Jargon

We asked administrators about acronyms and administrative-speak, and this is what we learned...

Featured Dilemma:

Academic jargon used in many school offices can be confusing.

We learned from Alan that it is essential, working in schools, that one be familiar with the IEP and Public Law 221. Policies governing the structure and the implementation of Individual Education Plans have great impact on schools. When dealing with students who receive special education services, staff must use terminology that reflects state regulatory guidelines.   Although staff do not use acronyms, David prefers that staff and school social workers know any verbiage used in the State Code.    Though aware of educational acronyms, Louis prefers that staff spell out terms, whether speaking or writing. His concern is for the individual--perhaps a parent--who will not ask the meaning of an acronym or other clarification, or who does not want to present as not knowing what most individuals in the audience (s/he feels) already know.    School social workers in Georgia are familiar with terms such as Student Support Team, Curriculum Council, and Student Reform, but they are not typically involved with discipline problems. Louis prefers that students not view school social workers as part of the school discipline team. Joan emphasized the importance of communication among all staff, but she did not believe they need to know a certain jargon.

Can you give examples of terms or acronyms that you expect members of your staff to recognize. What terminology do you prefer staff use for behavior problems?

One interview revealed that jargon is constantly changing and the best way to learn it is to be in the school system.  Alan reiterated the importance of P.L. 221. One may hear jargon used from the teachers that head resource rooms for emotionally disabled and learning disabled. Those teachers refer on a daily basis to a student's Individual Educational Plan (IEP). According to Mike, during a case conference, regular education teachers and administration often need to have the resource teachers explain special jargon. Regular education teachers recognize the IEP and work with literacy terms such as DRA folders, which are for Diagnostic Reading Assessment. NWEA testing is used to show growth academically over the course of a school year.