversely affects a child's learning.

SLP/ SLT-Speech and Language Pathologist/Therapist: a related service provider for students needing speech and language support (SLI) to fully access and be successful in the learning environment.

SWD-Students With Disabilities: a general term for students with various disabilities such as SLI, LD, ASD who may need extra support to be successful I the learning environment.

General School Terms:

CCLS-Common Core Learning Standards

DL-Dual Language

ECAM-Early Childhood Assessment of Mathematics

ELL-English Language Learner

ENL (formerly ESL)-English as a New Language

GRI-Guided Reading Instruction

ICT-Integrated Collaborative Teaching

LLI-Leveled Literacy Instruction

RTI-Response To Intervention

SDI*-Specially Designed Instruction

SIT-Student Intervention Team

TCRWP-Teacher’s College Reading and Writing Project

UDL-Universal Design for Learning