Special Education provides students, parents/guardians and teachers with a host of helpful information. In this section, you will get a better understanding of the terminology associated with special education, including the different categories of exceptionalities.

Special Education Glossary

504: Refers to section 504 of ADA (504 Service Plan for students with disabilities not under IDEA)

ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act

ADD: Attention Deficit Disorder

ADHD: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ASD: Autism Spectrum Disorder

AT: Assistive Technology

BIP: Behavior Intervention Plan (or Program)

CD: Conduct Disorder

DCS: Department of Children’s Services

DHS: Department of Human Services

DIDDS: Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

EOC:  End of Course (state high school TCAP exams)

ELL: English Language Learner

ESSA: Every Student Succeeds Act

ESY: Extended School Year

FAPE: Free and Appropriate Public Education

FBA: Functional Behavior Assessment

FERPA: Family Education Rights and Privacy Act

IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Act

IEA: Individualized Education Account

IEE: Individualized Education Evaluation

IEP: Individualized Education Plan

IFSP: Individual Family Service Plan

IQ: Intelligence Quotient

LEA: Local Education Agency

LRE: Least Restrictive Environment

OCR: Office of Civil Rights

OSEP: Office of Special Education Programs

OT: Occupational Therapist

PBIS: Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports 

PT: Physical Therapist

RTI: Response to Intervention

RTI2: Response to Instruction and Intervention

S-Team: Support Team

SDOE: State Department of Education

SEA: State Education Association

SLP: Speech/Language Pathologist

SLS: Speech/Language Specialist

SLT: Speech Language Therapist (or Teacher)

TCA: Tennessee Code Annotated

TDOE: Tennessee DEpartment of Education

TPP: Therapeutic Professional Partnership