--- title: Education terms you may hear from lawyers description: Understanding special education legal terminology can make navigating the process easier. This list of terms lawyers use can help. slug: education-terms-you-may-hear-from-lawyers author: The Understood Team reviewer: Myrna Mandlawitz, MEd, JD published: '2019-08-05T15:54:10.825Z' thumbnail: https://cdn-images.understood.org/p0qf7j048i0q/7514E0A0B63F44A39E30FEBA36FBF339/7592e679cc374a89315e437281a325a5/146968010.jpg source_url: https://www.understood.org/en/articles/education-terms-you-may-hear-from-lawyers lang: en --- # Education terms you may hear from lawyers Kids with learning or thinking differences may have a [right to services and supports](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/finding-out-if-your-child-is-eligible-for-special-education) at school through an IEP or a 504 plan. Since navigating this process can be tricky, you might decide to consult with a lawyer at some point. And the lawyer may use terms you’ve never heard. This mini-glossary can help you understand the legal language you’re hearing. **504 plan **is a blueprint or plan for how a child will have access to education at school. It typically includes [accommodations](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/accommodations-what-they-are-and-how-they-work), and sometimes services as well. **Accommodations **are changes that give people with disabilities equal access. An example of an accommodation is an audiobook. See more examples of [accommodations that help kids with learning and thinking differences](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/classroom-accommodations-to-help-students-with-learning-and-thinking-differences). **Americans with Disabilities Act** (ADA) is a federal law that [makes it illegal to discriminate against people with disabilities](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/americans-with-disabilities-act-ada). ADA requires schools and employers to make “reasonable accommodations” so people with disabilities can fully participate at school and at work. **Due process** is a formal way to resolve special education disputes. [This process](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/due-process-rights-what-you-need-to-know) is spelled out in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. **Every Student Succeeds Act** (ESSA) is the main federal law for K–12 general education. ESSA requires annual testing for students. Under the law, states hold schools accountable for student progress within a framework provided by the federal government. Read about the [difference between ESSA and No Child Left Behind](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-difference-between-the-every-student-succeeds-act-and-no-child-left-behind), the law ESSA replaced. **Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act** (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. There are only [a few circumstances](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/ferpa-protecting-your-childs-records) in which a school can share a child’s records without a parent’s consent. **Free and appropriate public education** (FAPE) refers to the legal requirement that public schools provide eligible kids with disabilities the support and services they need (and in general education settings as much as possible). **Independent educational evaluation** (IEE) is an [outside evaluation](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/outside-evaluations-the-difference-between-private-and-independent) done by a professional who isn’t employed by the school district. In some cases, schools may pay for this outside evaluation. **Individualized Education Program** (IEP) is a [plan for a child’s special education experience at school](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understanding-individualized-education-programs). It outlines the special education and related services (such as speech therapy or counseling) the school will provide to meet a student’s individual needs. See [a chart that compares IEPs and 504 plans](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-difference-between-ieps-and-504-plans). **Individuals with Disabilities Education Act** (IDEA) is a federal law that ensures that public schools serve the educational needs of eligible students with disabilities. Find out [how IDEA protects you and your child](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/individuals-with-disabilities-education-act-idea-what-you-need-to-know). **Informed consent** is the [legal right of parents to be informed and give consent](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/informed-consent-what-it-is-and-how-it-works) before a school evaluates a child or provides special education. **Lau v. Nichols** refers to a Supreme Court decision that school districts must treat all students equally. Under this ruling, [English language learners](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understanding-learning-and-thinking-differences-in-ells) (ELLs) must get the support and resources they need. “Lau remedies” are guidelines to make sure schools follow civil rights requirements when teaching ELLs. **Least restrictive environment** (LRE) is part of IDEA, which states that public schools must educate kids with disabilities in a general education setting as much as possible. Read [more about LRE](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/least-restrictive-environment-lre-what-you-need-to-know). **Local education agency** (LEA) is the board of education or other authority that controls the public school. **Modifications **are changes in what a student is expected to learn. They may be written in a student’s IEP and can include things like a reduced number of assignments. Learn about the [difference between accommodations and modifications](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-difference-between-accommodations-and-modifications). **No Child Left Behind** (NCLB) is a federal education law that no longer exists. [NCLB](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/no-child-left-behind-nclb-what-you-need-to-know) was replaced by ESSA. **Office for Civil Rights** (OCR) is a branch of the U.S. Department of Education that investigates allegations of civil rights violations in schools. Parents can file a complaint with OCR about these violations. **Office of Special Education Programs** (OSEP) is part of the U.S. Department of Education. It oversees [Parent Training and Information Centers](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/parent-training-centers-a-free-resource) (PTIs) that educate parents about special education. **Prior written notice** is a requirement that [schools must inform parents before denying or making changes](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/prior-written-notice-your-right-to-hear-about-changes) to a child’s services or placement. **Related services** are services that help a child meet education goals, but that aren’t specialized instruction. An example of a related service is speech therapy. See [more examples of related services](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/related-services-for-kids-with-learning-and-thinking-differences-what-you-need-to-know). **Response to intervention** (RTI) is a process in which schools provide [different levels of intervention](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/3-tiers-of-rti-support) for struggling students. **Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act** is a federal civil rights law that bars discrimination against students with disabilities in schools. This law provides for [504 plans](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/what-is-a-504-plan) for students with disabilities. **Special education** refers to instruction specially designed to meet the unique needs of kids with disabilities. Get [more details on special education](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/understanding-special-education). **Special education advocate** is someone who guides parents through the special education process. The advocate can’t give legal advice or represent families in lawsuits. See a chart that shows the [difference between an advocate and an attorney](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/the-difference-between-special-education-advocates-and-attorneys). **State education agency** (SEA) is the agency that supervises public schools in each state. **“Stay put” rights** are legal protections in special education law. A school can’t change your child’s services or placement until it goes through the proper dispute resolution process. Learn [more about “stay put” rights](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/stay-put-rights-what-they-are-and-how-they-work). It’s valuable to understand terms like these when speaking to a lawyer. You may also want to check out [which laws do what](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/at-a-glance-which-laws-do-what). Studying up on [terms educators use](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/terms-teachers-use-when-kids-struggle-in-school) could also be a big help when it comes to advocating for your child, along with [IEP terms](https://www.understood.org/en/articles/iep-terms-to-know). --- ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/education-terms-you-may-hear-from-lawyers#webpage","url":"https://www.understood.org/en/articles/education-terms-you-may-hear-from-lawyers","description":"Understanding special education legal terminology can make navigating the process easier. 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