Glossary of Terms

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A

Academic achievement

Generally refers to a child’s performance in academic areas (e.g., reading or language arts, math, science, and history)

ACCESS

Adult centered community education and support services

ACT

American College Test. An assessment taken by students as a precursor to college/university admission

activity sponsor

includes the coach or teacher who is the district employee responsible for the district-sponsored activity (including student clubs and organizations), extracurricular activity or co-curricular activity

AD

Activities Director

ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act

ADM

Average daily membership. The number of days a student is in membership at a school divided by the number of days in a school month or school year.

Administrative procedural directive

The specific actions Albuquerque Public Schools administration will take to implement a Board of Education policy in day-to-day operations of and instruction in the district.

ADS

Accountability Data Systems Office

AED

automated external defibrillator. a portable device designed to induce electrical stimulation to the heart muscle in the event of potential cardiac arrest. The AED is capable of recognizing cardiac arrest that will respond to defibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, rapid ventricular tachycardia, and is capable of determining whether defibrillation should be performed. Once determined, the AED automatically charges and delivers an electrical impulse to the victim’s heart.  The AED is not used to monitor heart rhythm

AFT

American Federation of Teachers

AI

American Indian

AIC

Albuquerque Indian Center

AIMS

Albuquerque Public Schools Instructional Management System. The data system used to manage standardized testing. Web-based application that holds curriculum, teaching resources and helps principals and teacher analyze student performance data associated with standards.

AIP

Academic improvement plan

Allocated funds

Include, but are not limited to, funds for purchases when the funds originate from the operational budget, athletic funds, activity funds, booster clubs, Parent/Teacher Associations, gifts, fundraisers and/or donations.

AN

Alaskan Native

annual/personal leave donor

the employee who is not a member of or protected by a negotiated agreement who has written authorization to transfer a specific number of annual/personal leave days to another employee who is not a member of or protected by a negotiated agreement who has been approved to receive such annual leave

anything of value

for purposes of conflict of interest means any money, property, service, loan or promise, but does not include food and refreshments with a value of less than one hundred dollars ($100) consumed in a day

AP

advanced placement. A program that enables high school students to complete college-level courses for college placement and/or credit.

APE

adapted physical education

APS

Albuquerque Public Schools

assistive technology device

any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially off the shelf, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability. The term does not include a medical device that is surgically implanted, or the replacement of such device. (34 C.F.R. § 300.5)

assistive technology service

any service that directly assists a child with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device. (34 C.F.R. § 300.6)

ATOD

alcohol, tobacco and other drugs

attendance

students who are in class or in a school-approved activity. If a student is in attendance up to one half the total instructional time during a school day, the student will be counted as having attended one-half of a school day. If the student attends school for more than one-half of the total instructional time, the student will be counted as having attended for the full day.

AU

audiology

audit

the formal examination of an individual’s or department’s accounting records, financial situation or compliance with some other set of standards

AVID

Advancement via Individual Determination

AYP

adequate yearly progress. All public schools must measure and report AYP as outlined in the federal No Child Left Behind law. AYP measures the yearly progress of different groups of students at the school, district and state levels against yearly targets in reading and mathematics. Target goals are set for attendance and graduation rates as well. If a school misses one target, it does not make AYP.

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B

BIP

behavioral intervention plan

Board procedural directive

The specific actions the Board of Education will take to manage and execute board governance and duties.

BOE

Board of Education

bullying

a way of using power aggressively in which a person is subjected to intentional, unwanted and unprovoked hurtful verbal and/or physical actions. Bullying results in the victim feeling oppressed, fearful, distressed, injured, or uncomfortable. The aggression is repeated on more than one occasion and can include physical, verbal, emotional, racial, sexual, written, electronic, damage to property, social exclusion, and intimidation. Bullying may be motivated by actual or perceived characteristics such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or identity, mental, physical or academic disability. Bullying often takes place in a social context. Cyberbullying is a form of bullying.

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C

C&I

Curriculum and Instruction. Department responsible for the development of curriculum, selection of instructional materials and provision of teacher professional development

CA

(1) chronological age; or (2) curriculum assistant principal. Assigned to each high school; develops schedules and addresses the development of the curricular program at the high school

CAO

chief academic officer

Capital project

A building project.

Capitalize

To delay the recognition of expenses by recording the expense as a long term asset. The assets are then reported on the year-end balance sheet.

Cash balance

The total of the beginning balance of a specific fund plus revenue minus expenditures of that same specific fund.

CAT

community action team

catastrophic illness or injury

an illness or injury which results in the employee or the employee’s immediate family member requiring a level of care and treatment beyond what he or she could provide without assistance

CBI

community based instruction

CCAC

Community Capital Advisory Committee

CELSA

Center of Extended Learning for Student Advancement

CESS

community education support services

CFIP

Classroom Focused Improvement Process

CGCS

Council of the Great City Schools. Member organization representing the largest 100 school districts in the country

Charter school

An existing public school within a school district that was authorized by a local school board to become a charter school prior to July 1, 2007 or a public school developed by one or more parents, teachers or community members authorized by the chartering authority to become a charter school.

CMP

(1) Capital Master Plan; or (2) connected math program. Math program used in most district middle schools

Co-curricular activity

An activity which is sanctioned by the New Mexico Activities Association which often requires an elective course in which a student receives a grade but that course is not required for graduation by state statute or regulation nor is it included in the New Mexico Standards for Excellence (examples include band, orchestra, student senate and DECA).

Communicable diseases

Diseases which can be transmitted from person to person and include, but are not limited to, vaccine-preventable diseases and other communicable and chronic communicable diseases as defined in the New Mexico School Health Manual

complaint assistance IEP (CAIEP) meeting

an IEP meeting that is facilitated by the representative of the public agency who directs special education programs within the public agency, and who has decision-making authority on behalf of such agency. (6.31.2.7(C)(1) NMAC)

Consent

• The parent has been fully informed in the parent’s native language or other mode of communication (such as sign language, Braille, or oral communication) of all information about the action for which the parent is giving consent;
• The parent understands and agrees in writing to that action, and the consent describes that action and lists the records (if any) that will be released and to whom; and
• The parent understands that the consent is voluntary on the parent’s part and that the parent may withdraw (revoke) his or her consent at any time.

consent (for purposes of special education):

• The parent has been fully informed of all information relevant to the activity for which consent is sought, in his or her native language, or other mode of communication;
• The parent understands and agrees in writing to the carrying out of the activity for which his or her consent is sought, and the consent describes that activity and lists the records (if any) that will be released and to whom; and
• The parent understands that the granting of consent is voluntary on the part of the parent and may be revoked at any time.
• If a parent revokes consent, that revocation is not retroactive (i.e., it does not negate an action that has occurred after the consent was given and before the consent was revoked).
• If the parent revokes consent in writing for their child’s receipt of special education services after the child is initially provided special education and related services, the public agency is not required to amend the child’s education records to remove any references to the child’s receipt of special education and related services because of the revocation of consent. (34 C.F.R. § 300.9)

Competitive food

A food or beverage sold at school other than one served as part of the United States Department of Agriculture school meal program. The term includes any item sold in vending machines, a la carte or through other school fundraising efforts.

contract

(1) a biding negotiated legal document between Albuquerque Public Schools and another entity; (2) the binding negotiated legal document between the governing body of the charter school and the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education - also referred to as a “charter” (3) For purposes of conflict of interest means an agreement or transaction having the value of more than one thousand dollars ($1000) with Albuquerque Public Schools for:

• The rendition of services, including professional services
• The furnishing of any material, supplies or equipment
• The construction, alteration or repair of any public building or public work
• The acquisition, sale or lease of any land or building
• A licensing agreement
• A loan or loan guarantee
• The purchase of financial securities or instruments

controlled substance

(1) a drug or chemical substance whose possession and use are controlled by law; or, (2) a drug or other substance identified under schedules I, II, III, IV, or V in section 202(c) of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 812(c)). (34 C.F.R. § 300.530(i)(1))

Core-curricular

Courses and activities that are required for graduation by state statute and regulation and are included in the New Mexico Standards for Excellence (examples include biology, algebra, New Mexico history and English).

Corporal punishment

Any disciplinary action taken by school personnel with the intention of producing physical pain.

cyberbullying

electronic communication that:

• Targets a specific student;
• Is published with the intention that the communication be seen or disclosed to the targeted student;
• Is in fact seen or disclosed to the targeted student; and
• Creates or is certain to create a hostile environment on the school campus that is so severe or pervasive as to substantially interfere with the targeted student’s educational benefits, opportunities of performance.

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D

DBA

district benchmark assessment. A short-cycle assessment. Three times-a-year assessments developed by teachers within the district to measure student progress on the grade level standards

Destruction

Physical destruction or removal of personal identifiers from information so that the information is no longer personally identifiable.

destruction of information

physical destruction or removal of personal identifiers from information so that the information is no longer personally identifiable. (34 C.F.R. § 300.611(a))

developmentally delayed (DD)

means a child aged three (3) through nine (9) or who will turn three (3) at any time during the school year with documented delays in development which are at least two standard deviations below the mean on a standardized test instrument or thirty per cent (30%) below chronological age; and who in the professional judgment of the IEP team and one or more qualified evaluators needs special education and related services in at least one of the following five areas communication development, cognitive development, physical development, social or emotional development or adaptive development (6.31.2.7.(B)(4) NMAC)

DIAC

District Imaging and Archive Center

Direct legislative appropriation

Set amount of money earmarked for specific projects within Albuquerque Public Schools. These appropriations are sponsored by a specific New Mexico State legislator.

Directory information

Names, addresses and telephone numbers.

District

Albuquerque Public Schools.

District purchases and expenditures

Includes, but is not limited to, instructional material, construction, property acquisition, technology, services and contracts.

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E

DRA

developmental reading assessment. Reading assessment used for all first and second graders in the district and for kindergarten students engaged in conventional reading.

dual discrepancy

the child does not achieve adequately for the child's age or to meet grade-level standards established in Standards for Excellence (Chapter 29 of Title 6 of the NMAC); and

• does not make sufficient progress to meet age or grade-level standards; or
• exhibits a pattern of strengths and weaknesses in performance, achievement, or both, relative to age, grade level standards or intellectual development. (6.31.2.7(B)(5) NMAC)

EA

educational assistant

EAP

employee assistance program

EASPA

Educational Administrator and Support Personnel Association

ED

emotionally disturbed

EDM

EveryDay Math. Math program used in most district elementary schools

EDT

Eligibility Determination Team (formerly Multidisciplinary Team) which consists of a group of qualified professionals and the parents of the child. Following the completion of an initial evaluation or reevaluation, the EDT determines whether the child is a child with a disability and the educational needs of the child. (34 C.F.R. § 300.306(a)(1))

educational records

Records that directly relate to a student and that are maintained by an educational agency or institution or by a party acting for the agency or institution. (about FERPA)

ELA

English Language Arts. Typically used to refer to the English/literature/language course in secondary school

ELD

English language development

ELL

English language learner. Student whose first language is one other than English and who is learning English as a second language.

Employment

means rendering of services for compensation in the form of salary as an employee

ENLACE

Engaging Latino Communities for Education

EPSS

Educational Plan for Student Success.

ES

evaluation specialist

ESL

English as a second language. A program model that delivers specialized instruction to students who are learning English as a new language. May also be used to refer to a student who is learning English as a second language.

ESSCP

Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program (a grant funded through the US Department of Education)

ESY

extended school year

extended school year services (for purposes of special education)

special education and related services that meet the standards of the state and are provided to a child with a disability:

• Beyond the normal school year of the public agency;
• In accordance with the child’s IEP; and
• At no cost to the parents of the child. (34 C.F.R. § 300.106(b))

Expulsion

A disciplinary exclusion (suspension) from the school district that is greater than one (1) semester in length. It may be longer or even permanent.

Extracurricular activity

An activity for which a student does not receive a grade but which is sanctioned by the New Mexico Activities Association and therefore the student is subject to rules imposed by the New Mexico Activities Association during participation (examples include track and field, football, speech and debate and cheerleading).

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F

facilitated IEP (FIEP) meeting

an IEP meeting that utilizes an independent, state-approved, state-funded, trained facilitator as an IEP facilitator to assist the IEP team to communicate openly and effectively, in order to resolve conflicts related to a student's IEP. (6.31.2.7(C)(2) NMAC)

FAFSA

free application for federal student aid

Fair hearing official

A person who is not involved in the original eligibility determination under appeal or any previous conference.

family member: 

Family Member as defined by the Department of Labor. Spouse, Child, Parent. Family Member as defined by the negotiated agreements: a person who is a spouse, domestic partner, father, father-in-law, mother, mother-in-law, son, son-in-law, daughter, daughter-in-law, ward, brother, brother-in-law, sister or sister-in-law, grandparent, grandchild, aunt or uncle of the Albuquerque Public Schools employee. Family members shall also include any individual residing in the employee’s household for purposes of nepotism.

FAPE

Free Appropriate Public Education.

FAST

Families and Schools Together

FBA

functional behavioral assessment

FEP

fluent English proficient

FERPA

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

financial interest

(1) any percentage of ownership in a firm; is an employee, officer, director, trustee, or paid consultant to a firm; has received any support of money, services, or royalties from a firm; any other relationship that may influence a purchase or purchasing decision; (2) an ownership interest in a business or any employment or prospective employment for which negotiations have already begun

Firearm

Any weapon which will propel a projectile by the action of an explosive as defined from 18 U. S. C. 92

Fixed asset

Includes:

• Fixed assets are items of personal (moveable) property with an estimated useful life of more than one year. Fixed assets include furniture, fixtures, equipment, computers, vehicles, and similar items of personal property.
• A fixed asset retains its original shape or appearance with use, and is not consumed in operation.
• A fixed asset does not lose its identity through incorporation into a different or more complex unit.
• A fixed asset is considered non-expendable. If it is damaged, or parts are lost or worn out, it is more feasible to repair the item rather than replace it with an entirely new unit.
• A fixed asset represents a significant investment of money, which makes it more feasible and advisable to capitalize the item. Capitalization is the process of tagging property, accounting for it in inventory, and charging the expenditure to a capital outlay budget category.

FRPL

free and reduced priced lunch. Children qualify, based upon parent/legal guardian status, to receive free or reduced priced lunch and/or breakfast through a federal government program

FTE

full-time equivalent

functional performance

refers to skills or activities that are not considered academic or related to a child’s academic achievement. Functional is often used in the context of routine activities of everyday living. The range of functional is as varied as the individual needs of children with disabilities. (71 Fed. Reg. 46661 (August 14, 2006))

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G

GE

grade equivalent

GED

(1) general education development; or (2) General Equivalency Diploma

Governing body of the charter school

Means the governing structure of a charter school as set forth in the school's charter.

Government Affairs team

The Albuquerque Public Schools lead lobbyist, policy analyst, executive director of Board Services and the district’s attorney.

G.O. bonds

general obligation bonds

GRE

Graduate Record Examination

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H

habitual truant

a student who has accumulated the equivalent of ten (10) or more unexcused absences within a school year.

hard to fill position

A position that requires specific or unique endorsements, certificates, qualifications, or No Child Left Behind requirements that are held by a limited number of candidates.

hazing

Harassment by exacting unnecessary, disagreeable, or degrading tasks or activities which may result in harm or bodily injury to an individual; or for the purpose of initiation, to play abusive and humiliating tricks on an individual

HI

hearing impaired

homeless children

Defined in compliance with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (section 725) meaning individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes:

1. children and youths who are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason; are living in motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camping grounds due to the lack of alternative adequate accommodations; are living in emergency or transitional shelters; are abandoned in hospitals; or are awaiting foster care placement;
2. children and youths who have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings (within the meaning of section 103(a)(2)(C));
3. children and youths who are living in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings; and
4. migratory children (as such term is defined in section 1309 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965) who qualify as homeless for the purposes of this subtitle because the children are living in circumstances described in clauses (i) through (iii).

HQT

highly qualified teacher

HSL

home school liaison

HVAC

heating ventilation and air conditioning

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I

I&A

Instruction and Accountability. Division consisting of five departments and three functional units focused on instructional issues in the district

IC

(1) instructional coach; or (2) instructional council

IDEA

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

IED

Indian Education Department. Department responsible for support to Native students throughout the district directly and indirectly through tutoring, after school programs and through the support to school staff and professional development for instructional coaches

IEP

Individual Education Program.

IFSP

Individual Family Services Plan.

immediate family member

spouse, domestic partner, child, step-child, brother, step-brother, sister, step-sister, mother or father

illegal drug

a controlled substance, but does not include a controlled substance that is legally possessed or used under the supervision of a licensed health-care professional or that is legally possessed or used under any other authority under that Act or under any other provision of federal law (34 C.F.R. § 300.530(i)(2))

indemnification

That action of compensating for loss or damage sustained

independent educational evaluation

an evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by Albuquerque Public Schools

initial evaluation

the first complete assessment of a child to determine if the child has a disability under the Act, and the nature and extent of special education and related services required. (34 C.F.R. § 300.301) Once a child has been fully evaluated, a decision has been rendered that the child is eligible for services under the Act, and the required services have been determined; any subsequent evaluation of the child, for purposes of this procedural directive, would constitute a “reevaluation.” (71 Fed. Reg. 46640 (August 14, 2006))

inquiry

(for purposes of whistleblower complaints) a search for knowledge and understanding about a matter

instructional day

The period of time between the scheduled first bell and the scheduled last bell of the school day and any other time in which instruction occurs

investigation

a formal, systematic, detailed examination into a matter

IPC

Indian parent committee. Parent committee that approves Indian Education grants such as Title VII and Josh O’Malley Program (JOM)

ISP

intensive support program

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J

JOM

Josh O’Malley Program. Federal grant to address educationally related needs of Native American students

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K

KANW

call letters for the Albuquerque Public Schools radio station, 89.1 FM

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L

LAN

local area network

LCE

Language and Cultural Equity. Department responsible for developing alternative language services for English language learners, for compliance and for ensuring instruction that meets the cultural diversity of the district

LEA

local education agency

LEP

limited English proficient

Locally authorized charter school

A charter school whose charter is approved by the Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education.

Long-term suspension

The removal of a student from school and all school-related activities for more than ten (10) days, the remainder of the semester or longer as determined by the hearing officer in cases which are near the end of a given semester

LRE

least restrictive environment

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M

MA

mental age

MDT

multidisciplinary team

measurable post-secondary goals (for purposes of special education)

refer to goals the child seeks to achieve after high school graduation. The goals themselves must be measurable while the child is still in high school. In addition, the nature of these goals will be different depending on the needs, abilities, and wishes of each individual child. (6.31.2.11(G) (4) NMAC)

mediation (for purposes of special education)

a meeting or series of meetings that utilizes an independent, state-approved, state-funded, trained mediator to assist parties to reconcile disputed matters related to a student's IEP or other educational, non-IEP-related issues. (6.31.2.7(C)(3) NMAC)

Medication

Any substance that is ingested, injected, inhaled or used topically in the diagnosis, treatment and/or the prevention of disease. This includes prescription drugs, over-the-counter and non-prescription drugs. Health care providers who are licensed by the state of New Mexico to prescribe drugs will authorize medications. Medication authorizations are acceptable, for example, from licensed medical doctors (MDs), nurse practitioners (NPs), osteopathic physicians (DOs), doctors of oriental medicine (DOMs), physician assistants (PAs) and certified diabetes educators affiliated with medical doctor, as well as clinical nurse specialists or psychologists who have completed the pharmacology course requirements to obtain prescriptive privileges. Some prescriptive privileges are limited to a specific area of practice for example; a doctor of oriental medicine is only authorized to write prescriptive orders for oriental medicine herbs

Members of the school community

Students, employees, parents/legal guardians, school partners and visitors

MOU

memorandum of understanding. Agreements between groups or entities within the district or with community agencies

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N

NACA

Native American Community Academy (located at Wilson Middle School)

NAEA

National Art Education Association

NAEP

National Assessment of Educational Progress. National assessment administered to a sample of students in grades four, eight and sometimes twelve. Data are provided only at the state level.

NBCT

Nationally Board Certified teachers

NCLB

No Child Left Behind.

NCSS

National Council for the Social Studies

NCTE

National Council of Teachers of English

NCTM

National Council of Teachers of mathematics

NEA

National Education Association

NEP

non-English proficient

Nepotism

An Albuquerque Public Schools supervisor hiring any of his/her family members.

NGA

National Governors Association Center for Best Practices

NMAPA

New Mexico Alternate Performance Assessment. A state provided alternative assessment for students with severe cognitive impairment; provided as an alternative to the standards based assessment

NMELPA

New Mexico English Language Proficiency Assessment

NMHSCE

New Mexico High School Competency Exam. Exit exam required for all students who entered ninth grade before 2008-09

NMPSFA

New Mexico Public Schools Facilities Authority

NMSBA

(1) New Mexico Standards Based Assessment; or (2) New Mexico School Boards Association

NOSCA

National Organization for School Counselor Advocacy

NPR

National Public Radio

NSF

National Science Foundation

NSTA

National Science Teachers Association

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O

OBMS

Operating Budget Managing System

OCR

Office for Civil Rights

Operational fund

The specific 11000 sub-fund of the general fund as designated by the New Mexico Public Education Department.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OT

occupational therapy

Other educational purposes

Includes health clinics, daycare centers, teacher training centers, school district administration functions and other ancillary services related to school district’s functions and operations.

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P

PAC

(1) parent advisory committee; or (2) political action committee

PAL

predicted achievement level

parent (for purposes of special education):

• A biological or adoptive parent of a child;
• A foster parent, unless state law, regulations, or contractual obligations with a State or local entity prohibit a foster parent from acting as a parent;
• A guardian generally authorized to act as the child’s parent, or authorized to make educational decisions for the child (but not the State if the child is a ward of the State);
• An individual acting in the place of a biological or adoptive parent (including a grandparent, stepparent, or other relative) with whom the child lives, or an individual who is legally responsible for the child’s welfare; or
• A surrogate parent who has been appointed in accordance with § 300.519 or section 639(a)(5) of IDEA. (34 C.F.R. § 300.34(a))

Participating agency

Means any school district, agency or institution that collects, maintains, or uses personally identifiable information, or from which information is obtained.

PBDC

parents of behaviorally different children

PBS

(1) Public Broadcasting Service; or (2) positive behavior supports

PD

(1) professional development; or (2) procedural directive

PDD

pervasively developmental disability

PDP

professional development plan

PED, NMPED

New Mexico Public Education Department

peer-reviewed research

refers to research that is reviewed by qualified and independent reviewers to ensure that the quality of the information meets the standards of the field before the research is published. However, there is no single definition of peer-reviewed research because the review process varies depending on the type of information to be reviewed

Personal electronic device

Any device that a student is in possession of which electronically communicates, sends, receives, stores, reproduces or displays voice and/or text communication or data. These include, but are not limited to cellular phones, pagers, smart phones, music and media players, gaming devices, tablets, laptop computers and personal digital assistants.

Personally identifiable

Means information that includes:

• The child's name, the parent’s name as the parent, or the name of another family member;
• The child's address;
• A personal identifier, such as the child’s social security number or student number; or
• A list of personal characteristics or other information that would make it possible to identify the child with reasonable certainty.

PHLOTE

primary home language other than English. A student who is identified as having a first language or a home language other than English

PIP

parent intervention program

PLC

professional learning community. Teacher professional learning groups at the schools to support development of best practices

PLP

present level of performance

PO

purchase order

Policy

A formal statement of principles established by the Board of Education to provide guidance to the administration regarding the operation of or instruction in the school district.

Post-secondary recruiter

A person who recruits students to enroll in a school, college or university; to join a branch of the armed services; or to join a business, firm or other employment.

POS

programs of study

PR

(1) public relations; or (2) purchase requisition

PRO

parents reaching out

program evaluation

a systematic inquiry into the efficiency and effectiveness of accomplishing stated objectives; ethical issues; adherence to applicable federal and state law and regulation; responsible and appropriate use of resources, including funds, property and personnel; adequate operating and administrative processes, practices and internal management controls of specific projects and/or services administered by the district

project plan

The document(s) required by the New Mexico Public Education Department for non-construction or construction costing two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) or less, or the document(s) required by the Public School Finance Authority for direct legislative appropriations costing more than two-hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) or when a direct legislative appropriation is less but part of a greater construction project exceeding two-hundred thousand dollars ($200,000).

Prospective employee

Applicants who have been offered employment with the district.

PSA

Public Service Announcement

PSAT

Pre-Scholastic Aptitude Test. Normally taken by high school juniors as a practice test for the SAT. Some schools use the PSAT as a diagnostic tool to identify areas where students may need additional assistance or placement in more rigorous courses.

PSCOC

Public School Capital Outlay Committee

PSCOOTF

Public School Capital Outlay Oversight Task Force

PSS

program support specialist

PT

physical therapist

PTA

parent teacher association

PTO

parent teacher organization

PTSA

parent teacher student association

PTSO

parent teacher student organization

Public expense

Albuquerque Public Schools either pays for the full cost of the service or the service is otherwise provided at no cost to the parent/legal guardian.

public expense (for purposes of special education)

Albuquerque Public Schools either pays for the full cost of the evaluation or ensures that the evaluation is otherwise provided at no cost to the parent, consistent with the provisions of Part B of IDEA, which allow each state to use whatever state, local, federal, and private sources of support are available in the state to meet the requirements of Part B of IDEA. (34 C.F.R. § 300.502(a) (3) (ii))

Public monies

All monies coming into all agencies (i.e., vending machines, fees for photocopies, telephone charges, etc.) shall be considered public monies and be accounted for as such. For state agencies, all revenues generated must be authorized by legislation (Section 6-4-2 NMSA 1978 and MAPS Section 3.3).

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R

RDA

Research Deployment and Accountability. Department responsible for program evaluation, research, and accountability reporting

recipient of donated annual/personal leave

the employee who is not a member of or protected by a negotiated agreement whom has requested and has received written approval to solicit actual donations of annual/personal leave days from other employees who are not members of or protected by a negotiated agreement

related services

transportation and such developmental, corrective, and other supportive services as are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education, and includes speech-language pathology and audiology services, interpreting services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation including therapeutic recreation, early identification and assessment of disabilities in children, counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling, orientation and mobility services, and medical services for diagnostic or evaluation purposes. Related services also include school health services and school nurse services, social work services in schools, and parent counseling and training. (34 C.F.R. § 300.34(a))

RFP

request for proposal

RIF

Reduction In Force.

RT

resource teacher. Teachers who are on special assignment either at the school or at the district office

RTI

response to intervention

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S

SAMHSA

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency

SAT

(1) Scholastic Aptitude Test. The SAT is often taken by high school juniors and seniors as a precursor to college/university admission. It assesses a student's verbal, mathematical and writing skills; or (2) student assistance team. SATs are formed in response to students who are struggling academically, behaviorally, or emotionally in school. They consist of the student, parents or caregivers, teachers, administrators and support staff. The group comes to together to identify the student’s strengths and areas of concern and create a plan of action for modifying his or her school experience in ways intended to help the student succeed. Contact the student’s teacher or counselor to request a SAT team.

SBA

standards based assessment. State assessment in reading/language arts, math for students in grades three through eight and eleven

School meal program

A program under which meals are served by a public school in the district on a nonprofit basis to students attending the school.

School volunteer

A person who donates time, energy, or talent to various phases of school programs under the direction of school district personnel. These phases may include but not limited to mentoring students; providing in classroom assistance; enhancing the positive climate of the school, etc.

SINOI

school in need of improvement.

SEG

State Equalization Guarantee. Money that is distributed by the State of New Mexico for public school support

serious bodily injury

has the meaning given the term “serious bodily injury” under paragraph (3) of subsection (h) of section 1365 of title 18, United States Code

SHAC

School Health Advisory Council

SINOI

school in need of improvement

SIG

school improvement grant

SIS

Student Information Services. Department that is responsible for managing the student information systems including SchoolMax and other systems

Site capacity

The number of students that can be served at a location taking into account maximum class sizes allowed by law, regulation and policies, physical space available and program availability.

SLC

small learning communities

SLD

specific learning disability

SLI

speech language impairment

SLP

speech language pathologist

special education

specially designed instruction, at no cost to the parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability. (34 C.F.R. § 300.39(a))

SS/HS

Safe School/Healthy Students

STARS

Student Teacher Accountability Reporting System

State authorized charter school

A charter school whose contract is approved by the New Mexico Public Education Commission.

STEM

science, technology, engineering and mathematics

student in need of early intervention

a student who has accumulated five unexcused absences within a school year

substantial interest

ownership interest of a business that is greater than twenty percent (20%)

supplementary aids and services

aids, services, and other supports that are provided in regular education classes, other education-related settings, and in extracurricular and nonacademic settings, to enable children with disabilities to be educated with nondisabled children to the maximum extent appropriate in accordance with the least restrictive environment requirements of the IDEA. (34 C.F.R. § 300.42)

Supervisor

Means the person having responsibility for daily supervision and/or for evaluating the job performance of an employee of the district. This includes, but is not limited to, all superintendents, directors, principals, district coordinators, administrative supervisors, staff coordinators, school police investigators, maintenance and operations supervisors, technical assistants, executive secretaries, cafeteria supervisors, head custodians and cook mangers.

SW

social work

SWAN

Southwest Association of Neighborhoods

SWOP

Southwest Organizing Project

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T

TBI

traumatic brain injury

TCS

technology client services

TESOL

teachers of English speakers of other languages. Certification a teacher holds to provide English language learners with English development and sheltered content instruction

TIENET

special education case management system

TLS

teaching and learning systems

Traditional Albuquerque Public School

An elementary or secondary school fully administered by the Albuquerque Public School district which convenes during the conventional school day. It excludes alternative schools, charter schools, locally authorized charter schools and evening schools.

transition services

a coordinated set of activities for a child with a disability that emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet unique needs and prepare the student for future education, employment, and independent living. Transition services must:

• Be designed to be within a results-oriented process, that is focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the child with a disability to facilitate the child’s movement from school to post-school activities, including post-secondary education, vocational education, integrated employment (including supported employment), continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living, or community participation;
• Be based on the individual child’s needs;
• Take into account the child’s strengths, preferences, and interests; and
• Include:
• Instruction;
• Related services;
• Community experiences;
• The development of employment and other post-secondary adult living objectives; and
• If appropriate, acquisition of daily living skills and provision of a functional vocational evaluation. (34 C.F.R. § 300.43(a); 6.31.2.11(G) (2) NMAC)

tribal official

any official of a tribe a) any part of whose jurisdictional boundaries include areas also found within the boundaries of APS, or b) which has entered into an agreement with APS to provide education to children of that tribe, which official has been designated by the tribe to act as its agent in dealing with APS

tribe

an Indian nation, tribe or pueblo located within New Mexico

TUDA

trial urban district assessment. NAEP assessment program designed to provide select large urban districts with district-level data for the national assessment.

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U

unaccompanied youth

a youth not in the physical custody of a parent or legal guardian

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V

VI

visually impaired

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W

WAN

wide area network

ward of the state

A child who, as determined by New Mexico, is:

• A foster child;
• Considered a ward of the State under State law; or
• In the custody of a public child welfare agency.

However, ward of the state does not include a foster child who has a foster parent who meets the definition of a parent as used in IDEA.

whistleblower

a person who reveals any suspected wrongdoings or malpractices that are taking place within an organization via the contracted service the district provides

whistleblower complaint

the information, complaint or concern received from a whistleblower

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Y

YDI

Youth Development Inc.