Have you ever had a medical physician speak to you in abbreviations, acronyms or Latin phrases that didn’t make any sense?
Most every profession has its own unique phrases and words, including education. Here’s a list of some common education terms that you will likely hear throughout the school year:
ACT – (American College Testing) College readiness test divided into four sections: English, math, reading, and science reasoning.
Acuity – Computerized pre and post assessment of Language Arts and mathematics in grades 1-6. Benchmark tests are given four times per year and the data is used to plan instruction.
AP – (Advanced Placement) College-level classes offered at high schools. Students can earn college credit if they obtain a certain score on an end-of-year exam.
Benchmark – Level of performance that is expected of a student at a certain grade level.
CRT – (Criterion-Referenced Test) Assessment tests taken toward the end of the school year that evaluates a student’s knowledge of English, math and science.
Curriculum – The content of instruction, including lesson plans, materials, and resources required to meet standards.
Dual Language Immersion – A state-funded program in which students are taught in two classrooms: one in English and one in a second language (Chinese, French or Spanish).
Free or reduced lunch – Student meal that has been completely or partially subsidized by government funds.
GEC – (Granite Education Center) Central offices of Granite School District (2500 South State Street).
GTI – (Granite Technical Institute) Career and technical learning facility located adjacent to the GEC.
Heterogeneous classroom – Group of students of mixed academic abilities.
IEP – (Individualized Education Program) Learning goals and objectives for a child who has been diagnosed with a disability.
LAND Trust funds – State trust lands that are leased and sold to generate money for public schools.
Magnet program – Specialized program for gifted & talented students from across the district. Granite School District has two Magnet programs – one at Fox Hills Elementary, and one at Morningside Elementary.
PLC – (Professional Learning Community) School or department that collaborates as a team to focus on student achievement, usage of assessment data, and providing an individualized approach for each student.
SAT – (Scholastic Assessment Test) Exam intended to assess a student’s readiness for college. Taking the SAT or the ACT is required for entry into most universities.
SCC – (School Community Council) Advisory body composed of parents and employees at a school.
SEP – Student Education Plan
Standards – A description of what students should know or be able to do.
USOE – Utah State Office of Education