Demystifying Educational Acronyms

Have you ever gone to parent-teacher conferences and been confused by the acronyms? Maybe someone asked you, “Do you want to assist the PTA in raising funds for the ELL program so that they could invest in PLATO to fulfill NCLB?” If you can understand this, you’re probably a teacher.

Just in case you’re not, the above sentence written out with an explanation of the acronyms is “Do you want to assist the Parent-Teacher Association in raising funds for the English Language Learners’ program so that they could invest in PLATO, a computer-based alternative to coursework, to fulfill No Child Left Behind law.”

Having been a teacher for several years, I have observed that some acronyms stick around while others fade. One example is NCLB or No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. Once the NCLB laws are replaced with a newer political program, the acronym will be . . . left behind. Even ISTEP, Indiana’s state test which has been around for at least six years, will soon fade into educational oblivion as another local test replaces it. On the other hand, AP or Advanced Placement, has a longevity dating back to the late “80″s even though Indiana University’s ACP-Advance College Project-stands as its biggest threat in the midwest.

The list I’ve put together below is not exhaustive. These are just some of the most commonly used that I hear frequently.

State Testing Acronyms

By following the Wikipedia link below, you will see that nearly 40 states have acronyms for their state test. Several states even have multiple tests, each with its own acronym. 

College-Bound Acronyms

AP -Advanced Placement

This term covers a large variety of classes-from science and calculus to English composition and foreign languages and much more-that can be taken in high school for college-level credit. Students in an AP class take a standardized test in May; a score of 3, 4, or 5 (out of 5) will typically earn 3 college credits.

ACP – Advance College Project

The more recently developed competitor to AP, IU Bloomington professors train English teachers how to teach their freshman college English language and literature courses so that students can achieve credit and a grade as a senior in high school.

SAT -formerly Scholastic Aptitude Test and Scholastic Assessment Test (now it’s

technically called “SAT Reasoning Test)

The SAT is a widely used standardized test produced by the College Board. College-bound juniors and seniors must take the test for college admission standards. High schools are often evaluated on basis of their SAT results.

ACT – originally stood for American College Testing Program, Inc., but in 1996 it simply

became ACT Inc.

This is very similar to the SAT, except that the tests are slightly different, and therefore, offers another option for college-bound seniors.

Testing Software (“In-House”/Local)

NWEA – the Northwest Evaluation Association

The NWEA seems to be used widely in Indiana to evaluate student abilities before and after a class. The assessment tool is often used to determine whether or not there is academic growth.

STAR – Standardized Test for the Assessment of Reading (though the “STAR” assessment tool software has now branched out to include math and literacy in addition to reading)

The STAR evaluation tool is similar to the NWEA, but also gives a more accurate reading level in order to help the student connect to books at his or her lexile.

Other School Acronyms

GED – General Education Development (test)

This test demonstrates that those who pass it have the equivalent of a high school education.

PTA – Parent-Teacher Association

This is the parent-led organization that supports teacher endeavors, such as funding for fieldtrips, classroom volunteers, and many other supplementary programs.

NCLB – No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

This is the common name of Public Law 107-110 in which the government increased educational funding in order that no student slip through the educational school system without achieving. Individual states set their standards and assessment tools for their students.

GEI -General Education Intervention

Similar to an intervention team that one might see on television, this group of teachers, guidance counselors, and principals meets with parents and their child in order to establish a plan for more academic success.

Technical Acronyms

CBT – computer-based training

PLATO software- originally this meant Programmed Logic for Automated Teaching Operations

This software package is commonly used to remediate students who fail the state test. It also is used as a credit retrieval course, especially in alternative schools, but often “in house” as well.

Language Acquisition Acronyms

ESL – English as a Second Language students

ELL – English Language Learners

LEP – Limited English Proficiency students