Glossary of Terms

Baseline Data

Shows how a child is doing in areas such as learning, behavior, speaking, hearing, and movement.

This may include:

Tests
Classwork
Teacher observations
Student work samples
State test results

Common Core Standards

Common Core State Standards explain what students should learn in math and English Language Arts (ELA) at each grade level. They help teachers know what skills and knowledge students should have by the end of the school year.

To learn more about Common Core Standards, click here or visit the Office of the State Superintendent of Education Common Core Standards page here.

Department on Disability Services (DDS)

The DC Department on Disability Services (DDS) helps people with disabilities get and keep a job. DDS can start working with DCPS students as early as age 14. DDS can also help decide if a student's disability may affect their ability to work in the future.

To learn more about DDS, click here.

District of Columbia Comprehensive Assessments of Progress in Education (DC CAPE)

To learn more about DC CAPE, click here.

Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)

Students with disabilities have the right to receive special education and related services at no cost.

These services must:

Be free of charge
Meet state education requirements
Include an appropriate preschool, elementary, or secondary education
Be provided through the student's Individualized Education Program (IEP)

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)

This federal law makes sure students with disabilities get special education services and helps protect the rights of parents and adult students.

A copy of the parent rights and protections is provided to parents; click here to view.

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

This written plan describes your child's learning goals, special education services, supports, and accommodations. It is developed and updated by the IEP team to meet your child's needs.

IEP Team

The IEP Team is a group of people who know the student and work together to support their learning and success. The team includes:

Parents or guardians
General education teacher(s), when appropriate
Special education teacher(s)
A school representative
An individual who can explain evaluation results
Other staff or service providers who know the student
The student, when appropriate

The IEP Team develops, reviews, and updates the student's IEP and helps make decisions about services and educational placement.

Click here to access the IEP toolkit.

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)

The school setting that best meets your child's needs while allowing them to learn with students without disabilities as much as possible.

Local Education Agency (LEA)

A public school system that manages and supports public schools. In DC, LEAs include DC Public Schools (DCPS) and 68 public charter schools.

Local educational Agency Representative and Local educational Agency Representative Designee (LEARD)

The principal selects a staff member to coordinate special education services at the school. The LEARD and IEP case manager help identify students who may have a disability and schedule special education meetings. In some schools, a student's teacher may also serve as the IEP case manager.

Location of Service (LOS)

The school where a student receives the services and supports listed in their IEP. This may change without changing the student's IEP or special education placement.

Multi-State Alternate Assessment (MSAA)

To learn more, click here.

Office of State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education is the state education agency for the district. As a result, OSSE sets statewide policies and provides resources and support. OSSE also ensures accountabilities for all public education in the district.

To learn more about OSSE, click here.

Resource Classroom

A small group classroom setting where students receive instruction outside of the general education setting. Students MUST have an IEP to receive this service.

Self-Contained

Students spend 20 hours or more per week in a classroom with students with disabilities.

Specialized Instruction

A teaching method that helps meet a student's learning needs related to their disability. It helps the student learn and make progress in the general education classroom.