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ACCEL – Academically Challenging Curriculum to Enhance Learning

ACCESS for ELLs– An assessment that the State of Florida uses to measure the growth of students classified as English Language Learners (ELL) in mastering the areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking in English.

ACCESS POINTS – Alternate achievement standards intended only for students with a significant cognitive disability. Parental consent is required.

Accommodations – Changes to the way a student is taught or how a student is tested.

Accreditation – Duval County Public Schools are accredited based on the standards set by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

ACHIEVE 3000 – System used to determine Lexile levels and to differentiate instruction.

Alternative Assessment – An assessment, other than the state required assessment, which is given to third grade students to show proficiency in the tested areas.

EE/SS (Exceptional Education and Student Services) – The Exceptional Education and Student Services Department provides services and supports for students with disabilities, gifted learners and other eligible students.

ELL (English Language Learners) – ELL, previously known as Limited English Proficient (LEP), is used to describe a student whose first language is not English, while ESOL refers to the program itself. Florida Statute defines an English Language Learner (ELL) as, “An individual who was not born in the United States and whose native language is a language other than English; an individual who comes from a home environment where a language other than English is spoken in the home; or an individual who is an American Indian or Alaskan native and who comes from an environment where a language other than English has had significant impact on his or her level of English language proficiency; and who, by reason thereof, has sufficient difficulty speaking, reading, writing, or listening to the English language to deny such individual the opportunity to learn successfully in classrooms where the language of instruction is English” (F.S. § 1003.56 (2)).

English Language Proficiency (ELP) – The student’s English language proficiency level is based on the overall score on ACCESS for ELLs, W-APT, WIDA Screener, or LAS Links.

End of Course (EOC) – State of Florida assessments given in conjunction with the middle school Civics course and the high school Algebra 1, Geometry, Biology and US History Courses.

Enrichment Mathematics – Intensive mathematics instruction is designed to improve math skills of students who have scored a Level 1 on FCAT Mathematics or other required state assessments.

Enrichment Reading – Intensive reading instruction or reading intervention is required for students who scored a Level 1 or Level 2 disfluent on FCAT Reading or other required state reading assessments in grades 6 – 12. This is in addition to the regular English class. This provides extended instructional time in reading strategies for students.

EP (Educational Plan) – A legal written plan required by the Florida Department of Education for students in the gifted program. It is developed in a meeting with the EP team at the time the student is staffed into the gifted program, and is reviewed and revised at the end of 2nd grade, the end of 5th grade and the end of 8th grade.

ESE (Exceptional Student Education) – This is the name given in Florida to educational programs and services for students with special learning needs, including those who have disabilities and those who are gifted. The U.S. Department of Education uses the term, special education.

ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Language) – This is a program for students whose first language is not English. Special teaching materials, techniques, strategies, and testing accommodations are used to assist these students in achieving English proficiency and to provide students appropriate access to the learning environment.

Extended Day – Before and after school enrichment for students in the areas of academic enhancement, tutoring and remediation that reflects the standards-based efforts of Duval County Public Schools.

Extended School Year Services (ESY) –Individualized instructional services beyond the regular 180-day school year for eligible students with disabilities receiving Exceptional Student Education services.

FAC (Florida Administrative Code) – The official compilation of administrative rules for the state of Florida.

FAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education) – Guaranteed by the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (IDEA), a Free Appropriate Public Education is an educational right of disabled students in the United States. FAPE is defined as an educational program that is individualized to a specific student, designed to meet that student’s unique needs, provides access to the general curriculum, meets the grade-level standards established by the state, and from which the student receives educational benefit. To provide FAPE to a student with a disability, schools must provide students with an education, including specialized instruction and related services that prepare the student for further education, employment, and independent living. It is provided to a student through the age of 21.

Florida Standards Access Points – Academic expectations in English Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies written specifically for students with significant cognitive disabilities and aligned with the Florida Standards. Access Points reflect the essence or core intent of the standards that apply to all students in the same grade, but at reduced levels of complexity.

Florida Standards Alternate Assessment (FSAA) – Designed for students with significant cognitive disabilities whose participation in the general statewide assessment program, as determined by the IEP Team, is not appropriate even with accommodations. The FSAA measures student academic performance on the Florida Standards Access Points in English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science. It is expected that only students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who are eligible under IDEA will participate in the FSAA.

Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) – The State of Florida’s assessments given annually to students in grades 3-10 beginning in 2014-15. This assessment will be administered through December of 2022.

Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (F.A.S.T.) – The State of Florida’s assessment given three times annually to students in VPK-Grade 10 beginning in 2022-23.

Formative Assessments – Classroom-based assessments that are utilized to assess mastery of concepts and skills taught in the specific course which informs teachers of instructional adjustments to help students master standards.

GED Exit Option – Provides intense instructional preparation for students in order to facilitate successful completion of FCAT and/or other state mandated tests and GED testing leading to the awarding of a district-designated high school diploma (e.g., high school students whose peers are graduating or have already graduated) [PBD and GI].

Good Cause Exemption – One of seven possible reasons defined in Florida Statutes for a third grade student who has not scored Level 2 on the required state reading assessment to be promoted to fourth grade.

Graduation Initiative Program (GI) – The Graduation Initiative Program is designed to provide an opportunity for students to earn a district high school diploma through successful completion of the GED Exit Option strategy. The Graduation Initiative is designed for students who are overage for grade, have not been successful in the traditional school environment, and have no realistic hope of graduating through the traditional manner. In order to participate in this program, students must score at the 7.0 level on the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) and the class they entered school with must either be seniors or already graduated. To earn a district high school diploma via the Graduation Initiative, students must pass both the FCAT or other required state assessments and GED tests (Grades 9-12).

Growth Score – The change in student achievement for an individual student between two or more points in time, as measured by an approved assessment(s).

Health Opportunitiesthrough Physical Education (H.O.P.E.) – This one credit physical education course includes integration of health and is required for graduation for those students who elected a standard diploma and who entered the 9th grade for the first time in 2007-2008 and beyond. It replaces for those students the ½ credit personal fitness, ½ credit elective PE, and ½ credit Health/Life Management. The purpose of this course is to develop and enhance healthy behaviors that influence lifestyle choices and student health and fitness.

IEP (Individual Education Plan) – A written, legal plan required by the Individuals with Disabilities Act that is developed, reviewed, and revised in a meeting with an IEP team, not less than annually, for a student with a disability.

iReady Reading and Math – A diagnostic assessment that identifies student needs to the sub-skill level, provides individualized instruction, and measures growth.

Kindergarten Screening – A statewide screening to assess the readiness of students based on state performance standards. The kindergarten screening is required within the first 30 days of the student’s enrollment.

LAS-Links (The Language Assessment System) – This district test is administered to assess the speaking, listening, reading and writing proficiency of ELLs to determine eligibility for extension of services.

LEP (Limited English Proficient) – Students who were not born in the United States and whose native language is a language other than English; an individual who comes from a home environment where a language other than English is spoken in the home; or an individual who is an American Indian or Alaskan native and who comes from an environment where a language other than English has had significant impact on his or her level of English language proficiency; and who, by reason thereof, has sufficient difficulty speaking, reading, writing, or listening to the English language to deny such individual the opportunity to learn successfully in classrooms where the language of instruction is English (F.S. § 1003.56 (2)).

Mid-Year Promotion – Mid-year promotion is the promotion of a retained third grade student prior to January 31 of the academic year in which promotion occurs (Elementary- Appendix C). Students in middle and high school may be eligible to promote mid-year if they meet promotion criteria by the end of the first semester.

Modifications – Changes to what a student is expected to learn. If a course is modified, there is a reduction to the amount of material a student must master in order to pass the course. Modifications to core academic grade level standards are reflected as Special Standards.

MTSS – Multi-Tiered System of Support – A comprehensive framework used to provide targeted support for all learners. It is rooted in supporting the “whole child”, whether an advanced or struggling learner, through academic, behavioral, social and emotional services.

New Florida Standards – National standards designed to ensure all students, regardless of demography, graduate high school prepared to enter college or the workforce.

Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) – A set of standards approved by the State of Florida to provide expectations forstudent achievement in Florida. These standards indicate the grade level content that students should master

PERT (Postsecondary Education Readiness Test) – A computer adaptive placement test used to determine a student’s level of preparedness for college level coursework.

Portfolio – The student portfolio contains a systematic collection of evidence used by a teacher or home school parent to monitor the student’s academic growth over a period of time.

Pre-Kindergarten – Pre-kindergarten classes for four-year-olds who meet the educational need criteria of selection in highest need schools.

Progress Monitoring Plan (PMP) – A school-wide or individualized student plan to target instruction and to identify methods to assist the student or school in meeting state and district expectations for proficiency. Students with an IEP, ELL Plan or 504 Plan which addresses deficits in reading, writing, science, and/or mathematics meet the requirements of a progress monitoring plan for a documented deficit.

Regular Standards – Grade-level standards aligned with the Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (BEST). in DCPS courses. For students in Exceptional Student Education, the IEP team determines if the student will follow regular standards.

Renaissance Star - A diagnostic assessment that identifies student needs to the sub-skill level, provided individualized instruction, and measures growth.

Safety Net Programs – Designed at each school to assist students in grade recovery before, during, and after the school day.

SALA – Bureau of Student Achievement through Language Acquisition – Provides assistance to schools and districts with Florida’s English Language Learners (ELLs).

SAT/10 – A standardized, norm-referenced test that assesses reading, math and language.

Section 504 Plan (§504) – Pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 794 (Section 504), a Section 504 Plan is a formal plan developed to ensure that a child with a disability attending an elementary or secondary educational institution has access to the learning environment and receives accommodations, aids or services to meet his/her individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of non-disabled students are met.

SRI (Scholastic Reading Inventory) – Used to determine Lexile levels.

State End of Course Exam (EOC) – Beginning in 2010-2011 students taking certain high school courses will be required to take a state EOC which will be 30% of their final grade depending on the student’s 9th grade entry year.

Summer Educational Programs(SEP) – A variety of educational offerings are provided during the summer to students enrolled in the Duval County Public Schools. These offerings may include a Summer Credit Recovery Program, an Elementary Reading Recovery Program, and a Summer Technology Program for enrichment.

Third Grade Reading Recovery Program – A summer program required for 3rd grade students who score a Level 1 on the state required Reading assessment. The program gives students an opportunity to demonstrate proficiency through alternative assessments or student portfolio.

Transition Plan – As a part of an Individual Education Plan (IEP), a transition plan that prepares a student with disabilities for further education, employment, and independent living as he/she transitions from school to adult life. It includes postsecondary goals, transition services with goals and objectives, as well as agency linkages and responsibilities. This plan is developed by an IEP team composed of educators, therapists, parents, the student, and/or agency representatives at least annually starting at age 14 (or at eighth grade, whichever comes first) and continuing as long as the student is enrolled or reaches age 21.

WIDA-ACCESS Placement Test (W-APT)-State approved listening and speaking oral proficiency test for students in kindergarten. This assessment is only used in initial placement.

WIDA Screener – This state test is administered to assess the speaking, listening, reading and writing skills of a student in grades 1-12 who answers “yes” to any question on the Home Language Survey (HLS) and to determine placement in the ESOL program.