Special Education Services
Plano Independent School District

Commonly Used Special Education Acronyms

AT -  Assistive Technology.  This may refer to either an assistive technology device or service, or both. An assistive technology device is defined as any item, piece of equipment or product system used to increase, maintain or improve the functioning of someone with a disability.  Assistive technology devices for students with disabilities may be used for seating and positioning, mobility, augmentative communication, computer access and instruction, environmental control, adaptive toys and games, visual and listening aids.

An assistive technology service is defined as any service, including training, that assists a student with a disability in the selection, acquisition or use of an assistive technology device.

ECI - Early Childhood/Infant Programs or Early Childhood Intervention. This is a statewide program for children from birth to age three who have developmental delays.  ECI makes services available for every eligible child.  The ECI provider for Collin County is ITIP (Infant and Toddler Intervention Program).  Their phone number is 972.599.7722.

ESY - Extended School Year. School districts must provide special education and related services beyond the normal school calendar year when necessary to provide FAPE to a student. The ARD committee determines when and to what extent ESY services are needed based upon documented academic regression that occur during breaks in the school year. 

FAPE - Free and Appropriate Public Education. These are special education and related services that are provided at public expense; meet the standards of the state's education agency; including preschool, elementary school, or secondary school education in the state involved; and are provided in conformity with the student's IEP. 
FAPE is guaranteed to all students with disabilities by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

FIE - Full Individual Assessment. This  assessment is conducted by trained professionals to determine if a student has a disability and, if so, the nature and extent of the resulting need for special education and related services. 

IDEA - Individual with Disabilities Education Act (PL 94-142). A federal law enacted in 1975 that guarantees students with disabilities the right to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE). 

IEE - Independent Educational Evaluation. IDEA made a specific provision for parents who want to request an IEE when they feel the district's assessment is incomplete, inaccurate, or does not accurately measure the student's need for special education services. An IEE is conducted by a professional not employed by the school district. 

IEP - Individual Education Plan. This is the legal written document developed for an individual identified as having a disability according to IDEA. It is the written plan that details the special education and related services that are to be provided to the individual student.  Parents and school staff work together to develop the IEP at the ARD meeting. The IEP must be reviewed at least annually.

ITP - Individual Transition Plan. An ITP is a written plan that coordinates with the student's IEP to promote movement from school to post-school activities. The plan is based on the student's individualized needs; preferences; and interests, and includes instruction; related service; community experiences; and daily living skills that promote the student's future adult living and employment objectives. It is required by age 16 for every student who receives special education services, but there are many students for whom it is best practice to develop at age 14 or younger.

LRE - Least Restrictive Environment. LRE is a legal mandate of IDEA.  It refers to the right of every student with disabilities to be educated to the maximum extent appropriate with their non-disabled peers.

PPCD - Preschool Programs for Children with Disabilities. This is Plano ISD's preschool program  for children between the ages of three through five who qualify for special education services.

SBOE - State Board of Education. This is the state agency that interprets the federal law for special education services and creates additional state standards from them. 

TEKS - Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills. These are sets of concepts identified by the state for students to master within a given grade year. District curricula  are designed around these standards.