Alphabet Soup - what do all the letters mean?
BPAC, CDE, CSAP, CSC, DRA, ELA, GED, HGT, IC, IEP, KC, NCLB, PTA, PTO, PTSA, SAT...It can be overwhelming! What do all these mean?
BPAC
Bilingual Parent Advisory Committee - If more than 10% of a school's students are English Language learners, federal law mandates that parents have a forum and can be active participants in their child's schools. BPACs are often synonymous with PTOs (see below). If you are interested in starting a BPAC at your school, contact your school principal.
CDE
Colorado Department of Education - The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is the administrative arm of the Colorado State Board of Education. With an organizational commitment to high standards, challenging assessments, and rigorous accountability measures, CDE serves the preK-12 public education, adult education family literacy and library communities of Colorado. For more information about the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) log on to http://www.cde.state.co.us.
CSAP
Colorado Student Assessment Program - This test is given to all students beginning in 3rd grade to determine their proficiency in a number of academic areas. CSAP is also used as a tool to hold schools accountable for their educating of students. This yearly snapshot compares your child's performance against the Colorado State Standards and is closely aligned with the standard's based teaching approach used in DPS Elementary and Middle Schools.
CSC
Collaborative School Committee - In DPS, schools have site-based management. The CSC is the decision making body for the school. Each school's CSC is comprised of the Principal, 4 teachers, 4 parents, a non-teaching staff person and 1 community representative.
DRA or DRA2
Diagnostic Reading Assessment - This test is given to students beginning in Kindergarten to determine their reading level. This gives you as a parent some idea at what level your child is reading. This is one of many reading assessments given to students and it gives you as a parent some idea at what level your child is reading. On the Standards Based Progress Report (SBPR - see below) there is a section for Assessment data. This score is often, but not always, based upon DRA scores.
ELA
English Language Acquisition - Federal Law mandates that ALL students have the right to an education. If students come into DPS without English language skills they are placed in one of several programs to help with their language transition. The ELA Department is responsible for providing English language acquisition services to more than 16,000 English language learners in the Denver Public Schools. More than 122 languages are spoken by English language learners in DPS. As of October 1, 2006, Spanish is the primary language for 14,607 of the 16,465 English language learners. See http://ela.dpsk12.org for further specifics. http://www.colorincolorado.org/families.
EGOS
Emily Griffith Opportunity School - Founded in 1916, Emily Griffith Opportunity School is a leader in vocational, career and technical education, offering certificate programs in over 40 different careers. Open to adult students of all ages, Opportunity School can help you begin a college career, start a new career or upgrade training in your current career. Parents and students with jobs will appreciate Opportunity School's flexible schedules, welcoming learning environment and top-level instruction. To find out more or enroll today, call 720-423-4700 or go to http://www.egos-school.com.
EOP
Educational Outreach Program - The Educational Outreach Program is a program within Denver Public Schools that is dedicated to helping students experiencing homelessness to succeed in school. Clothing vouchers, school supplies, tutoring and after-school programs, hygiene supplies, special events, school uniforms and transportation are all available to students. For more information go to: http://eop.dpsk12.org.
ESL
English as a Second Language - Adults and parents of school-age children who are interested in improving their English Language skills are encouraged to enroll at Emily Griffith Opportunity School, the largest and oldest English as a Second Language Center in Colorado. Opportunity School offers English language education at all levels from no English to college bound students. The ESL program is delivered by an educated and experienced staff of instructors, many of whom have been at Opportunity School for 20 or more years. To find out more or enroll today, call 720-423-4700 or go to http://www.egos-school.com.
GED
General Equivalency Diploma, the equivalant of a High School Diploma - The GED Test measures the major academic skills and concepts associated with four years of regular high school instruction. The test provides an opportunity for persons who have not graduated from high school to earn a high school equivalency diploma. The GED Tests measure competency in five subject areas: Language Arts-Writing, Social Studies, Science, Language Arts-Reading, and Mathematics. Emily Griffith Opportunity School offers adult basic education to assist students who are interested in obtaining a GED. Opportunity School offers preparation classes, practice tests and the official test. To find out more or enroll today, call 720-423-4700 or go to http://www.egos-school.com.
GT/HGT
Gifted and Talented/Highly Gifted and Talented - This designation is determined by a test given several times during elementary school. Kindergarten teachers often make recommendations as to students they think should receive testing. At other grades, all students will be tested. Designation as GT or HGT often allows your student to participate in supplemental programs schools might offer. There are also Magnet schools for GT/HGT students and programs within some middle schools which are specific for GT/HGT students.
IC
Infinite Campus -This is the database used by Denver Public Schools to track attendance and student records. In the middle and upper grades it is a most effective tool for parents to use to monitor their students grades on a regular basis. Check with your child's school to see if they are using the parent portal component of IC and ask how you can get access. This is often done at registration.
IEP
Individualized Educational Program - A written document developed by the school and parent for a child identified as disabled under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that describes the child's abilities and needs and prescribes educational placement and services.
ILP
Individual Literacy Plan - This document serves as a contract between the school and the parent, and outlines how each party is going to work to support a student who may be struggling. All students in grades 1-5 who are below grade level in reading should have an ILP. Having an ILP is not the result of a disability nor is it a designation of Special Education.
KC
Kaleidescope Corner - This is a separately run and independently administered before and after-school daycare program which is housed in many Denver Public Schools. If you would like before or after-school care, check with the schools you are considering applying to to see if before and after care options are available.
NCLB
No Child Left Behind - NCLB is the federally mandated legislation which came into effect in 2001. Many of the elements in NCLB are continuations of earlier Federal mandates, such as Title I, Title IX etc. NCLB often dictates many of the policies that are in place in the schools. It also directs many of the elements involved in school reform.
PTA, PTSA, PTO
Parent Teacher (Student) Association, or Parent Teacher Organization - PTA/PTO's often serve as the fundraising arm of the school and also work closely with the school to provide supplemental programs and activities of interest to that school. The difference between a PTA and a PTO is that PTAs and PTSA's are part of a membership organization where each school organization pays dues to the larger legislative member organization. PTO's exist independently to serve the school. To get more information go to the following: http://www.copta.org or http://www.ptotoday.com.
RTI
Response to Intervention - If a student is struggling, the school may initiate an RTI (Response to Intervention). The goal of RTI is to identify struggling students before they fall too far behind. The school staff works together to identify the student's specific area of weakness and develops a plan to provide the support the child needs to reach the educational goals. Having an RTI plan is pro-active and is not the result of a disability or the need for Special Education Services.
SAR
School Accountability Report - The SAR is basically your individual school's progress report. It gives you, as a parent and a taxpayer information on how the students at your school have done on state standardized tests (CSAPs). It identifies the overall academic growth of students at that school, what the demographics of the school are and information on the safety and school environment such as number of serious discipline incidents and suspensions. There is also information as to how your school compares to other schools in your neighborhood. This information can be helpful if you are looking at schools and is one of the tools to be considered when comparing schools. See http://www.dpsk12.org/enrollment.
SAT/ACT
Scholastic Aptitude Test/American College Testing - These are the two most frequently used achievement assessments for college and university admissions. They are a part of how colleges look at your student overall. Typically students will take them their Junior Year in high school. Many students consider taking the PSAT, a pre-test, the prior year to prepare them for taking the SAT.
Section 504/Student Accommodation Plan
When a school determines that a child with a physical or mental impairment is eligible for protections under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a written document is developed by the school and parent for that describes accommodations and/or services needed in order for the child to access/participate in the school program.
SBPR
Standards Based Progress Reports - What does it mean? Denver Public Schools is aligning all of their curricula with the educational standards established by the State of Colorado for each grade level. A Standards Based Progress Report (SBPR) replaces the traditional report card. Gone are the traditional A, B, C, D grades that many parents are used to. The SBPR gives you information as to how your child is progressing towards reaching the grade level standard. This standard is the expectation set by the State of Colorado and does not vary from school to school. Therefore, ALL children have the same expectation no matter what school they attend. Your child's performance is measured against the "standard", rather than simply being compared to other students in his or her class. This gives EVERY child the opportunity to meet or exceed the standard. It also gives you as the parent or guardian more detailed information as to exactly how your child is progressing toward that standard.
Title I
A federal program that provides funds to help educationally disadvantaged children achieve the same high academic achievement as other students. The federal government compensates school districts that are dealing with the effects of poverty. The funds are used to fund our elementary literacy coaches as well as reading and math programs to enhance opportunities for educationally disadvantaged children. The funds are also used to provide services to students from homeless families, to support English Language Acquisition, and to provide parent programs. Without these funds, DPS would not be able to provide these programs.