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The education world and — and NCSD — has a unique vocabulary of terms and titles. If you come across a term that's new to you, visit our glossary and acronyms page. If the word is not in the glossary, email NCSD@ncsd.k12.wy.us
Glossary of NCSD and education terms
Adult Based Learning Environment (ABLE) is designed specifically for 18-21 year old students preparing for the adult world. The Program offers community based instruction in daily living skills, community participation, post secondary education and recreational and leisure opportunities for students with mental disabilities who have completed their academic or functional life skills school programs.
American College Test (ACT) is a college-entrance assessment used by many colleges and universities.
All Ready Preschools are designed for “at-risk” 3-5 year-old children and their families. Parents must volunteer two hours per week. Students are selected based on need.
Balanced Literacy is a framework designed to instruct, support and nurture children, as they become independent readers, writers, speakers and listeners. The five basic components essential for Balanced Literacy instruction in a regular classroom are oral language (speaking and listening), reading, writing, word study (phonological and orthographic awareness) and assessment.
BASS is Behavior and Social Skills and is designed for students who require intensive social skills and coping-skills instruction and an individualized behavior plan.
Body of Evidence is information collected from teachers over multiple years in multiple courses about what a student knows and is able to do. The information comes from many sources, such as common assessments, performance reports and other classroom work.
Boys Town Social Skills is rooted in principles of applied behavior analysis and social learning theory. Its underlying premise is that behavior is learned through feedback on behavior and its environmental consequences.
Bully-proofing program teaches children how to defend themselves and others from a bully — strategies and techniques that can help a child shut a bully down. The class has weekly “meetings” where they discuss their behaviors in the classroom and on the playground, do some roleplaying if a certain problem has shown up.
Center for Academic Remediation and Enrichment (CARE) assists students who are experiencing difficulties with math, writing or reading. It is modeled after the “Every Child” program and serves about 60 students each year.
Casper Classical Academy (CCA)
Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) works in conjunction with UW/CC as a center for hosting student teachers. This program operates from Manor Heights school.
Central Services Facility (CSF) is NCSD’s administrative offices.
Challenge Day is is a nonprofit organization that conducts transformational workshops. Challenge Day teaches students about themselves and each other by building trust and teaching them how to communicate. School officials pick students they see as leaders of social groups and invite them to participate.
CISCO/Computer Network Training includes the study of basic and advanced networking concepts and will prepare students to take the Cisco Certified Networking Associate exam. The curriculum is a study of networking concepts such as the OSI model, intra-networking devices, IP addressing, LAN media and topologies, structured cabling and electronics.
Community Problem Solving Team is part of the Future Problem Solvers program. In this program, students apply their problem-solving skills to real problems in the community, school, local community, region, state or nation.
Compass is a computer program that enables teachers to manage student information and assignments in language arts and mathematics. The program is a supplemental program that reinforces and reteaches what is being taught in the regular classroom.
Congressional Award Program is about personal challenges to young Americans from the U. S. Congress. The program offers young people the opportunity to set a personal goal and work to achieve it. Along the way the student will learn about herself/himself, responsibility, citizenship and developing skills in decision making. It is a way to get more involved in something the student already enjoys.
Cooperative Integrated Reading and Composition (CIRC) is a comprehensive approach to teaching reading. Components of basal reading text series, as well as popular children’s literature, are enhanced by “treasure hunts” to help students better understand what they read. Students also write about what they have read and work in cooperative groups to share their reading and learning while building strong interpersonal and team building skills.
CORE classes are the five subjects that an interdisciplinary team of teachers teach. For example, in seventh grade the classes are English, science, history, math, and reading; in ninth grade physical education is offered rather than reading.
Core Knowledge Sequence is an outline of specific content that is taught in language arts, history, geography, mathematics, science and fine arts. It is a curriculum sequence that brings learning alive and enriches the district’s curriculum.
Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) is a drug-abuse-prevention education program designed to equip children with knowledge about drug abuse, the consequences of abuse and skills for resisting peer pressure to experiment with drugs, alcohol and tobacco. This unique program uses uniformed law enforcement officers to teach a formal curriculum to students in a classroom setting.
Destination Imagination is a problem-solving club that gives kids a chance to expand on the skill and knowledge they have learned in school, albeit in a non-traditional way.
Differentiated instruction provides multiple opportunities children within the same classroom. Once students have mastered the skill, they move to the next skill. It means having classroom diversity and an effort to meet students where they are academically as opposed to where the whole group is academically.
Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) works with the business community to integrate academic achievement with career and technical skills.
D.R.U.M.ming Circle is an auditioned group of fourth- and fifth-graders interested in the art of hand drumming. The music presented by this performance-based group has evolved from a purely African sound to multi-cultural and improvisationally inspired presentations. No experience is needed; just the desire and commitment to adapt to the group's philosophy of discipline, respect, and unity to create the best music possible. The circle is held at Evansville school.
ECORE refers to a student’s elective and exploratory teachers.
• Elective means the student “elects” or “chooses” to take the course. Ninth-grade students choose electives.
• In seventh grade, all of the students take exploratories, including a brief introductory session of art, music, physical education, technology, foods, sewing, Spanish, French, computer and other classes in six-week blocks. Students are required to “taste” all offerings before they begin to specialize in particular areas. In eighth grade, students choose half of their electives and are assigned exploratory courses, which are physical education, writing extensions and computer skills.
EFAP (See Three Trails Employee and Family Assistance Program)
Enrichment programs give students extra challenges outside of the classroom. Activities for elementary students may include competitions, acceleration, self-selected study through independent research, clubs and thematic exploration of topics. Secondary students have access to a variety of programs and opportunities to motivate and advance learning. These programs may include college classes for dual credit, acceleration, clubs of interest or special programming. Some schools have a block schedule, which enhances opportunities for students to advance at an individual pace.
eQualz is a computer game that uses the four basic arithmetic operations. eQualz features a square board with various premium-valued squares spread liberally about on which students can play equations formed from a selection of tiles. The more complex the equations, and the more intricately they can be made to intertwine with existing equations, the greater the score.
Every Day Counts Calendar Math helps students construct math understanding at an individual pace through continuous exposure through all grade levels to critical math concepts including place value, measurement, time, money, mental math, geometry, estimation, patterns and functions and graphing and statistics.
Fort Caspar Academy is FCA.
Functional Life Skills (FLS) Class is for students who need functional academics and functional self management. Emphasis is on basic/functional academics, independent living skills and behavior management as it applies to the student's disability
Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is a nonprofit education association of students preparing for careers in business and business-related fields.
Future Farmers of America Club (FFA) seeks to makes a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Future Homemakers of America Club (FHA) helps youths to assume active roles in society through education in family life, vocational preparation and personal growth.
FLES is formal study of a foreign language in the elementary school that permits students to enter a middle school or junior high language program at an intermediate level.
Full Inclusion means that almost 100 percent of special education students are in regular education classrooms each period with additional support in the regular education setting. Students are not pulled from regular classes for special education classes.
Gifted and Talented Program is for students who need challenges beyond the regular classroom. The GT program has self-contained classrooms for these students.
Head Start is a federally funded pre-school for 4- and most 5-year olds. There is a Head Start office at North Casper Elementary School and one downtown. When children turn 5 they can no longer be part of the program.
Helping One Student To Succeed (HOSTS) is a remedial reading program for students in grades 1-6. Mentors spend half an hour, four times per week, tutoring individual students with problems reading at their grade level. Diagnostic testing allows an individualized program to be developed to meet each student’s needs.
Individualized Education Program (IEP). Each IEP must be designed for one student and must be a truly individualized document. The IEP creates an opportunity for teachers, parents, school administrators, related services personnel, and students (when appropriate) to work together to improve educational results for children with disabilities. The IEP is the cornerstone of a quality education for each child with a disability.
An Intensive Life Skills (ILS) class is designed for students who may be medically and/or technologically dependent on using life support equipment which may include invasive procedures such as feeding tubes, tracheotomies, catheters, respirators, or other central lines, who are intermittently hospitalized, homebound, or institutionalized, require adult assistance in order to attempt or complete tasks. The majority of the student's educational program is therapy based and their primary educational need is to provide safety, comfort, quality of life, and provision of personal care.
International Baccalaureate Programme is a comprehensive, rigorous two-year curriculum for highly motivated students in grades 11 and 12, resulting in an internationally acclaimed high school diploma that is recognized by universities world wide.
Josten’s Learning Lab/CCC are computer-managed instruction labs that help teachers to individualize student learning, particularly in reading and math. Students can work at their own level and at their own pace and spend 30 to 90 minutes per week in the lab. The lab also provides enrichment by allowing students who have mastered grade-level skills to explore higher level activities in social studies and science.
Junior Great Books is a series of quality literature anthologies. It is used as a part of our reading program. The training teaches higher level questioning and discussion techniques.
Key Club is a service program for high school students that teaches leadership through serving others. Members of the Kiwanis International family, Key Club members build themselves as they build their schools and communities.
Kiwanis Eager Readers is a program in which members of the Casper Kiwanis Club read to children.
Literacy First works with Balanced Literacy to provide more structure, professional development and assessment in reading.
Math bowl is an NCSD competition similar to a spelling bee except it deals with math concepts.
Math Wings emphasizes the improvement of instructional strategies of all teachers, using well-structured student materials and extensive teacher training.
Middle level philosophy, in general terms, states that successful schools embrace the following components: interdisciplinary teaming, advisory programs, varied instruction with academic rigor, exploratory programs and transition programs. Among other things, middle level schools create smaller learning environments within a larger school setting so that teachers and students can begin to form close associations with their peers.
Montessori Program provides a child-centered, developmentally appropriate, multi-aged education. As part of the American Montessori program, it follows the scientific observations and educational methodology of Dr. Maria Montessori. Specialized materials are used to reinforce educational concepts and provide a deepening of abstract thought. The curriculum is presented as an integrated whole and meets state and district standards. In this enriched environment, the children are allowed to pursue interests in all areas and to whatever levels they seek.
National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society recognize outstanding high school and middle-level students. More than just an honor roll, NHS and NJHS serve to honor those who have demonstrated excellence in scholarship, leadership, service and character (and citizenship for NJHS).
Natural Helpers is a peer-helping service organization.
Parent-Community Advisory Council (PCAC) is a group of people whose goal is to work with the school district and community to support high-quality education for all students. PCAC meets on a regular basis with administrators and other NCSD staff to ask questions, discover answers, voice concerns, and formulate possible solutions. PCAC meets once a month during the lunch hour.
Percentile is a way of reporting test results. Percentiles range from 1 to 99, with 50 indicating the average. Rankings are determined by comparing each student’s performance on the test with that of the norm group. If a student performed as well as or better on the test than 65 percent of the norm group, he or she has scored at the 65th percentile.
Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) is a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test. It also gives students a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs.
Proficiency Assessments for Wyoming Students (PAWS) is an assessment system that is aligned with Wyoming content and performance standards. It will presents a palette of information that will allow schools and the District to focus on individual student growth and performance.
Reaching Up and Reaching Higher is a one-on-one reading tutoring program. At-risk students receive 10 weeks of one-on-one tutoring.
Reading 180 is a reading-intervention program proven to dramatically boost the reading skills of older students who read below grade level. READ 180 is a research-based teaching tool designed to deliver individualized, adjusted reading instruction to move students to grade level; provide practice and application of skills in multiple contexts to increase achievement; and support and motivate students as they progress toward becoming lifelong readers and learners.
Read Across America was initially created as a one-day event to celebrate reading on Dr. Seuss's birthday, March 2. It has grown into a nationwide initiative that promotes reading every day.
Read Naturally combines three research-proven strategies to develop the reading fluency of students.
Reading Recovery is a “preventive strategy designed to reduce dramatically the number of children with reading and writing difficulties in an education system” (Clay, 1987). First-grade children who are identified as being most “at risk” of learning to read and write are selected for individual lessons. After children are able to work at the average level of their class, they leave the program (usually 12 to 20 weeks). The program works in cooperation with regular classroom reading instruction. It does not stand alone.
Rebecca Sitton Spelling focuses on three strong practice elements that target the program's objective: to help students become confident, strategic spellers in their everyday writing.
Rotary Readers is a program in which members of the Casper Rotary read to children.
Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) provides individuals with the tools, training and experiences they need to become officers in the military.
Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) provides mentors who read with students.
Safe Schools Suspension Lab (SSSL) is an NCSD program designed to eliminate out-of-school suspensions for first- through 12th-graders. This program, affiliated with all district schools, provides a very structured environment. Close communication with the students’ teachers, and home school are maintained. Students complete their assigned work with academic assistance from three certified teachers, one of that is a special education teacher, and two teaching assistants.
Saxon Mathematics is a structured mathematics program that allows teachers to incorporate teaching methods into their instruction. Manipulatives provide students “hands- on” learning experiences and planned repetition and practice, so that students are successful in mastering math concepts.
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) is a standardized test that measures the critical thinking, mathematical reasoning and writing skills that students need to do college-level work.
Scholastic Reader is a computerized reading and assessment program.
Students Against Drunk Driving club (SADD)
Service Employees Independent Organization (SEIO) is an NCSD employee association that represents certain classified workers.
Seventh Orientation and Round-up (SOAR)
Shurley English gives children the steps necessary to relate a definition to a concept, a concept to a skill practice, and a skill practice to writing and editing.
Six Traits Writing is a program that teaches the six elements in writing and how to grade a students’ writing according to those traits with a rubric.
SKILLS USA promotes leadership skills through hands-on student competition.
Soar to Success a research-based reading intervention program for students in grades three through eight who are reading significantly below grade level. It is a small-group model that uses motivating literature, reciprocal teaching and graphic organizers in fast-paced lessons to help students accelerate their reading growth.
Spalding is a language arts approach that incorporates listening, handwriting, phonics spelling and writing skills. This multi-sensory approach has proven successful with all types of students.
Special Education Services Center (SESC)
Star Literacy is a computerized assessment of student reading and language skills that help give teachers additional and specific knowledge about a child.
Step up to Writing strategies help students in multiple settings become successful writers. In general education, special education, English as a Second Language and Gifted and Talented programs alike, the writing process is demystified. Because content materials lend themselves to teaching critical thinking, Step Up to Writing shows students how to find the logic and relationship of ideas in their textbook reading.
Success for All Reading is a school-wide restructuring program for students in preschool through sixth grade. The idea behind the program is to organize resources to focus on prevention and early intervention to ensure that virtually every student will succeed in reading throughout the elementary grades. This program provides schools with research-based curriculum materials; extensive professional development in proven strategies for instruction, assessment and classroom management; one-to-one tutoring for children who need it; and active family support approaches.
Teen Court is a program used to educate students about the workings of the judicial system. Peers do not determine guilt or innocence, but they do listen to cases in which their peers have violated school rules and have agreed to go to Teen Court and accept the resulting decision of their peers. Guilt already has been admitted by a defendant who appears before a teen court.
Thematic Teaching
Three Trails Employee and Family Assistance Program is a unique community-based partnership of local employers and employees. EFAP emphasizes prevention and early intervention. Providing professional help early can prevent more serious problems later. Through counseling and education, EFAP promotes ways to achieve emotional well-being and a healthy lifestyle.
Title I is a federal program that aims to improve the academic achievement of the economically disadvantaged. The purpose is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on state academic achievement standards and state academic assessments.
Wyoming Comprehensive Assessment System (WyCAS)
Wyoming School Board Association (WSBA)
Wyoming School for the Deaf (WSD)
Young Authors is a statewide program sponsored by the Wyoming State Reading Council. At the local level, it is sponsored by the Casper Reading Council and the Natrona County School District. The purpose of the program is to promote writing in our district and in our state. Students participate in a school competition, and those winners participate in the district competition. There are three categories; fiction, non-fiction and poetry. One winner and two honorable mentions per category per grade level are honored at the district level and state level.
Youth Empowerment Council (YEC) | |
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