Education Glossary
Comprehensive definitions of school types, education terms, and academic concepts
104 terms and growing
A
A-Levels (Advanced Level)
Advanced academic qualifications taken by students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, typically at ages 16-18.
Uk EducationAcademy (Academy School)
A state-funded school in England that operates independently of local authority control.
Uk EducationAcademy School
A state-funded school in England that is independent of local authority control, often part of a multi-academy trust.
Uk EducationAccommodations
Changes in how students access and demonstrate learning without altering what is being taught or expected standards.
Special EducationACT (American College Testing)
A standardized college admissions test measuring English, math, reading, and science reasoning, with an optional writing section.
TestingAdmissions Interview
A conversation between applicants/families and school representatives as part of the private school application process.
AdmissionsAdvanced Placement (AP)
College-level courses and exams offered in high school that can earn students college credit.
CurriculumAlternative School
A school offering non-traditional approaches to education, often serving students who have not thrived in conventional settings.
School TypesAssistive Technology (AT)
Equipment or systems that help students with disabilities access curriculum, communicate, or complete tasks they could not otherwise do.
Special EducationAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
A developmental disability affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior, qualifying students for special education services.
Special EducationB
Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP)
A plan developed for students whose behavior impedes learning, outlining strategies to address challenging behaviors positively.
Special EducationBenchmark Assessment (Interim Assessment)
Periodic assessments administered throughout the year to measure student progress toward learning standards.
TestingBilingual Education
Educational programs that use two languages for instruction, developing proficiency in both languages.
InternationalBlended Learning
An educational approach combining traditional classroom instruction with online digital media and activities.
Teaching LearningBoarding School (Residential School)
A residential school where students live on campus in dormitories during the academic year, receiving education, meals, housing, and extracurricular activities in an immersive learning community.
School TypesBTEC (Business and Technology Education Council)
Vocational qualifications offered in the UK as alternatives to traditional academic qualifications like GCSEs and A-Levels.
Uk EducationC
Catchment Area (Attendance Zone)
The geographic boundary determining which public school students are assigned to attend based on their residence.
AdmissionsCharter School
A publicly funded school that operates independently of the traditional public school system under a charter or contract with the state.
School TypesChild Find
The legal requirement for schools to identify, locate, and evaluate all children with disabilities who may need special education services.
Special EducationCommon Application (Common App)
A single college application accepted by over 1,000 schools, allowing students to apply to multiple colleges efficiently.
College PrepCommon Core State Standards (Common Core)
A set of academic standards in mathematics and English language arts adopted by most US states.
CurriculumD
Day School
A school where students attend during daytime hours and return home each evening, as opposed to a boarding school.
School TypesDemonstrated Interest
Ways students show genuine interest in a college, which some schools consider in admissions decisions.
College PrepDiagnostic Assessment
Assessment designed to identify specific learning gaps, strengths, and needs to guide targeted instruction.
TestingDifferentiated Instruction
Teaching that adapts content, process, or product based on student readiness, interests, and learning profiles.
CurriculumDual Enrollment
A program allowing high school students to take college courses for both high school and college credit simultaneously.
CurriculumDyslexia
A specific learning disability affecting reading, characterized by difficulties with word recognition, spelling, and decoding.
Special EducationE
Early Action (EA)
A non-binding early application option that allows students to receive decisions earlier without commitment to attend.
College PrepEarly Decision (ED)
A binding college application option where students commit to attending if accepted, with applications typically due in early November.
College PrepElementary School (Primary School)
The first stage of formal education, typically covering kindergarten through 5th or 6th grade for children aged 5-11.
Grade LevelsESL (English as a Second Language)
Programs and instruction designed for students learning English as an additional language.
InternationalExtended School Year (ESY)
Special education services provided beyond the normal school year to prevent significant regression in critical skills.
Special EducationF
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
The form students complete to apply for federal financial aid for college, including grants, loans, and work-study.
College PrepFAPE (Free Appropriate Public Education)
The legal right of students with disabilities to receive a free, appropriate public education tailored to their individual needs.
Special EducationFinancial Aid
Money to help pay for college, including grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs based on need or merit.
College PrepFlipped Classroom
A teaching model where students learn content at home through videos, then apply learning in class with teacher support.
Teaching LearningFormative Assessment
Ongoing assessment during instruction to monitor learning and provide feedback that guides teaching adjustments.
TestingFree School
A type of academy in England set up by groups such as parents, teachers, charities, or businesses in response to local demand.
Uk EducationFunctional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
A systematic process to understand why a student engages in challenging behavior by identifying triggers and maintaining factors.
Special EducationG
Gap Year
A year taken off between high school and college for travel, work, volunteering, or personal development.
College PrepGCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education)
Academic qualifications taken by students in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, typically at age 16.
Uk EducationGifted and Talented (GT)
Programs serving students with exceptional abilities who need differentiated instruction beyond the standard curriculum.
Special EducationGrade Point Average (GPA)
A numerical measure of academic performance calculated by averaging grades across courses.
TestingGrammar School
A state secondary school in the UK that selects students based on academic ability, typically through the 11-plus exam.
Uk EducationH
High School (Secondary School)
The final stage of compulsory education in the US, typically grades 9-12 for students aged 14-18, preparing them for college or careers.
Grade LevelsHomeschool (Home Education)
An educational approach where parents teach their children at home rather than sending them to public or private school.
School TypesI
IGCSE (International GCSE)
International qualifications for 14-16 year-olds, adapted from UK GCSEs for international schools worldwide.
InternationalInclusion Classroom (Mainstream)
A general education classroom where students with and without disabilities learn together with appropriate supports.
Special EducationIndividualized Education Program (IEP)
A legally binding document outlining specialized instruction and services for a student with disabilities under IDEA.
Special EducationIndividuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Federal law ensuring students with disabilities receive free appropriate public education through special education services.
Special EducationInternational Baccalaureate (IB)
A globally recognized educational framework offering rigorous programs for students ages 3-19.
InternationalInternational Baccalaureate School (IB School)
A school authorized to offer International Baccalaureate programs, known for rigorous academics and international-mindedness.
School TypesInternational School
A school offering an international curriculum, often serving expatriate families and local students seeking global education.
InternationalK
K-12 Education
The complete span of primary and secondary education in the US, from kindergarten through 12th grade.
Grade LevelsKey Stage 2 (KS2)
The second stage of the English National Curriculum covering Years 3-6 (ages 7-11) in primary school.
Uk EducationKindergarten
The first year of formal schooling in the US, typically for children aged 5-6, bridging early childhood education and elementary school.
Grade LevelsL
Laboratory School (Lab School)
A school affiliated with a university that serves as a site for educational research, teacher training, and innovative practices.
School TypesLearning Disability (LD)
A neurological condition affecting how the brain processes information, impacting skills like reading, writing, or math.
Special EducationLearning Management System (LMS)
A software platform for creating, delivering, and managing educational content and tracking student progress.
Teaching LearningLearning Standards (Academic Standards)
Statements describing what students should know and be able to do at each grade level or after each course.
CurriculumLottery System (School Lottery)
A random selection process used by oversubscribed schools to fairly determine which applicants receive admission.
AdmissionsLRE (Least Restrictive Environment)
The IDEA requirement that students with disabilities be educated with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate.
Special EducationM
Magnet School
A public school offering specialized curriculum focused on specific areas like STEM, arts, or languages to attract students from across district boundaries.
School TypesMiddle School (Junior High)
A school serving students in the transitional years between elementary and high school, typically grades 6-8 for ages 11-14.
Grade LevelsMontessori School
A school following the Montessori method, emphasizing child-led learning, mixed-age classrooms, and hands-on educational materials.
School TypesO
P
Paraprofessional (Paraeducator)
A school employee who works under teacher supervision to provide instructional and support services to students.
Special EducationParochial School (Parish School)
A private school affiliated with a religious parish or church, typically Catholic, providing education with religious instruction.
School TypesPercentile Rank (Percentile)
A score indicating the percentage of test-takers who scored at or below a particular score, used to compare performance.
TestingPre-Kindergarten (Pre-K)
An early childhood education program for children typically aged 3-5, preparing them for kindergarten through play-based learning.
Grade LevelsPreparatory School (Prep School)
A private secondary school designed to prepare students for college or university admission, often with rigorous academics.
School TypesPrivate School
An independent school funded primarily through tuition, endowments, and donations rather than government funding.
School TypesProject-Based Learning (PBL)
An instructional approach where students learn by engaging in real-world projects that require critical thinking and collaboration.
CurriculumPSAT (Preliminary SAT)
A practice test for the SAT, also used as the qualifying test for National Merit Scholarship recognition.
TestingPTA (Parent-Teacher Association)
A national organization of local groups that bring parents and teachers together to support education.
School OperationsPublic School
A government-funded school that provides free education to all students within its designated attendance zone.
School TypesPupil Premium
Additional funding given to schools in England to help disadvantaged pupils achieve their full potential.
Uk EducationR
Regular Decision
The standard college application timeline where applications are typically due in January with decisions in late March or April.
College PrepRelated Services
Support services required for a student with a disability to benefit from special education, such as speech therapy or counseling.
Special EducationS
SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)
A standardized college admissions test measuring reading, writing, and math skills used by US colleges and universities.
TestingSATs (Standard Assessment Tests)
National tests taken by pupils in England at the end of Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 to assess progress in core subjects.
Uk EducationSchool Accreditation
A formal recognition that a school meets established standards of quality and continuous improvement.
School OperationsSchool Choice
Policies allowing families to select schools other than their assigned neighborhood public school.
AdmissionsSchool Counselor (Guidance Counselor)
A school professional who supports student academic achievement, social-emotional development, and college/career readiness.
Safety WellbeingSchool District
A local government unit responsible for administering public schools within a defined geographic area.
School OperationsSchool Safety
Measures and practices ensuring physical and emotional safety in school environments for students and staff.
Safety WellbeingSchool Tour (School Visit)
An opportunity for prospective families to visit a school, observe classrooms, and learn about programs before applying.
AdmissionsScope and Sequence
A document outlining the breadth of content covered and the order in which skills and concepts are taught.
CurriculumSixth Form (Sixth Form College)
The final two years of secondary education in the UK (Years 12-13) when students typically study A-Levels or equivalent qualifications.
Uk EducationSocial-Emotional Learning (SEL)
The process of developing skills for self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationships, and responsible decisions.
Safety WellbeingSpecific Learning Disability (SLD)
A disorder affecting one or more basic learning processes, such as reading (dyslexia), writing (dysgraphia), or math (dyscalculia).
Special EducationStandardized Testing
Tests administered and scored in a consistent manner across all test-takers to allow fair comparison of results.
TestingState Assessment (State Test)
Standardized tests required by states to measure student achievement and hold schools accountable under federal law.
TestingSTEM Education
An interdisciplinary approach integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in applied, real-world contexts.
CurriculumSTEM School
A school with curriculum emphasizing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics through integrated, hands-on learning.
School TypesSummative Assessment
Evaluation at the end of instruction to measure achievement and determine whether learning objectives were met.
TestingT
Teacher Certification
The credential that allows an individual to teach in public schools, typically requiring education, testing, and background checks.
School OperationsTitle I School
A school receiving federal funding under Title I to support educational programs for students from low-income families.
School OperationsTransition Services (Transition Planning)
Coordinated activities preparing students with disabilities for life after high school, including employment, education, and independent living.
Special EducationTuition
The fee charged by educational institutions for instruction and access to facilities.
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