• Common Terms and Key Definitions Used at Mt. Herman:

     

    MDT -  The Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT)is a group of people, including the parent, that meets to assist in reviewing/updating a student's current educational services and determining the most appropriate services available to address the student’s needs. 

    IEP –  The Individual Educational Plan (IEP) is a plan developed for each student with a disability and is used to document the accommodations, modifications, and supplementary aids and services needed for students to access the curriculum in order to achieve the high standards set by the State of Florida.

    Related Services -  Related Services are those services that are required to assist a child with a disability to benefit from special education. Some examples of Related Services are transportation, special learning aids, assistive technology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.

    Progress Reports -  Progress Reports are sent home each 9 weeks and are a record of a student’s progress toward meeting the goals in the IEP.

    TD Sheets -  The Task Data Sheets are the record keeping documents used by the teacher to record a student’s progress toward meeting a goal.

    Curriculum-  The State of Florida has identified one set of Standards for all students; because our students have disabilities, the State has also identified ways for our students to access the State Standards – we call these the “Access Points”. SO…the Access Points to the Florida State Standards is our curriculum. AND…the IEP helps students with disabilities to access the curriculum.

    CPALMS –  (Collaborate, Plan, Align, Learn, Motivate, and Share) is a website that is considered an official source for the Florida state K-12 education standards and course information.  This resource in comprised of state standards, curriculum resources, interactive tools and online resources to allow educators to effectively implement the standards. 

    Access Points –  Access Points are academic expectations written specifically for students with significant cognitive disabilities. As part of the Next Generation Sunshine State 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. It is expected that only students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who are eligible under IDEA will use the access points.

    Core Curriculum -  Duval County Public Schools has adopted the Unique Learning System (ULS) and Meville to Weville as the core curricula for students with disabilities who access their academics through the Access Points.

    IND, SLA, and PLA –  Indicate the different levels of complexity within the access points. The levels of complexity are determined by the students’ ability; IND is the Independent Level for Academics. SLA is the Supported level for Academics; PLA is the Participatory Level for Academics. A student may be performing in more than one level at a time. Most of the students at Mt. Herman perform at the PLA level most of the time. 

    FSAA Datafolio -  The Florida Alternate Assessment (FAA) is designed for students whose participation in the general statewide assessment (FCAT) is not appropriate even with accommodations. The FAA measures student academic performance on the  Sunshine State Standards Access Points in Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science at three levels of complexity; participatory, supported, and independent. The assessment is given to students in grades 3 through 11.

    Common CSoreThe Common Core State Standards Initiative is a nationwide education initiative that seeks to bring diverse state curricula into alignment with each other by following the principles of standards-based education reform. At this time, the State of Florida is considering the adoption of the Common Core Standards.

    M.O.V.E.Mobility Opportunities Via Education/Experience (MOVE) is a supplemental, activity-based curriculum designed to teach individuals basic, functional motor skills needed for life in home and community environments.  Combining natural body mechanics with an instructional process, it assists individuals to gain independence necessary to sit, stand, and walk.  

    A.P.E. –  Adaptive Physical Education    

    Every Move CountsA sensory based approach to communication and assistive technology for individuals with significant sensory motor differences, developmental differences and autism.

     SBE -  A School Based Enterprise (SBE) is an entrepreneurial operation in a school setting that provides goods/services to meet the needs of the market.  SBEs provide realistic and practical learning experiences that reinforce classroom instruction.  School-based enterprises are effective educational tools in helping to prepare students for the transition from school to work.