Glossary

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504 plan
An individualized plan for a student with a disability who may not meet the eligibility criteria for exceptional student education (ESE) programs (Go to Who is Eligible? page) but who requires accommodations under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which requires identification, evaluation, provision of services, parental notification, and procedural safeguards.

A

Accessibility
Adapting building structures and equipment to accommodate the special needs of individuals with a disability.

Accommodations
Changes that can be made to the way students with disabilities are instructed and assessed. Accommodations can be made to instructional methods and materials, assignments and assessments, learning environment, time demands and schedules, and special communication systems. Special accommodations allowed for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test include response, presentation, setting, schedule, and assistive technology.

Acoustical treatments
Special treatments to the walls, floors, or ceilings of rooms and facilities that help to absorb noises and sounds that may interfere with the ability of person who is deaf or hard of hearing to use his or her residual hearing.

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) measures the progress of all public schools and school districts toward enabling all students to meet the State's academic achievement standards. AYP measurements target the performance and participation of various subgroups based on race or ethnicity, socioeconomic status, disability, and English proficiency. The goal of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is to have 100 percent of students proficient by 2013-14.

Adult basic education
Courses for academic instruction in reading, mathematics, and language, and workplace readiness at a grade level equivalency of 0 through 8.9. Each course has literacy completion points (LCPs) corresponding to grade level equivalencies. LCPs are used to document student improvement and attainment of workforce readiness skills.

Alternate assessment
The assessment procedure that is used for a student with a disability who does not participate in the statewide assessment program. This assessment is identified and documented on the student's individual educational plan (IEP). Examples of alternate assessments used in Florida include the Alternate Assessment for Special Diploma, the Performance Assessment System for Students with Disabilities (PASSD), and the Brigance Inventories.

Visit the Panhandle Area Educational Consortium (PAEC) website at http://www.paec.org/AboutPAEC/departments/alternateassessment/ for information about the Florida Alternate Assessment Report.

Alternate curriculum
Coursework designed to meet student education needs that require modification of the Sunshine State Standards. Annual goals stated in the IEP would reflect progress toward the alternate curriculum's priorities and allow the student to work toward a special diploma.

Alternate response mode
An accommodation in assignments or classroom assessments for a student with a disability. For example, instead of writing the answer to a quiz item, the student may tell, draw, or point. Students may also have alternate response modes on tests if the accommodation is documented on the student's IEP or 504 plan. (Go to Florida's Rules Addressing Accommodations and Modifications or Modification of the State Student Assessment.)

American Sign Language (ASL)
A method of communicating by using hand signs. Each sign represents one word or a concept that is typically expressed with several spoken words. For words that do not have a sign, fingerspelling is used.

Assessment
Measuring, collecting, and bringing together information about a child's present level of performance.

Classroom assessment includes the tests and observations made by a teacher of the child's day-to-day learning in a class.

Statewide assessment includes the standardized tests given to students in Florida to determine how well they are learning the knowledge and skills in the Sunshine State Standards. The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) measures reading, mathematics, writing, and science.

Assistive technology
Any item, piece of equipment or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities, as defined by IDEA 20 U.S.C. Chapter 33, Section 1401 (21).

Assistive technology device
Any piece of equipment used by a person with a disability to increase, maintain, or improve his or her functional capabilities. (Refer to the Assistive Technology page.)

Assistive Technology Education Network (ATEN)
http://www.aten.scps.k12.fl.us/
A network of services related to providing assessment and consultation on assistive technology to the state of Florida through five regional centers.

Assistive technology service
Any service that helps a person with a disability select, obtain, and use an assistive technology device. These services include evaluation; purchasing or leasing; selection, design, or fitting; coordination; and training. (Refer to the Assistive Technology page.)

Augmentative/alternative communication systems (AAC)
Systems of communication that generally include assistive technology such as communication boards, that can help with writing (both composition and punctuation), spelling, typing, word selection, conversation, speech synthesis, manual reading, or other communication needs made difficult by a disability.

Autistic
Students who exhibit impaired social interaction and communication skills and who engage in activities, behaviors, and interests that are repetitive, restricted, and stereotyped. In addition, they often experience unusual reactions to sensory stimuli. The majority of students with autism also exhibit significant cognitive disabilities (mental handicaps), although some have normal or above normal intelligence. (Review Rule 6A-6.03032, FAC at http://www.firn.edu/doe/rules/6a-63.htm#6A-6.03023.)

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Barrier free environment
A barrier free or accessible environment designed to make it possible for individuals with a disability to get around in the school or community. Many buildings are equipped with nonslip surfaces, guide rails, ramps, elevators, and automatic doors. Accessibility standards are included in the Americans with Disabilities Act. The accessibility standards describe requirements for components such as parking, doors and entries, alarms, telephones, drinking fountains, and restrooms.

Basic education
The name of the general educational program for students in Florida. It includes courses in academics and related areas, such as English I or World History.

Behavioral intervention
Type of accommodation in the learning environment that involves positive behavioral supports or a specialized behavior management system. The intervention may include predictable routines for daily activities, clear rules, consistent enforcement, and regular consultation.

Behavior management plan
A plan developed for an individual student or a group of students in which rules and expectations are clearly identified. Procedures are described that will help the student(s) learn to manage their own behavior. This may include a level system and clearly defined reinforcements and consequences.

Benchmark
Statements of major milestones for learning for each of the Sunshine State Standards. For the academic subject areas, benchmarks are stated at four grade level clusters: Prekindergarten to Grade 2, Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8, and Grades 9-12. For special diploma standards, benchmarks are stated at three levels of proficiency: Independent, Supported, and Participatory.

Blind, visually impaired (VI)
Visual impairments are defined as disorders in the structure and function of the eyes that, even with the best correction and treatment, interfere with vision. (Review Rule 6A 6.03014(1).FAC at http://www.firn.edu/doe/rules/6a-62.htm#6A-6.03014.)

Braille
A system of reading and writing in which letters and words are formed by patterns of raised dots that are felt by the fingertips.

Brainstorming
A classroom strategy that generates a list of ideas or a creative solution. First, all students in the group contribute input, accepting all ideas. Then the group works cooperatively to edit and refine their list, creating a final product.
Adapted from: Florida Department of Education. (1998). Florida curriculum framework: Elementary program. (p. 430). Tallahassee, FL: Florida Department of State.

Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS)
http://www.firn.edu/doe/commhome/home0014.htm
The organization within the Florida Department of Education that deals with programs for students with a disability, student services including counseling and school psychology, safe schools, and juvenile justice programs.

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Career education/vocational education
Provides a range of programs for students to prepare them for the workplace. Programs begin with exploratory instruction at the middle school level that gives exposure to occupations and helps with academic and career planning. In high school, practical arts courses develop generic job skills and job preparatory education prepares students for effective entry into an occupation. High school programs include work experience, directed study, on the job training, and leadership skills.

Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)
A not-for-profit organization that uses technology to expand opportunities for all people, including those with disabilities, through universal design for learning. Their work focuses on the development of learning models, approaches, and tools. (Go to the CAST website at http://www.cast.org/ and this website's Assistive Technology page.)

Classroom accommodations
Changes to the way that a student with disabilities accesses instruction or demonstrates performance on assignments and assessments. This may include changes in the way instruction is delivered, use of different instructional materials, adjustments to the learning environment, or appropriate assistive technology. (Go to Kinds of Accommodations.)

Classroom management
A set of strategies including communication, rules, expectations, feedback, behavior modeling, reinforcement, and guidelines that teachers use to maintain classroom discipline and keep students on task.

Clearinghouse Information Center
Part of the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS) that operates a resource center for parents, educators, and other Floridians. The Clearinghouse provides materials about people with exceptionalities, exceptional student education, schools, health, and other topics. Consult the Clearinghouse website at http://www.myfloridaeducation.com/commhome/clerhome.htm for contact and ordering information.

Concept mapping
A type of graphic organizer useful at all stages of a learning activity to collect and put information in order. The teacher may begin by writing a word or idea in the center. Students contribute what they know about it, sorting input into categories that radiate from center. Lines between words and ideas show connections. Students gather information from assignments, add input to concept map categories.
Adapted from: Florida Department of Education. (1998). Florida curriculum framework: Elementary program. (p. 421). Tallahassee, FL: Florida Department of State.

Course description
State adopted descriptions of courses for grades 6-12 in basic education, exceptional student education, and career education programs in Florida. These descriptions include statements of major concepts and content and a list of course requirements correlated to the Sunshine State Standards.

Course requirement
In the Florida Course Descriptions, course requirements list what students will be able to do after completing a particular course. Each course requirement is correlated to benchmarks from the Sunshine State Standards and has suggested performance objectives. For example, in Course Number 7863060, Orientation and Mobility: 6-8, Course Requirement 2 states: "Student will be able to demonstrate travel skills including the use of adaptive aids and equipment". There are 23 performance objectives for this requirement that range from moving around a room to using public transportation. (Follow this link to search the ESE Course Descriptions database on this website.)

Curriculum Frameworks
Documents that contain the Sunshine State Standards and benchmarks for Florida student achievement in general education at four grade levels, PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Curriculum Frameworks also include descriptions of exemplary practices in instruction, assessment, staff development, and program evaluation. Curriculum Frameworks are available for Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Health and Physical Education, the Arts, and Foreign Languages.

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Deaf, hard of hearing, hearing impaired (DHH)
Having a hearing impairment aided or unaided that interferes with processing linguistic information and which adversely affects communication, developmental skills, academic development, vocational or career skills, or social and emotional adjustment. The degree of loss may range from mild to profound. (Review Rule 6A-6.03013(1), FAC at http://www.firn.edu/doe/rules/6a-62.htm#6A-6.03013.)

Department of Education (DOE)
http://www.fldoe.org/
The organization within Florida State government responsible for all public education programs. The Commissioner of Education is the head of the Department of Education.

Disability
A physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities (Review Rule 6A-19.001(6), FAC at http://www.firn.edu/doe/rules/6a-19.htm#6A-19.001.)

Dual sensory impaired
Having both visual and hearing impairments. (Review Rule 6A-6.03022, FAC at http://www.firn.edu/doe/rules/6a-63.htm#6A-6.03022.

Due process rights
Rights that give school personnel and parents ways to solve problems and settle disagreements. They include: the right to participation, the right to have notice, the right to give consent, and the right to a due process hearing. The hearing is a formal meeting run by an impartial hearing officer, where parents and school officials can resolve disagreements fairly. (Download: "For Parents of Florida's Exceptional Students" from http://www.myfloridaeducation.com/commhome/pdf/pis3412a.pdf, the Clearinghouse Information Center website, Florida Department of Education.)

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Emotionally handicapped (EH) or severely emotionally disturbed (SED)
Includes students with significant behavioral and emotional dysfunction. Often they have normal intelligence but lack of self control and poor mental health inhibit their success in an academic environment. (Review Rule 6A-6.03016, FAC at http://www.firn.edu/doe/rules/6a-62.htm#6A-6.03016.)

English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
Also known as English as a second language (ESL) instruction which combines methods of teaching English as a second language with the curriculum requirements of English language arts in order to give language enriched pupils or limited English proficient (LEP) students equal educational opportunities.

Exceptional student education (ESE)
The name used in Florida to describe special education services and programs for students with a disability or who are gifted.

Events of instruction
Robert Gagné, a pioneer of instructional design, demonstrated through research that effective lessons are based on a sequence of nine events. These events allow students to achieve learning objectives.
Adapted from: Gagné, R.M. (1965).The conditions of learning. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc.
Gagné, R.M. (1992). Principles of instructional design. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc.

Exceptionality
A characteristic of a student that qualifies him or her as an exceptional student.

Exceptional student
In Florida, the term exceptional student includes students with disabilities and students who are gifted.

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Free appropriate public education (FAPE)
A federal regulation (34 CFR 300.121) that specifies that all children with disabilities, age 3 through 21, including children with disabilities who have been suspended or expelled from school, are entitled to a free and appropriate public education. Districts must provide FAPE to all students with disabilities who have not reached age 22 and who have not earned a regular high school diploma.

Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT)
The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is the statewide assessment program that specifically addresses a student's ability to perform on the Sunshine State Standards in Florida. The test questions and performance tasks are written to measure specific Sunshine State Standards benchmarks in the areas of reading in grades 3 through 10, mathematics in grades 3 through 10, writing in grades 4, 8, and 10, and science in grades 5, 8, and 10. A passing score on the grade 10 FCAT or reading and mathematics is a graduation requirement. (Go to the Florida DOE's FCAT home page at http://www.firn.edu/doe/sas/fcat.htm and the FCAT page of this website.

Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS)
http://www.fdlrs.com/
An organization of 19 regional associate centers throughout Florida to provide assistance to school districts related to programs and services for students with a disability. Ten specialized centers, including the Clearinghouse Information Center, also provide services such as instructional technology, materials for visually handicapped, assistive technology, materials for the hearing impaired, and multidisciplinary evaluations.

Florida Writes
Formerly the statewide test of writing, now a part of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT).

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Grade level expectation (GLE)
Statements of expectations for learning at each grade level in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, visual arts, and music for kindergarten through grade 8.

Graphic organizer
A way of representing concepts and ideas visually in graphic form to help students organize and see relationships among ideas. Examples: webbing, concept mapping.

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I

Individual educational plan (IEP)
A written plan to identify the annual goals and objectives and special education and related services designed to meet the individual needs of a student with a disability. The IEP is developed by teachers, parents, the student, and others as appropriate, and is reviewed annually.

Independent
Students functioning at a level where they are capable of meeting their own needs and working and living successfully in their own communities as adults without support from others.

Instructional/lesson planning
A process of developing learning activities and assessments. This includes identifying objectives, selecting instructional materials, addressing the events of instruction, providing accommodations, and designing assessments.

Instructional/teaching strategy
A plan or method for providing instruction that is accessible to all students in the classroom and that motivates learning. Teachers may use a variety of strategies, such as cooperative learning, graphic organizers, brainstorming, or journal keeping.

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K

KWL=Know, Want to Know, Learned
A classroom strategy with a three column chart where the teacher lists what students Know about a topic in left column. Students list what they Want to know in the middle column. After the assignment, students complete the third (right) column with what they Learned in each category and compare it to the"Want to know" column.
Adapted from: Florida Department of Education. (1998). Florida curriculum framework: Elementary program. (p. 416). Tallahassee, FL: Florida Department of State.
Ogle, Donna. (1986). KWL. A teaching model that develops active reading of expository text. The Reading Teacher. 39, 564 to 70.

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Learning objective
"An explicit description of what students will be able to do as a result of the instruction they receive." Reiser, R. and Dick, W. (1996) Instructional planning. (p. 21). Needham Heights, MA: Simon and Schuster.

Least restrictive environment (LRE)
Placement of a student with disabilities in a regular class or in a special program for the amount of time that is appropriate for the individual child. Taking a child out of a regular school setting (self contained setting) should be done only to ensure access to a satisfactory education.

Lesson plan
A lesson plan is the structure for presenting instruction. It includes the lesson objective, introducing the lesson, presenting the content, providing student practice and feedback, summarizing the lesson, and assessing the lesson.

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Mentally handicapped (MH)
Describes significant cognitive difficulties and more generalized deficits resulting in problems with learning necessary skills and behaviors for daily living.

• Educable mentally handicapped (EMH): Students have mild cognitive deficits and are generally able to learn basic academic and employment skills. Most are able to function fairly independently as adults.
• Trainable mentally handicapped (TMH): Students have moderate cognitive disabilities and are generally able to learn basic daily living skills, with ongoing support and supervision throughout their lives.
• Profoundly mentally handicapped (PMH): Students have severe cognitive deficits. They are able to participate in life's activities with extensive assistance and support throughout their lives.

(Review Rule 6A-6.03011, FAC at http://www.firn.edu/doe/rules/6a-61.htm#6A-6.03011.)

Mindmapping
An effective graphic technique for notetaking, brainstorming, or organizing information. Key words, images, and lines are used to create a branching visual representation of the central subject and associated themes and topics. Tony Buzan and others have described the technique.

Mnemonics
Techniques that aid recall of specific information or processes. One common type of mnemonic involves forming new words or sentences using the initial letter of the first word in a sequence of steps or the first letter of words in a list. Others incorporate rhymes, songs, or related images.

Modifications
Changes that can be made in what a student is expected to learn. These changes may include changes to content, requirements, and expected level of mastery. Modifications may include partial completion of course or program requirements, expectations substantially below grade level, alternate curriculum goals, or use of alternate assessments. For more information, go to the Modifications section of this website.

Modified occupational completion points (MOCPs)
Student performance standards are selected on an individual basis for a customized occupational program. The MOCPs are documented in the student's transition IEP. These enable students with disabilities to participate in regular career education classes and develop skills that will lead to a specific job.

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No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is a federal education reform law based on four principles: stronger accountability for results, increased flexibility and local control, expanded options for parents, and an emphasis on teaching methods that have been proven to work. The No Child Left Behind Act requires all states to utilize state assessments to determine if a school has made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in the proficiency of all students. Adequate Yearly Progress is one of four measures that will be used to determine how well schools are performing in Florida. The others are: school grades, individual student progress towards annual learning targets to reach proficiency, and a return on investment measure that links dollars spent to student achievement.

O

Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html
Part of the U.S. Department of Education whose mission is "to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation through vigorous enforcement of civil rights." (Office of Civil Rights website, index page, http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html, Overview of the Agency section.)

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Participatory
Students functioning at a level where they require an extensive ongoing support system to participate in all areas of life.

Performance Assessment System for Students with Disabilities (PASSD)
A system of educational accountability developed by the state of Florida based on current research in performance based assessment and the educational needs of students with disabilities. PASSD includes realistic expectations for students with mild, moderate, or severe disabilities and provides guidance on reporting student performance. The performance expectations of PASSD reflect three levels of independence in major adult living roles: Independent, Supported, and Participatory, depending on the level of independence students are expected to achieve in adulthood.

Physically impaired
Includes students with physical impairments or motor disabilities that require the use of a walker or wheelchair, or special assistive technology for communication. Students with traumatic brain injury or other health impairments who require special education services are also included in this category. (Review Rule 6A-6.03015, FAC at http://www.firn.edu/doe/rules/6a-62.htm#6A-6.03015.)

Presented symbol system
Go to definition for Augmentative/Alternative Communication systems.

Procedural safeguards
Written notice of policies about evaluation, prior written notice, parental consent, placement, complaints, due process, mediation, court action and appeals given to the parents of a child with disabiities upon initial referral, notification of IEP meetings, reevaluation, and request for due process.

Pupil progression plan
A plan adopted by each school district that describes curriculum expectations, promotion and retention policies, and graduation requirements for a standard and special diploma.

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R

Regular class
This is a basic education class in the academic curriculum or a career education class, as opposed to a special class designed specifically for ESE students.

S

Scaffolding
Temporary support for learning including systematic prompts in content, materials, activities, and teacher and peer assistance. This support is provided while students are learning new knowledge and skills, and faded as students reach mastery. To learn more about scaffolding techniques, download the book "Accommodations: Assisting Students with Disabilities" in PDF format, and refer to page 16.

School district
Each Florida county is a school district. District officials are in charge of the operation and administration of K-12 schools, which are part of Florida's public education. There are 67 regular (county) school districts in Florida, plus designated developmental research schools in some of the state universities.

Self contained setting (or resource room)
A location where all instruction comes from ESE teachers and all students have exceptionalities. Self contained means that the students spend all or nearly all day in that class. In resource rooms, students spend only part of the school day in the ESE class.

Special Diploma, Option 1
A type of diploma for certain students with a disability who are not able to meet all requirements for a standard high school diploma. Students must meet district course credit requirements and master the Sunshine State Standards for Special Diploma.

Special Diploma, Option 2
A type of diploma for certain students with a disability who are not able to meet all requirements for a standard high school diploma. The student must master all competencies related to employment and access to the community included in his or her graduation-training plan. The student must also achieve all annual goals and short-term objectives identified on the transition IEP related to employment and community competencies. In addition, the student must be successfully employed full-time, at or above minimum wage, for at least one semester. Additional requirements may be defined by each school district.

Special education services
Those related to specially designed instruction for a student with an exceptionality. Special education adapts lesson delivery, content, and instructional methods to the student's needs and provides services such as instruction in braille, additional individualized practice, or social skills training.

Specific learning disabilities (SLD)
Difficulties with psychological or information processing in students with normal intelligence, that often result in significant problems with learning basic skills in some academic areas. (Review Rule 6A-6.03018, FAC at http://www.firn.edu/doe/rules/6a-62.htm#6A-6.03018.)

Speech and language impaired (SLI)
Includes students who have problems articulating sounds and speaking fluently, or who have more severe receptive and expressive language disorders. These students may have difficulty saying what they mean, understanding what has been said, or with reading and writing. (Review Rule 6A-6.03012, FAC at http://www.firn.edu/doe/rules/6a-61.htm#6A-6.03012.)

Standard diploma
The type of diploma earned by most Florida high school students. The state legislature and the local school district set the requirements. Differentiated diploma options include a college ready, gold seal vocational diploma, and international baccalaureate diploma. Students are required to earn credits in a set of required and elective courses, have a certain grade point average, and pass the high school graduation test.

Standardized test
A test designed to be administered, scored, and interpreted the same way, no matter where or when it is given. Some examples are college entrance exams like the ACT or SAT, or statewide tests like the FCAT.

Standards
In the Sunshine State Standards, the educational standards are general statements of what students are expected to be able to achieve upon graduation. These are known as exit standards.

State Board of Education
Coordinates public education in Florida and makes policy regarding public school operation, educational opportunities, rules, and standards. For the current State Board of Education member directory, please visit their website at http://www.fldoe.org/board/default.asp.

Strands
In the Sunshine State Standards, the strands name the major categories of content within a subject area. For example, in Language Arts, there are strands for Reading; Writing; Listening, Viewing, and Speaking; Language; and Literature. Mathematics has strands in Number Sense, Operations, and Concepts; Measurement; Geometry and Spatial Sense; Algebraic Thinking; and Data, Statistics, and Probability.

Study carrel
An enclosed or semi-enclosed area where a student may work with fewer distractions.

Sunshine State Standards
Statements of expected learning for Florida students in the areas of Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Health and Physical Education, the Arts, Foreign Languages, and Special Diploma. These standards define the outcomes of the general curriculum in Florida.

Sunshine State Standards for Special Diploma
Standards designed to prepare students seeking a special diploma for adult living and employment after graduation. Areas (Domains) included in the standards are: Curriculum and Learning Environment, Independent Functioning, Social and Emotional Behavior, and Communication.

Support system (or support facilitation)
An ESE teacher works with general education teacher(s) and ESE students assigned to a general classroom to make sure the students are achieving learning objectives. The ESE teacher, or support facilitator, may work with students in more than one classroom.

Supported
Students functioning at a level where they are capable of achieving some independence in adulthood but require ongoing assistance and supervision.

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Tests of General Education Development (GED Tests)
Tests in English, social studies, science, literature, and mathematics used by adults to earn a high school diploma. Accommodations are allowed for individuals with a disability.

Think-Pair-Share
A type of cooperative discussion related to a classroom activity. The teacher asks all students to Think about the activity individually and make notes. Students then work in Pairs, talking about what they have written and contributing to each other's notes. The class finishes by Sharing comments and ideas.
Adapted from: Florida Department of Education. (1998). Florida curriculum framework: Elementary program. (p. 412). Tallahassee, FL: Florida Department of State.
Kagan, Spencer. (1989). Cooperative learning. 202 San Juan Capistrano, CA: Resources for Teachers.

Total communication
Combining sign language and speech (or lip) reading so that a word is signed and spoken at the same time. Total communication can also incorporate sound amplification with lighting or images to give a range of auditory and visual stimulation.

Transition services
A set of coordinated activities designed to help a student move from school to post school activities including independent living, work, or continued education after finishing high school. This may include instruction, related services, community experiences, work toward post-school goals, and, if appropriate, daily living skills and functional vocational evaluation, all based on the student's needs and preferences.

Transition IEP
IEPs written beginning with a student's eighth grade year or the year the student turns age 14. This type of IEP deals with issues related to making the transition to adult life after high school, including diploma decisions.

Two-column notes
A note-taking technique accomplished by dividing paper, transparency, or other writing surface into two columns. Students write column headings appropriate to type of notes: main idea/detail, opinion/proof, hypothesis/proof, problem/solution. Under each heading, students fill in words or phrases from text or other material. Entries in right column correspond to entries on left: i.e., proofs with opinion or hypothesis; details with main ideas. Can be adapted to review activity by covering or folding back one column: students supply missing information and review hidden column for recall. Teacher can ask for conclusions or relate to material previously learned for comprehension check.
Adapted from: Kalispell School District. (1996). Project CRISS (2nd ed.). (p. 82). Kalispell, MT: Author.

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Unit
A unit is a group of lesson plans based on specific course objectives, concepts, or skills. The unit approach to planning instruction helps sequence lessons to build deeper understanding and avoid teaching isolated skills.

Universal design for learning
Universal design for learning (UDL) is a new approach to teaching and learning and the development of curriculum and assessment that draws on current brain research and new media technologies to respond to individual learner differences. UDL curricula, teaching practices, and policies are inherently flexible and therefore may reduce the demand on educators to develop and implement modifications and accommodations to meet individual differences within general education learning environments.
(from the CAST website, http://www.cast.org/research/udl/, November 21, 2000)

V

Vocational education
Go to definition of career education.

W

Webbing
A type of graphic organizer based on brainstorming to generate ideas and show connections among them. The teacher suggests a topic. Students call out words or phrases they associate with it. Then the teacher uses a web of lines to show information patterns and connections among words.
Adapted from: Florida Department of Education. (1998). Florida Curriculum Framework: Elementary Program. (p. 420). Tallahassee, Fl: Florida Department of State.

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