504 Plan: A law known as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 offers students with disabilities both services and accommodations that are necessary for the student to participate fully in the life of the school. To receive services under Section 504 a student must have a mental or physical impairment, that substantially impairs a major life activity, and requires special accommodations
BSEA: Bureau of Special Education Appeals
CFR: Code of Federal Regulations
CMR: Code of Massachusetts Regulations
DESE: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act): The federal special education law, passed in 1990, that ensures students with a disability are provided with an education that is tailored to their individual needs.
FAPE (Free and Appropriate Public Education): The IDEA mandates that every child whose disability affects their school progress receives an appropriate public education at no expense to the family.
FBA: Functional Behavioral Assessment
IEE: Independent Educational Evaluation
IEP (Individualized Education Program): An IEP is a document that is developed for each public school child who needs special education and defines the individualized objectives of a child who has been determined to have a disability or requires specialized accommodation, as defined by federal regulations.
LRE (Least Restrictive Environment): The IDEA mandates that students with disabilities must be educated with their non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate based on the student’s needs.
PQA: Program Quality Assurance Services
SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council): Chapter 71B of Massachusetts special education law requires a school district to establish a PAC (Parent Advisory Council) with both an advisory and a participatory function for the school district and school committee.
