So you get a phone call from your son’s school guidance department. Or perhaps you received a letter either in a backpack or the mail from the school requesting a meeting about your son. Not to worry, they have your son’s best educational interests at heart. Fill out the form, accept the request for the meeting and enter into your son’s school with an open mind. But before you sign any papers, do your homework. Even if that means leaving the guidance department without signing papers for your son’s educational program. Take some time and do some research about the acronyms they are about to throw at you at the meeting. At the very least, every time an acronym is used, ask for its definition.

States may differ in their terminology but many may use the same definitions. I don’t believe that the guidance department uses acronyms to confuse parents. Its my opinion that they are in meetings all day long, so often that it becomes easier to use acronyms then to say the same thing over and over and over. But, you have every right to know exactly what they are saying and what they mean when they rattle off the abbreviations for courses. No one should be called to the guidance office and have that “deer in the headlights” look and leave there totally confused about their son’s education.

Lets go over a few of the most common ones.
ESE - Exceptional Student Education
This will take in any student educational service whether it is remedial, speech, or
Gifted.
IEP - Individualized Educational Program
EMH- Educable Mentally Handicapped
EM- Emotionally Handicapped
ADA- American Disabilities Act
AP- Advanced Placement
LD- Learning Disabilities
ESOL- English Speakers of Other Languages
HI- Hearing Impaired
LLD-Language Learning Disabilities
PI-Physically Impaired
VI-Visually Impaired
VE- Varying Exceptionalities
SLD- Specific Learning Disability
504- Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973
AD/HD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
ADD Attention Deficit Disorder

http://www.educationoasis.com/resources/Professional_development/list_edu_acronyms.htm
The previous link is a website entitled, “Education Oasis” and the page is called, “Educational Acronyms”.

There are many, many more acronyms and links on that page that will let you know exactly what the teachers and guidance departments are offering your son to enhance and help his education. You owe it to your son to know and understand these acronyms so that you are better prepared to discuss his individual educational plan.

There are other questions that need to be asked before signing any paperwork for your child to be in any of the programs.
Exactly what will be the changes of my child’s education?
Will my child be getting the same courses and education as other students?
Will my child be “labeled” and who will know about this label?
How long will he have to be in these classes?
When will he lose the label?
Who is directly responsible for his courses and accommodations?
Which administrator is responsible for these to be put into action and have the teacher accountable?
What are the long term benefits of this program?
What are the drawbacks to this program?
What emotional reaction can we expect from my son due to these accommodations?
Will there be a social and/or behavioral response from his program? And if so, what will it be?
Please tell me what you base your decision on for having this meeting.

Ask any and all questions that will apply to your son. He is your son, you know what is best for him, but open up your mind and heart to trusted professionals that only want what is best for your son.