Glossary of Education Terms

Alternative Schools/Area Learning Centers

These are public school programs that serve students who are at risk of educational failure, as indicated by poor grades, truancy, disruptive behavior, suspension, pregnancy, or similar factors associated with early withdrawal from school. Some models include school within a school, pullout and stand-alone sites.

AP-Advanced Placement

Advanced Placement designates college level courses offered at the high school level that may count towards college credits or offer the opportunity for advanced standing.

Average Class Size

The number of students in classes divided by the number of classes. Average class size is generally larger than pupil-teacher ratio because some teachers, such as specialists, have assignments outside the regular classroom.

Charter Schools

Charter Schools are independent public schools, started and operated by teachers, parents, or community members. They are privately managed and publicly funded schools usually committed to a certain focus or style of teaching/learning.

ELL

English Language Learners are classes added to the
curriculum for students that do not have English as a first language.

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE)

Programs within the schools that offer supplemental, differentiated, challenging curriculum and instruction for students identified as being intellectually gifted or talented.

Homeschool

Minnesota Statute authorizes home schooling (providing K-12 education at home) as an option that parents and families can choose for their children. For more information see the Minnesota Homeschooler’s Alliance web site:  www.homeschoolers.org or call 612-288-9662.

IB Program

The International Baccalaureate is an academically rigorous program based on proscribed international standards. The program is offered at some private and public schools, elementary through high school. A high school IB diploma, based on a standardized examination, may be accepted for college credits.

Individualized Education Program (IEP)

Students with special needs have a legal right to an IEP plan written by a multidisciplinary team, generally made up of a special education teacher, classroom teacher, principal, a psychologist, and the child’s parents or guardians. The plan is tailored to create the most conducive learning environment for the student’s needs and outlines goals to be met.

Inclusion

The practice of educating all children in the same classroom, including children with physical, mental, and developmental disabilities. Also known as mainstreaming.

K4

Kindergarten for children who are four years old.

Looping

Students and teachers remain together for two, and sometimes three years in a row.

Magnet/Citywide Option Schools

These public schools offer a particular program focus, such as art or language immersion in addition to the basic subjects. They are open to students from across the district. Transportation is usually provided for students living more than a mile from school.

Montessori

Montessori is an educational model that emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching, or reading. Children learn at their own, individual pace and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities with the guidance of a trained teacher.

National Blue Ribbon Award

This award honors public and private K–12 schools that are academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement.

Open Enrollment

This statewide policy allows students living in one district to attend school in another district. Space availability is a limiting factor. District residents generally receive preference for admission and some districts do not accept open enrollment.

Open School

Refers to an educational style that emphasizes non-competitive learning, hands-on experiences and narrative evaluations as opposed to grades.

Often characterized by open classrooms, team teaching, and options that allow students to choose topics of learning.

Preschool vs. Daycare (or Child Care)

Daycare programs are designed to meet the needs of working parents, providing as many as 10 hours per day. Preschool programs emphasize their educational aspects and may have shorter sessions - 2-3 hours per day, for 2 or 3 days a week.

Post Secondary Enrollment Option

Minnesota law allows all qualifying high school juniors and seniors to take courses at eligible post-secondary institutions at no cost. They earn high school credits and some colleges may transfer their completed coursework as college credits.

Waldorf

This curriculum is designed to meet and complement the various stages of child development. PreK and kindergarten children learn primarily through imitation and imagination in order to develop a sense of wonder and reverence for all living things. This creates an eagerness for the academics that follow in the grades.

Year-Round Schooling

Replaces the conventional school year with a continuous school year with breaks at other times, such as 45-15, where school is held in four 45-day sessions separated by breaks of approximately 15 days each.