Glossary
The education field is so full of acronyms and specialized words that it can seem like a confusing alphabet soup! Find out what AYP, IEP, 504, and many other abbreviations and words mean in this glossary of frequently used terms.
- decoding
- The ability to translate a word from print to speech, usually by employing knowledge of sound-symbol correspondences. It is also the act of deciphering a new word by sounding it out.
- Developmental Aphasia
- A severe language disorder that is presumed to be due to brain injury rather than because of a developmental delay in the normal acquisition of language.
- developmental spelling
- The use of letter-sound relationship information to attempt to write words (also called invented spelling)
- Dialogue Journal
- A type of writing in which students make entries in a notebook on topics of their choice, to which the teacher responds, modeling effective language but not overtly correcting the student's language (O'Malley & Valdez-Pierce, 1996, p.238).
- Differentiated Instruction
- An approach to teaching that includes planning out and executing various approaches to content, process, and product. Differentiated instruction is used to meet the needs of student differences in readiness, interests, and learning needs.
- Digital Literacy
- Digital literacy is the ability to effectively navigate, evaluate, and generate information using digital technology (e.g. computers, software, digital devices, and the Internet).
- direct instruction
- An instructional approach to academic subjects that emphasizes the use of carefully sequenced steps that include demonstration, modeling, guided practice, and independent application.
- direct vocabulary learning
- Explicit instruction in both the meanings of individual words and word-learning strategies. Direct vocabulary instruction aids reading comprehension.
- Domain-Specific Words and Phrases*
- Vocabulary specific to a particular field of study (domain), such as the human body (CCSS, p. 33); in the Standards, domain-specific words and phrases are analogous to Tier Three words (Language, p. 33).
- Dominant language
- The dominant language is the language with which a bilingual or multilingual speaker has greatest proficiency and/or uses more often. See primary language.
- Dual language program/Dual immersion
- Also known as two-way immersion or two-way bilingual education, these programs are designed to serve both language minority and language majority students concurrently. Two language groups are put together and instruction is delivered through both languages. For example, in the U.S., native English-speakers might learn Spanish as a foreign language while continuing to develop their English literacy skills and Spanish-speaking ELLs learn English while developing literacy in Spanish. The goals of the program are for both groups to become biliterate, succeed academically, and develop cross-cultural understanding. See the ERIC Two-way Online Resource Guide or the NCELA publication, Biliteracy for a Global Society.
- dyscalculia
- A severe difficulty in understanding and using symbols or functions needed for success in mathematics.
For more information, go to Dyscalculia. - dysgraphia
- A severe difficulty in producing handwriting that is legible and written at an age-appropriate speed.
For more information, go to What is Dysgraphia? - dyslexia
- A language-based disability that affects both oral and written language. It may also be referred to as reading disability, reading difference, or reading disorder.
For more information, go to Dyslexia Basics. - dysnomia
- A marked difficulty in remembering names or recalling words needed for oral or written language.
- dyspraxia
- A severe difficulty in performing drawing, writing, buttoning, and other tasks requiring fine motor skill, or in sequencing the necessary movements.
For more information, go to Dyspraxia.
These terms and definitions were collected from the following sources: Dr. Jean Lokerson, ERIC Digest; Southwest Educational Laboratory (SEDL); Dr. Linda Wilmshurst and Dr. Alan Brue, A Parent's Guide to Special Education, American Management Association, 2005; The Partnership for Reading; Learning Disabilities Council; Dr. Don Deshler, University of Kansas.
*Source: Common Core State Standards. National Governors Association Center for Best Practices, Council of Chief State School Officers, 2010.