Educators use many acronyms. Here is a list of translations:
ABCs: The ABCs of Public
Education. The ABCs is North Carolina's comprehensive plan to improve
public schools that is based on three goals: strong accountability, an
emphasis on student mastery of basic skills, and as much local control
as possible. The ABCs has been in operation in all schools since
1997-98. The model focuses on schools meeting growth expectations for
student achievement as well as on the overall percentage of students
who scored at or above grade level. The model uses end-of-grade tests
in grades 3-8 in reading and mathematics to measure growth at the
elementary and middle school levels and end-of-course tests to measure
growth at the high school level and at the middle school level where
appropriate. Certified staff receives bonuses based on student growth
and schools receive recognition based on the percentage of students'
scores at or above grade level.
ACT:
American College Testing. An alternative test to the SAT that students
take as a precursor to college/university admission.
ADM: Average Daily Membership. The number of days a student is enrolled
in school divided by the number of days in that school year.
AP: Advanced Placement. The AP program enables high school students to
complete college-level courses for college placement and/or credit.
AYP: Adequate Yearly Progress. Required under the federal No Child Left
Behind law, AYP provides another way to measure school performance. To
meet AYP, a school must meet target goals for each group of students of
40 or more. Target goals are set annually by the state for reading and
mathematics at grades 3-8 and 10, and for attendance rates or
graduation rates as well. AYP is an all-or-nothing model. If a school
misses one target, it does not make AYP. The long-term goal of AYP is
to have every school at 100 percent student proficiency by 2013-14.
CECAS: Comprehensive Exceptional Children Accountability System. A
secure Web-based student information system for exceptional children
that supports online case management, compliance monitoring, data
analysis and federal and state reporting requirements.
EOC: End-of-Course. EOC tests are designed to assess the competencies
defined by the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for each of the
following courses: Algebra I, Algebra II, English I, Biology,
Chemistry, Geometry, Physical Science, Physics, Civics and Economics,
and US History. Tests are taken during the last 10 days of school or
the equivalent for alternative schedules.
EOG: End-of-Grade. EOG tests in reading and mathematics are taken by
students in grades 3–8 during the last three weeks of the school year.
ESEA: Elementary and Secondary Education Act. This is the principal
federal law affecting K–12 education.
ESL: English as a Second Language.
ESL is a program model that delivers specialized instruction to
students who are learning English as a new language.
F&R: Free and Reduced Price Lunches. Children who qualify, due to
their parent's financial status, receive either free or reduced priced
lunches through a federal government program.
IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. This federal act
requires all states to develop alternate assessments for students with
disabilities for whom the standard statewide assessment program is not
appropriate.
IEP: Individualized Education Program. The IEP is a written statement
for a student with a disability that is developed, at least annually,
by a team of professionals knowledgeable about the student and the
parent. The plan describes the strengths of the child and the concerns
of the parents for enhancing the education of their child, and when,
where, and how often services will be provided. The IEP is required by
federal law for all exceptional children and must include specific
information about how the student will be served and what goals he or
she should be meeting.
IPT: The IDEA language Proficiency Tests used to determine the
appropriate assessment for limited English proficient students.
LEA Local Education Agency. Synonymous with local school system and
indicating that a public board of education or other public authority
maintains administrative control of the public schools in a city or
county.
LEP: Limited English Proficient. Students whose first language is one
other than English and who need language assistance to participate
fully in the regular curriculum.
NAEP: National Assessment of Educational Progress. Also known as the
“Nation's Report Card,” NAEP assesses the educational achievement of
elementary and secondary students in various subject areas. It provides
the best data for comparing the performance of students in North
Carolina to that of their peers across the nation.
NCDPI: The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The N.C.
Department of Public Instruction administers the policies adopted by
the State Board of Education and offers instructional, financial,
technological and personnel support to all public school systems in the
state.
NC WISE: North Carolina Window of Information on Student Education. This
secure Web-based tool provides educators with direct and immediate
access to a full spectrum of data on a student's entire career in the
North Carolina public school system.
NCHSCT: North Carolina High School Comprehensive Test. A multiple-choice
test designed to assess the English Language Arts and Mathematics
competencies the typical student should master by the end of the 10th
grade.
NCLB: No Child Left Behind. NCLB is the more recent reauthorization of
the Elementary and Secondary Authorization Act and represents a
sweeping change in the federal government's role in local public
education. NCLB has a variety of goals, but the most dominant ones are
for every school to be at 100 percent proficiency by 2013-14 as
measured by student achievement on state tests and for every child to
be taught by a “Highly Qualified” teacher. The new law emphasizes new
standards for teachers and new consequences for Title I schools that do
not meet student achievement standards for two or more consecutive
years. For more information on NCLB, please go to
www.ncpublicschools/nclb.
PEP: Personalized Education Plan. Plans specifically designed to improve
a student's performance to grade-level proficiency. PEP also stands for
Principals' Executive Program. This preparation program for principals
provides relevant and rigorous professional development opportunities
based on the best current theories and practices.
PSAT: Pre-Scholastic Assessment Test. The PSAT is normally taken by high
school juniors as a practice test for the SAT. Some schools use the
PSAT as a diagnostic tool to identify areas where students may need
additional assistance or placement in more rigorous courses.
SAT: Scholastic Assessment Test. The SAT, which is often taken by high
school juniors and seniors as a precursor to college/university
admission, assesses a student's verbal, mathematical, and writing
skills.
SBE: State Board of Education. The State Board of Education is charged
with supervising and administering “the free public school system and
the education funds provided for its support.” The Board consists of
the Lieutenant Governor, the Treasurer, and 11 members appointed by the
Governor and confirmed by the General Assembly in Joint Session.
SCS: Standard Course of Study. The North Carolina Standard Course of
Study is the guiding document as to what should be taught in North
Carolina public school classrooms.
SIP: School Improvement Plan. A plan that includes strategies for
improving student performance, how and when improvements will be
implemented, use of state funds, requests for waivers, etc. Plans are
in effect for no more than three years.
Title I: A federal funding program for schools to help students who are
behind academically or at risk of falling behind. Funding is based on
the number of low-income children in a school, generally those eligible
for the free lunch program. Title I money supplements state and
district funds.
Title III: Title III is the section of No Child Left Behind that
provides funding and addresses English language acquisition and
standards and accountability requirements for limited English
proficient students.
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