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This glossary includes terms and acronyms that School Site Council (SSC) members commonly encounter. Some of the definitions were adapted from glossaries provided by the SchoolWise Press, EdSource , or Ed-data.
Academic Plan: The plan that each School Site Council must write, indicating how resources will be used to improve student achievement.
Accommodations: Changes in the way tests are designed or administered to respond to the special needs of English learners and students with disabilities. (EdSource)
Accountability: The notion that people (e.g., students or teachers) or an organization (e.g., a school, school district, or state department of education) should be held responsible for improving student achievement, and they should be rewarded or sanctioned for their success or lack of success in doing so. (EdSource)
Achievement test: A test to measure a student's knowledge and skills. (EdSource)
ADA: Average Daily Attendance. The total number of days of student attendance divided by the total number of days in the regular school year. A student attending every school day would equal one ADA. Generally, ADA is lower than enrollment due to such factors as transiency, dropouts, and illness. A school district's revenue limit income is based on its ADA. (Ed-data)
Adoption: Refers to the chosen curriculum of a particular school.
Alignment: The degree to which assessments, curriculum, instruction, textbooks and other instructional materials, teacher preparation and professional development, and systems of accountability all reflect and reinforce the educational program's objectives and standards. (EdSource)
AMO: Annual Measurable Objective. The annual target for the percentage of students whose test scores must be proficient or above in English/language arts and mathematics. Meeting the AMO is the first step toward demonstrating adequate yearly progress under the federal law No Child Left Behind (NCLB). (Ed-data)
AP: Advanced Placement. A series of voluntary exams, based on college-level courses taken in high school. High school students who do well on one or more of these exams have the opportunity to earn credit, advanced placement, or both for college. (EdSource)
API: Academic Performance Index. A statewide ranking of schools based on student test scores from the CAT/6, CST, and high school exit exam; it ranges from 200 to 1000. Most schools have (1) an API, (2) a state ranking (by elementary, middle, or high school), (3) a ranking in comparison to 100 similar schools, and (4) growth targets for the following year. (Ed-data)
Assessment: Teacher-made tests, standardized tests, or tests from textbook companies that are used to evaluate student performance.
AYP: Adequate Yearly Progress. An individual state's measure of yearly progress toward achieving state academic standards. Adequate yearly progress is the minimum level of improvement that states, school districts, and schools must achieve each year, according to federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation. This progress is determined by a collection of performance measures that a state, its school districts, and subpopulations of students within its schools are supposed to meet if the state receives Title I federal funding. In California, the measures include (1) specified percentages of students scoring "proficient" or "advanced" on California Standards Tests in English/language arts and math; (2) participation of a least 95 percent of students on those tests; (3) specified API scores or gains; and (4) for high schools, a specified graduation rate or improvement in the rate. (EdSource)
Bilingual education: An in-school program for students whose first language is not English or who have limited English skills. Bilingual education provides English language development plus subject area instruction in the student's native language. The goal is for the child to gain knowledge and be literate in two languages. (EdSource)
Bond measure: School districts often use this method of borrowing to pay for construction or renovation projects. A bond measure requires a 55 percent voter majority to pass. The principal and interest are repaid by local property owners through an increase in property taxes. (See also parcel tax.) (EdSource)
CAHSEE: California High School Exit Exam. A state exam that California public high school students, beginning with the class of 2006, must pass in order to graduate. Its purpose is to test whether students have mastered the academic skills necessary to succeed in the adult world. It is a pass-fail exam divided into two sections: English/language arts (reading and writing) and mathematics. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors can take the test. Once students pass a section of the test, they do not have to take that section again. (EdSource)
California Content Standards: The official definitions from the state Board of Education of what children need to know and learn at a particular grade level.
California Education Code (Ed Code): A collection of all the laws directly related to California K-12 public schools. Ed Code sections are created or changed by the governor and legislature when they make laws. (EdSource)
CAPA: California Alternate Performance Assessment. This is an alternative assessment for children with disabilities who cannot take part in general statewide assessment programs; it is part of California's Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) Program.
CAT/6: California Achievement Test. A standardized, nationally normed test of basic skills that replaced the SAT-9, in 2003, as a state-required test for grades two through 11. Results are used to compare the scores of individual students and schools with others in the area, across the state, and throughout the United States. The API is calculated using this exam instead of the SAT-9. (See nationally normed assessment.) (Ed-data)
Categorical aid: Funds from the state or federal government granted to qualifying schools or districts for specific children with special needs, certain programs such as class size reduction, or special purposes such as transportation. In general, schools or districts must spend the money for the specific purpose. All districts receive categorical aid in varying amounts. This aid is in addition to the funding schools received for their general education program. (EdSource)
CAO: Chief Academic Officer. Supports site planning by helping schools identify teaching strategies and programs.
CBEST: California Basic Education Skills Test. This test measures basic educational skills and must be passed before a person can become a teacher or administrator in California. (EdSource)
CBO: Community Based Organization.
CDE: California Department of Education.
CELDT: California English Language Development Test. A test for students whose primary language is not English (as reported by their parents). The test is administered 30 days after initial enrollment and then annually until it is determined that the student has mastered English. At that point the student is classified as Fluent English Proficient (FEP). Certificated/credentialed employees: School employees who are required by the state to hold teaching credentials, including full-time, part-time, substitute, or temporary teachers and most administrators. A teacher who has not yet acquired a credential but has an emergency permit or a waiver to teach in the classroom is included in the count. The requirements for a fully credentialed teacher include having a bachelor's degree, completing additional required coursework, and passing the CBEST. (Ed-data and EdSource)
Certificate/credential: A state-issued license certifying that the teacher has completed the necessary basic training courses and passed the teacher exam.
CFO: Chief Financial Officer.
CLAD: Cross-cultural Language and Development. A test that teachers must pass to gain credentials that qualify them to teach English to English learners. The BCLAD is a CLAD for bilingual teachers.
Class size reduction: A state-funded program for kindergarten through third grade classes to ensure that there are no more than 20 students per teacher. A separate program supports some smaller classes for core subjects in ninth grade. (Ed-data)
Classified employees: School employees who are not required to hold teaching credentials, such as bus drivers, secretaries, custodians, instructional aides, and some management personnel. (Ed-data, EdSource)
Cluster: To place small groups of students together for instruction, especially GATE students.
Comparable growth: Subgroups of students in a school must improve their scores on standardized tests. They are expected to achieve 80 percent of the predominant student group's target, which is known as comparable growth.
Conflict management: A strategy that schools use to prevent and address behavior problems by using peer counselors, mediators, or a school curriculum or program. It usually includes a set of expectations for behavior.
Consent Decree: A source of funds that must be used to support the instruction of underperforming students, and provide equal access to high-quality programs. Also known as the Target Instructional Improvement Grant.
Content standards: Standards that describe what students should know and be able to do in core academic subjects at each grade level. (EdSource)
Cooperative learning: A teaching method in which students of differing abilities work together on an assignment. Each student has a specific responsibility within the group. Students complete assignments together and receive a common grade.
Core academics: The required subjects in middle and high schools-usually English (literature), history (social studies), math, and science.
Core Program: The basic overall program of instruction required for all students. Includes the provision of a teacher, a regular classroom furnished for learning, textbooks, related materials, and supplies and equipment to provide basic instruction to all students on a daily basis. The district must provide and fund the core program.
CTC: California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
CSRD: Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration grant. This is a federal grant supporting whole-school, research-based reform initiatives. This grant is awarded to individual school sites.
CST: California Standards Tests, part of the STAR program. The items on the CST were developed specifically to assess students' performance on California's content standards. Students in grades 2-11 are tested in English/Language Arts and Mathematics. Students in grades 5, 9, and 11 are tested in Science. Students in grades 8, 10, and 11 are tested in History/Social Science.
Curriculum: The courses of study offered by a school or district. California has developed a set of standards that are intended to guide curriculum and instruction. The final decisions about school curriculum are the responsibility of the local school board. (EdSource)
DAC: District Advisory Committee. Works with the Department of State and Federally Funded Projects (DSFFP) to monitor each school's compliance in:
DCYF: Department of Community, Youth, and their Families. A department of the City and County of San Francisco.
DELAC: District English Learner Advisory Committee. Advises the District governing board on bilingual programs and services for English Language Learners. Each school with an ELAC (English Learner Advisory Council) must send at least one member to represent the school on the DELAC.
Differentiated instruction: This is also referred to as "individualized" or "customized" instruction. The curriculum offers several different learning experiences within one lesson to meet students' varied needs or learning styles (e.g., different teaching methods for students with learning disabilities).
Disaggregated data: The presentation of data broken into segments of the student population instead of the entire enrollment. Typical segments include students who are economically disadvantaged, from racial or ethnic minority groups, have disabilities, or have limited English fluency. Disaggregated data allows parents and teachers to see how each student group is performing in a school. (EdSource)
DPSS: Data Planning School Support.
Dropout: A student in grades seven through twelve who has left school prior to completing the school year and has not returned by Information Day (a day in October when students throughout the state and are counted and enrollment is determined). This does not include students who receive a General Education Development (GED) or California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE) certificate, transfer to another high school or to a college, move out of the United States, are suspended or sick that day, or enrolled late. (EdSource) DSFFP: Department of State and Federally Funded Programs. An SFUSD department responsible for supporting District and school-site efforts to improve the academic performance of multi-funded students. Provides services to school sites, including
EIA: Economic Impact Aid. A state categorical funding program, consisting of two parts: LEP and SCE.
ELA: English/Language Arts. Another term for English curriculum. The focus is on reading, speaking, listening, and writing skills.
ELAC: English Learner Advisory Committee. A school site committee responsible for advising the principal and staff on the creation and implementation of the school's plan for English learners. Any school with 21 or more English Learners must have an ELAC.
ELL: English Language Learners. Also sometimes referred to as EL, or English Learners.
Enrichment: Additional courses outside those required for graduation.
EPC: Education Placement Center. An SFUSD department responsible for assigning students to schools.
ESL: English as a Second Language. Classes or support programs for students whose native language is not English.
ET/TT: Emergency Teacher/Temporary Teacher. SFUSD gives this designation to a teacher hired on a limited term, non-renewable contract.
FEP: Fluent English Proficient. A designation that means that a student is no longer considered as part of the school's English learner population. It refers to students who have learned English. (EdSource)
Formative assessment: Any form of assessment used by an educator to evaluate students' knowledge and understanding of particular content and then to adjust instructional practices accordingly toward improving student achievement in that area. (EdSource)
FRL: Free and Reduced-price Lunch. A designation indicating that a student qualifies to receive free or reduced-price meals. Funding comes from a federal program that provides food for students from low-income families.
GATE: Gifted and Talented Education. A program that offers supplemental, differentiated, challenging curriculum and instruction for students identified as being intellectually gifted or talented. (EdSource)
HPSGP: High Priority Schools Grant Program. A program created to provide funds for schools in the lower half of the state rankings (Deciles 1-5) based on the API. It focuses on schools with APIs that fall in the bottom ten percent of all schools and replaces the II/USP. Schools volunteer to be in this program. (EdSource)
Highly qualified teacher: According to NCLB, this designation applies to a teacher who (1) has obtained full state teacher certification, or has passed the state teacher licensing examination and holds a license to teach in the state; (2) holds a minimum of a bachelor's degree; and (3) has demonstrated subject area competence in each of the academic subjects in which he or she teaches. (EdSource)
IEP: Individual Education Program. A written plan created for a student with learning disabilities by the student's teachers, parents or guardians, the school administrator, and other interested parties. The plan is tailored to the student's specific needs and abilities, and outlines goals for the student to reach. The IEP should be reviewed at least once a year.
Immersion education: A program that teaches children to speak, read, and write in a second language by surrounding them with conversation and instruction in that language. Note that English immersion may differ from other immersion programs.
Inclusion: The practice of placing students with disabilities in regular classrooms. Also known as mainstreaming. (EdSource)
Independent study: Specially designed instruction in courses taught through a variety of delivery methods that complement traditional high school curricula and provide an accredited diploma.
Instructional minutes: Refers to the amount of time the state requires teachers to spend providing instruction in each subject area.
Integrated curriculum: Refers to the practice of using a single theme to teach a variety of subjects. It also refers to an interdisciplinary curriculum, which combines several school subjects into one project.
Intervention: The term refers to funds that schools get for students who are not learning at grade level. They can be used to fund before-school or after-school programs, or to pay for materials and instructors.
ISO: Instructional Support and Operations. An SFUSD department that directly supervises and supports schools and site administrators, in elementary, K-8, middle, and high schools. Responsible for assisting the schools to put their site plans into action.
IST: Information Systems and Technology. An SFUSD department.
LEP: Limited English Proficient. Part of EIA, a state categorical program. LEP funds are used, kindergarten through grade twelve, to supplement the Core Program for English learners, in order to improve their academic achievement. The school's Academic Plan should describe the use of these funds. Typically, LEP funds are used to purchase supplemental materials, services of instructional aides, and/or supplemental resource teachers.
LMCC: Labor Management Community Advisory Committee. Promotes, supports, and monitors the effectiveness of SSCs.
Mainstreaming: The practice of placing students with disabilities in regular classrooms; also known as inclusion. (EdSource)
MOU: Memorandum of Understanding.
Multilingual Office: Facilitates, coordinates, and monitors all language programs in the District, including bilingual, dual immersion, and total immersion programs.
Multiple-subject credential: A credential required to teach in elementary and middle-school classrooms. It qualifies a teacher to teach multiple subjects in a self-contained class.
NCLB: No Child Left Behind. Signed into law by President Bush in 2002, No Child Left Behind sets performance guidelines for all schools and also stipulates what must be included in accountability reports to parents. It mandates annual student testing, includes guidelines for underperforming schools, and requires states to train all teachers and assistants to be "highly qualified".
Norm-referenced assessment: An assessment in which an individual or group's performance is compared with a larger group. Usually the larger group is representative of a cross-section of all US students. (EdSource)
Office of Parent Relations: Provides resources and support to schools, in order to encourage parent participation in school and district activities.
PAR: Peer Assistance and Review. A program that encourages designated consulting teachers to assist other teachers who need help in developing their subject matter knowledge, teaching strategies, or both. They also help teachers to meet the standards for proficient teaching.
Parcel tax: In California, an assessment on each parcel of property that must be approved by two-thirds of the votes in a school district. The proceeds are generally used for educational programs, not for construction or renovation, which is normally financed through a general obligation bond measure. (EdSource)
Peer resource program: A program that trains students to provide their peers with counseling, education, and support on issues such as prejudice, drugs, violence, child abuse, dropping out, AIDS, and peer pressure. Students are also trained to provide tutoring and conflict mediation.
PGP: Professional Growth Plan. Indicates a teacher's professional growth activities, which are tied to district priorities and the San Francisco Teaching Standards. This plan is part of the new STARSS teacher evaluation process.
Phonics: An instructional strategy used to teach reading. It helps beginning readers by teaching them letter-sound relationships and having them sound out words.
Physical education (PE): Activities focused on developing physical and motor fitness; fundamental motor skills and patterns; and skills in aquatics, dance, individual and group games, and sports (including intramural and lifetime sports). The term includes special PE, adaptive PE, movement education, and motor development.
PI: Program Improvement. A multi-step plan to improve the performance of students in schools that did not make adequate yearly progress under No Child Left Behind for two years in a row. Only schools that receive federal Title I funds may be entered in Program Improvement. The steps in PI can include a revised school plan, professional development, tutoring for some students, transfer to another school with free transportation, and, at the end of five years, significant restructuring. (Ed-data)
PO: Purchase Order.
Portable: A term commonly used to describe single-unit, relocatable buildings. A portable building can be moved from one site when it is no longer needed and used again in another location.
Portfolio: A collection of various samples of a student's work throughout the school year that can include writing samples, examples of math problems, and results of science experiments. (EdSource)
PPS: Parents for Public Schools. An advocacy group of parents who work to promote and build quality schools for all children, by (1) providing parents with information, news and parent-to-parent networking; and (2) developing parent leaders at the school and district level.
PQR: Program Quality Review. A state-mandated review process for elementary and middle schools which occurs every three years. The outcomes of this review include a comprehensive self-review, a student work summary, and a School Improvement Plan.
Primary language: A student's first language, or the language spoken at home. Professional development: Programs that allow teachers or administrators to acquire the knowledge and skills they need to perform their jobs successfully. (EdSource)
Proficiency: Mastery or ability to do something at grade level. California students receive scores on the California Standards Tests (CST) that range from "far below basic" to "advanced." The state goal is for all students to score at "proficient" or "advanced." (EdSource)
Proposition H: See the Public Education Enrichment Fund.
PTA: Parent Teacher Association. A national organization of parents, teachers, and other interested persons, with individual chapters at school sites. PTA chapters rely entirely on voluntary participation, and offer assistance to schools in many different areas.
PTSA: Parent Teacher Student Association. Often found at middle and high schools, this is a PTA that includes students.
Public Education Enrichment Fund: Also known as Prop H, this fund is bringing resources to SFUSD students in arts, music, sports, and library programs. It also provides additional funding for personnel, such as nurses, counselors, and learning support professionals, and programs, such as the Peer Resources program.
Pull-out programs: Students receive instruction in small groups outside of the classroom.
Pupil-teacher ratio: The total student enrollment divided by the number of full-time equivalent teachers. The pupil-teacher ratio is the most common statistic for comparing data across states; it is usually smaller than average class size because some teachers work outside the classroom. (Ed-data)
Resource specialists: Specially credentialed teachers who work with special education students by assisting them in regular classes or pulling them out of class for extra help.
Resource teacher: A teacher who instructs children with various learning differences. Most often these teachers use small group and individual instruction. Children are assigned to resource teachers after undergoing testing and receiving an IEP.
RPA: Research, Planning, and Accountability. An SFUSD department that provides information on student performance for every school.
RSP: Resource Specialist Program. A set of services provided for Special Education students who are enrolled in general education classrooms. Through RSP, each student receives appropriate accommodations and modifications to the core curriculum as outlined in his or her IEP.
Rubric: Refers to a grading or scoring system. A rubric is a scoring tool that lists the criteria to be met in a piece of work. A rubric also describes levels of quality for each of the criteria. These levels of performance may be written as different ratings (e.g., Excellent, Good, Needs Improvement) or as numerical scores (e.g., 4, 3, 2, 1).
SABE/2: Spanish Assessment of Basic Education, Second Ed. A norm-referenced assessment required for all Spanish-speaking students in grades two through eleven who have been enrolled in California schools for less than one year. SABE/2 is part of the STAR program and the results are part of the school's API. It covers Spanish/language arts and mathematics. (EdSource)
SAC: School Advisory Committee. A school site committee that advises on the development and modifications of the school's compensatory education program. Any school which receives EIA/SCE funds must have a SAC.
Safe harbor: An alternate method for a school to meet AMO if it shows progress in moving students from scoring at the "below proficient" level to the "proficient" level or above on STAR, CAHSEE, and/or CAPA. The state, school districts, and schools may still make AYP if each subgroup that fails to reach its proficiency performance targets reduces its percentage of students not meeting standards by 10 percent of the previous year's percentage, plus the subgroup must meet the attendance rate or graduation rate targets. (Dataquest)
SARC: School Accountability Report Card. An annual disclosure report for parents and the public produced by a school that presents student achievement, test scores, teacher credentials, dropout rates, class sizes, resources, and more. The SARC is required by state and federal law.
SCE: State Compensatory Education. A California funding source that is equivalent to Title I.
SDC: Special Day Classes. Full-day, self-contained classes for Special Education students. Classes are taught by certified special education teachers and include additional support staff. Assignment to SDC depends on the student's IEP eligibility.
SEIU: Service Employees International Union. This union's Local 790 represents all classified employees at SFUSD school sites and in central administration.
SES: A designation for socio-economically disadvantaged students. In SFUSD, SES students are those who participate in the federally funded free/reduced price meal program because of low family income. (EdSource)
Single-subject credential: A credential required to teach middle or high school in California. It authorizes a teacher to teach in a single subject area, such as English or a foreign language.
SIP: School Improvement Program. A state-funded program for elementary, intermediate, and secondary schools to improve instruction, services, school environment and organization at school sites according to plans developed by School Site Councils (see School Site Council).
SFTS: San Francisco Teaching Standards. Has been used as the basis for teacher evaluation in SFUSD since the 2000-01 school year. Modified from the California Standards for the Teaching Profession.
Special education: Special instruction provided for students with educational or physical disabilities, tailored to each student's needs and learning style.
SSC: School Site Council. A group of teachers, parents, administrators, and interested community members who work together to develop and monitor a school's academic plan. It is a legally required decision-making body for any school receiving federal funds.
SSP: "School Site Plan." The plan required by the state for participation in certain state and federally funded programs. In SFUSD, the School Site Plan is called the "Academic Plan."
Standards-referenced tests: Also known as standards-based assessments.
STAR: Standardized Testing and Reporting Program. The three tests that are required for grades two through 11 are the CST, the CAT/6, and the SABE/2.
Staff development days: Days set aside in the school calendar for teacher training. School is not generally held on these days.
Standardized test: A test that is in the same format for all who take it. It often relies on multiple-choice questions and the testing conditions - including instructions, time limits, and scoring rubrics - are the same for all students, though sometimes accommodations on time limits and instructions are made for disabled students. (EdSource)
Student teacher: A teacher in training who is in the last semester of a teacher education program. Student teachers work with a regular teacher who supervises their practice teaching.
Supplement v. Supplant: The district is required to fund the core program for all its students. Additional state and federal funds may only be used to purchase items that supplement the core program for the targeted group of students. These funds may not be used to replace or supplant the district's spending on the core program. For example, state and federal funds may be used to purchase reading materials that supplement the required textbook for the targeted group of students; state and federal funds may not be used to replace (or supplant) the textbook for all students.
Team teaching: A teaching method in which two or more teachers teach the same subjects or theme. The teachers may alternate teaching the entire group or divide the group into sections or classes that rotate between the teachers.
Tenure: A system of due process and employment guarantee for teachers. After serving a two-year probationary period, teachers are assured continued employment in the school district unless carefully defined procedures for dismissal or layoff are successfully followed. (EdSource)
Title I: A federal program that provides funds to improve the academic achievement for educationally disadvantaged students who score below the 50th percentile on standardized tests, including the children of migrant workers. (EdSource)
Tracking: A common instructional practice of organizing student in groups based on their academic skills. Tracking allows a teacher to provide the same level of instruction to the entire group.
TSA: Teacher on Special Assignment. SFUSD gives this designation to a teacher assigned to a non-classroom, non-school site position.
UASF: United Administrators of San Francisco. This union represents site administrators.
UBC: Union Building Committee. This committee is the officially elected representative body for teachers and paraprofessionals, as defined in Section 25 of the SFUSD-UESF Contract.
UESF: United Educators of San Francisco. This union represents teachers and paraprofessionals. It is a local of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), and the National Education Assosication (NEA). The UESF can provide the following resources to a school site:
USP: Urban Systemic Program, funded by the National Science Foundation.
WAD: Weekly Administrative Directive. SFUSD sends this information bulletin to school sites each week.
WASC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges. A professional association that oversees the accreditation process for high schools.
Williams v. California: A lawsuit filed in 2000 that argued that the state has a constitutional duty to ensure basic educational equality, and contended that California has failed in that duty by not providing thousands of students in public schools with "bare minimum necessities," defined as textbooks, trained teachers, and safe, clean, uncrowded facilities. The lawsuit further argued that low-income students and students of color are the most likely to bear the burden of inadequate resources. (EdSource)
WSF: Weighted Student Formula. SFUSD's method of distributing resources to schools. Under the WSF, each school site receives a budget denominated in dollars instead of staff positions, and decides which staff and non-staff items to purchase with these dollars.