Waunakee Community School District
Education Acronyms, Abbreviations, & Jargon
I. GENERAL
WCSD - Waunakee Community School District
Arboretum Elementary School (Arb) – Grades Pre-K-4
Heritage Elementary School (Her) - Grades Pre K-4
Prairie Elementary School – (Pr)Grades Pre K-4
Waunakee Community Intermediate School (IS) - Grades 5-6
Waunakee Community Middle School (MS) - Grades 7-8
Waunakee Community High School (HS) - Grades 9-12
ACT - A national test administered to high school students. This exam is required for students that desire to attend college in Wisconsin.
Ad Hoc Committees - Exploratory district committees which are formed to complete an assigned task, file reports, then disband.
ALP - (Active Learning Program) A program that targets at-risk students helping them to be successful in high school.
Articulation - Agreement between University/technical College and the district for dual credit with special courses.
CESA (Cooperative Education Service Agency) - Regional agency made up of school districts to work together on staff development and provide joint services. Waunakee is in CESA 2 (office: Milton).
Community Education - A philosophy which emphasizes a belief that the resources of a school district should be used to their fullest by residents of all ages and that learning is a lifelong activity. It promotes the idea the individuals, schools, businesses, private and public agencies and government can work together to improve the quality of life for local citizens. It promotes lifelong learning, extended use of school facilities, coordinated use of area resources, citizen decision-making and community involvement with the K-12 program to improve education.
Cooperative Learning - An instructional delivery in which student work on small groups to learn and solve problems.
Criterion-Based Tests (CRT) - Test administered in a course based on identification of previously identified skills that are taught.
DPI - Department of Public Instruction (State of Wisconsin)
EAP - Employee Assistance Program - A program designed to address employee needs.
ELL – English Language Learner – Previously called ESL (English as a Second Language) – This is a program for students with a language other than English or their predominate language.
ESEA (Elementary & Secondary Education Act) - Federal entitlement funding program (Out district received limited funding in Title II, III, IV). Each Title program has a specific purpose (E.g., Title IV is for drug-free schools). Also sometimes called Consolidated Grants.
GEDO II – Graduation Equivalency Diploma Option II allows authorized school districts to use the GED test battery to measure proficiency in lieu of high school credit for students enrolled in an alternative education program. A student who passes the GED tests and completes the additional district requirements outlined in the Waunakee GEDO #2 contract is entitled to a traditional high school diploma.
Flexible Grouping - Grouping of students for various purposes and needs of students for specific short-term skill development such as fifth grade addition of fraction or a trade book. Some types include ability, interest, topic, random, etc.
Heterogeneous - Grouping without regard to demonstrated ability. K-6 student homerooms are grouped this way. However, flexible grouping by ability does occur depending upon the skill levels of individual students.
Homogeneous - Grouping according to like characteristics. Ability grouping of students. Some homogenous groups are operating in the high school. (Some examples would be AP English & Calculus)
Horizons - Waunakee Community Middle School at-risk program
LMTC (Learning Materials/Technology Center) - Formerly called libraries and IMCs. In schools today, they are more of a resource/research area for students than purely a place to check out books. Often included are computer terminals, research center, video/audio machines, satellite TV transmission.
LVEC (Local Vocational Education Coordinator) - Individual who coordinates vocational education programs.
MAP (Measure Academic Progress) – District testing initiative. It is a computerized testing system for grades 2-8 for math and reading. These tests are administered in the fall and spring to monitor student growth.
Mastery Learning - An instructional delivery system developed by Ben Bloom. Under this system students are re-taught if they don’t demonstrate proficiency of important skills.
MATC - Madison Area Technical College
No Child Left Behind - President Bush's federal education initiatives which includes standardized testing for students in grades 3, 8, and 10.
Norm-Referenced Tests - Standardized national tests (ACT, Terra Nova, WKCE)
Pathways Program – Waunakee Community School Districts gifted/talented enrichment program for highly talented students.
Performance Based Assessment - Student demonstration of level of proficiency for skills, behaviors, and concepts. (E.g., paper-pencil test, building a bookcase, oral report)
Program Evaluation - A process used by district to evaluate programs such as math, art, science, and computer science, etc., in a cycle of a few every year.
PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) - Waunakee has an active chapter at the K-8 level. The high school has begun the process to expand its organization as an advisory group.
Reading Resources - District programming which provides resource for teachers and direct intervention with students in grades K-12. Each building has a program that specifically meets the needs of the students and satisfies the state standards.
SAT - A national test that is administered to high school students for admittance to some universities. Only a few Waunakee students take this test. Most students take the ACT exam.
66.30 Agreement - Financial agreement between two or more school districts in which one will be the fiscal agent for a special program or activity. Our Badger Tech Prep Consortium has a 66.30 agreement in place with five other schools with DeForest being the fiscal agent.
Standing Committees - Committees are established to serve specific district/school functions. These committees are organized so as to work on tasks in their areas of responsibility.
TAG (Talented and Gifted) - A group of area educators (Dane County) dedicated to gifted and talented education.
Tech Prep - A process that includes career awareness and planning, integrates vocational and academic education, and ensures that all students possess advanced skills and training. Waunakee is part of the Badger Tech Prep Consortium of districts which includes Middleton, Sun Prairie, Mt. Horeb, Monona Grove, and DeForest.
Tracking - A management procedure for grouping or sorting students of like ability or achievement levels. Different content, informational and instructional approaches are used with different levels of ability. Variations of tracking occur at the high school as a result of student self-selection.
Tradebooks - Library books used in grades K-12 as part of the language arts/reading instruction. Examples of tradebooks: Pippi Longstockings, Red Badge of Courage, or Runaway Ralph.
VTAE - Vocational Technical Adult Education
WAEF – (Waunakee Area Education Foundation) This charitable foundation supports education projects in the Waunakee area. It awards grants which have benefited education in public and private schools and the community.
WASB- Wisconsin Association of School Boards
WASCD - Wisconsin Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development
WEAC - Wisconsin Education Association Council
WESSAS – Wisconsin Elementary & Secondary School Accounting System
WIAA - Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association
Whole Language - A philosophical approach to teaching and learning that believes that all children can learn and that the classroom be student focused, the curriculum be meaning centered, active and interactive, and that the students learn skills, concepts, strategies within a meaningful context.
WKCE (Wisconsin Knowledge & Concepts Exam) - State mandated testing of knowledge and concepts administered in grades 4, 8, and 10. Beginning in the Fall 2005, students in grades 3-8 and 10 will be tested.
WTA - Waunakee Teacher Association
II. FEDERAL PROGRAMS
Carl Perkins Funds - Federal funding for vocational education.
Title I – A federally funded program focusing on improving achievement for economically disadvantaged youth. (Waunakee receives no Title I funding because of the low poverty rate.)
Title II- The Dwight Eisenhower program is a federally funded program to provide funds for staff development and new teacher orientations and mentoring.
Title IV - AODA funding (AODA = Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse).
Title V - A federally funded program focusing on school improvement. It permits funding in such broad areas as at-risk, educational materials, innovative programs, professional staff development, programs promoting student excellence, innovative projects to improve the school’s program and climate, and reading programs to prevent illiteracy.
III. ADVISORY COMMITTEES
The Waunakee Community School District has a variety of committees made up of citizens, students, teachers, and administrators to advise the district on specific segments of the school organization.
Fine Arts - To provide advice and support for the district’s fine arts programs (music, art, drama). Members appointed by the Director of Instruction.
Human Growth & Development (HG&D) - To review/evaluate human growth and development and health curriculum annually; to file state report as required. Members appointed by the Director of Instruction.
School/Business/Industry Partnership Council - Serve as the district’s local Education for Employment advisory council. Provide for communication between local business/industry and the schools.
Academic - To Provide advice and support for the district’s vocational programs. Appointed by the Director of Instruction.
VISIONS - To annually review/recommend district’s long-range and annual goals. To provide periodic forums to address major issues of interest.
Pathways Advisory - To provide advice/support for the district’s Pathways (G/T) programs.
Community Education - To insure that the community education program serves the interests and meets the needs of all school district residents.
Technology - To provide recommendations for long and short range direction regarding technology within the district.
Special Education - To enhance understanding of services and programs for children with disabilities, discuss procedural issues, provide for community input and education, and assist in establishing program direction.
IV. DISTRICT COMMITTEES - District committees consist of district personnel.
Comprehensive Student Services Committee – To identify students needs across the district. Includes representatives of guidance, health, and Children-At-Risk.
Learning Materials and Technology Committee - To oversee/coordinate district’s instructional resources including textbooks, computer hardware/software resources, and other technologies utilized within the district.
Safety Committee - Responsibilities include: periodic inspection of buildings and implementation of plans to correct safety concerns; cooperate with district insurance carrier and DILHR in inspections and corrections; to advise the district and board facility committee in health and safety issues; and review accident reports annually.
Staff Development Council - To develop the district’s annual staff improvement plan.
Student Services - Building teams which facilitate case referral and management of all CWD and non-CWD referrals as per district timelines and procedures.
SWCC (Systemwide Curriculum Committee) - To coordinate district, curriculum and programs. To coordinate program evaluation audits. To serve as a means of disseminating information, review programs and purchase textbooks.
Technology Committee - To coordinate district plans and activities related to technology.
Testing & Assessment - To evaluate and assess district’s testing and assessment programs and provide recommendations for revisions and updates. To develop educational programs to implement changes in the testing and assessment programs.
TIERC - To implement, monitor, and modify the Teacher Incentives Program. This committee is the gourp that hears appeals from teachers regarding matter of district points.
V. SPECIAL EDUCATION TERMINOLOGY
ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) - A disorder characterized by inability to focus attention
ADHD (Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity) - A disorder characterized by inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity.
At Risk/C.A.R./Children-At-Risk - Students in danger of non-completion of high school due to deficiencies in credits, basic skills, attendance, or other factors.
Autism - Significant disorder of communication, behavior, and social skills.
CD (Cognitive Disability) – Intellectual and adaptive impairment which interferes with educational progress
DHSS (Department of Health & Social Services)
EC (Early Childhood) - Classes for 3-5 year olds determined by the IEP team to be children with disabilities.
EBD (Emotional Behavioral Disability) - Emotional, social or behavioral functioning which interferes with student educational progress.
HI (Hearing-Impairment) - Reduced auditory activity so special services are required.
IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Act) - An act passed and implemented beginning in 1990, and amended in 1997 and 2004, extending civil rights provisions to the handicapped similar to those previously provided to other minorities.
IEP (Individual Educational Program) - A written plan of goals and objectives prepared to address needs of children with disabilities.
ELL (English Language Learner) – Program to assist those with limited English.
LD (Learning Disability) - Significant discrepancy between functional achievement and expected achievement due to in-child deficit.
OHI (Other Health Impairment) - A condition or disease that interferes with an individual’s state of physical well being usually resulting in low vitality or deterioration.
OI – Orthopedically Impaired.
OT (Occupational Therapy) - Therapy to remediate small muscle problems.
PT (Physical Therapy) - Therapy to remediate large muscle problems.
SWD (Students with Disabilities) – Current designation for children with impairments who require special education services.
Section 504 – A federal law outlining the process to determine for modifications to assist students with mildly handicapping conditions.
SL (Speech & Language) - Significant delays in prelinguistic skills or the receptive or expressive skills of language or oral communication.
SPROUTS – pre-school at-risk program for students age 4.
SDD (Significant Development Delay) – Developmental delays in several major areas
TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) - Damage to brain tissue leading to impairment of the central nervous system.
VI (Visually Impairment) - Reduced visual activity to a degree that special services are required.
Developed: 8//1993
Last revised: 8/20/2007
