COMMON TESTING TERMINOLOGY

SAT

Scholastic Assessment Test

The SAT is a standardized test commonly used as part of the college admissions process.

ACT

American College Testing

The ACT is another option for a standardized test commonly used as part of the college admissions process.

PSAT/ NMSQT

Preliminary SAT/ National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test

The PSAT/NMSQT is a standardized practice test for the SAT and serves as a qualifier for certain scholarship opportunities. 

AP

Advanced Placement

AP tests are standardized college-level tests that assess the mastery of content from the associated AP course, they also can serve to determine college credit or course placement.

STAAR

State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness

STAAR is the standardized test used in the state of Texas to measure student learning in specific grades or content areas. 

STAAR ALT

STAAR Alternate

STAAR Alt is the standardized test used in the state of Texas to measure learning in specific grades or content areas for students with significant cognitive disabilities as determined by an ARD committee.

TELPAS

Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System

TELPAS is an assessment program for students in Texas public schools who are learning the English language.

TELPAS ALT

TELPAS Alternate

TELPAS Alt is an assessment program in Texas public schools for students who are learning the English language, and who have a significant cognitive disability as determined by an ARD committee.

TAMS

Texas Assessment Management System

TAMS is the online platform that holds information about STAAR and TELPAS testing both in general, and specific to your student (ex: About the STAAR test, View Student Scores, etc.).

SSD

Services for Students with Disabilities

SSD is the program used by College Board to manage services for students with disabilities, including accommodation requests. 

EOC

End of Course Test

EOC tests assess students for mastery of the TEKS of the associated course, are tied to an associated STAAR test, and count towards their state testing requirements for graduation (ex: English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology, and U.S. History)

IGC

Individual Graduation Committee

An IGC is a meeting to determine graduation qualification that is held for students who have not met their EOC state testing requirements. There are pre-requisite requirements for the student to complete prior to the meeting, and the meeting usually includes the student, a parent/ guardian, an administrator, a teacher(s) of record, and other education professionals.

ARD

Admission, Review, and Dismissal

An ARD is a meeting used to determine the eligibility and need for students that qualify for SPED services. The ARD committee usually consists of the student, a parent/ guardian, an administrator, the monitor teacher, teacher(s) of record, and other education professionals.

504

Section 504 Plan 

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act covers students who don't meet the criteria for special education, but who still require some accommodations due to a disability. 

IEP

Individualized Education Program

An IEP is a written legal document that lays out the program of  instruction, supports, and services a specific student needs to make progress and thrive in school.

LEP

Limited English Proficient

LEP is a classification program meant to support English language learners.

Accommodations

Accommodations are tools documented and assigned to specific students by a set of education professionals, and are meant to address the specific needs of that student. These tools are assessed frequently for effectiveness and need, and the student must benefit from the use of the assigned procedures or materials during regular classroom instruction

Designated Supports (DS)

DS is another word to describe accommodations.

Accessibility Feature

Accessibility features are tools available to ANY student, within reason, who regularly benefit from the use of the procedures or materials during regular classroom instruction.