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Education & School Terms Glossary (A–Z)

Plain-language definitions for school systems, learning support, accommodations, and education planning.

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Welcome

School language can feel confusing — this makes it clearer

This glossary explains the words you might hear in schools, reports, meetings, and learning plans. It’s designed for students, parents, whānau, and educators.

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Tip: Search the word you saw on a report or in an email.

Content note: Some terms relate to behaviour, discipline, exclusion, learning difficulties, and wellbeing. Definitions are calm and educational.

Supports & accommodations (quick ideas)

Supports can include: reduced workload, extra time, sensory supports, visual schedules, movement breaks, assistive technology, and clear step-by-step instructions.

Extra time Movement breaks Visual schedule Chunking tasks Quiet space Assistive tech

School meeting prep (mini guide)

Helpful questions: “What support is available?” “What’s the goal?” “How will progress be tracked?” “Who is the point person?” “What adjustments can we try first?”

Write notes Ask for minutes Bring an advocate
A

Letter A

Accommodation
A change to reduce barriers and support learning access.Example: “Extra time on tests is an accommodation.”
Adaptation
Changing how learning is delivered or demonstrated (sometimes bigger than an accommodation).Example: “Using pictures instead of long written instructions.”
Attendance plan
A plan to support a student who struggles to attend school regularly.Example: “Gradual return with shorter days.”
Assistive technology
Tools that help learning (speech-to-text, reading apps, timers).Example: “Text-to-speech helps me read long passages.”
B

Letter B

Baseline data
Starting information about current skills/needs used to track progress.Example: “We recorded reading level before interventions.”
Behaviour plan
A plan to support behaviour through skills, structure, and safety.Example: “The plan focuses on triggers and calming strategies.”
Bullying
Repeated harm, intimidation, or exclusion in person or online.Example: “Bullying can impact learning and wellbeing.”
C

Letter C

Classroom accommodations
Supports used in class to reduce barriers.Example: “Preferential seating and movement breaks.”
Chunking
Breaking work into smaller steps.Example: “Do questions 1–3, then take a break.”
Curriculum
What students are expected to learn at each year level.Example: “Math curriculum includes number, algebra, and statistics.”
Case conference
A meeting with school + family + professionals to plan supports.Example: “We met to align goals across home and school.”
D

Letter D

Differentiation
Teaching that adapts to different learners’ needs.Example: “Same topic, different levels of support.”
Discipline
Rules and consequences in school; should be fair and supportive.Example: “Restorative approaches focus on repair.”
Disability support
Services or funding that helps students access education.Example: “Teacher aide support for structured learning.”
E

Letter E

Education plan
A documented plan for goals, supports, and progress tracking.Example: “We reviewed the plan each term.”
Equity
Fair support based on need (not the same for everyone).Example: “Equity means giving what helps each student succeed.”
Exclusion
Being removed from school (temporarily or longer) due to behaviour/safety issues.Example: “Exclusion decisions should include support planning.”
Engagement
Participation in learning (attention, interest, involvement).Example: “Engagement improved with visual supports.”
F

Letter F

Formative assessment
Checking learning during the process (not just at the end).Example: “Quick quizzes to guide teaching.”
Functional behaviour assessment (FBA)
Looking at what behaviour communicates and what triggers it.Example: “We identified noise as a trigger.”
Funding
Money/resources allocated to support learning needs.Example: “Funding may support teacher aide hours.”
G

Letter G

Giftedness
Advanced ability in one or more areas; can coexist with learning needs.Example: “Twice-exceptional students can be gifted and disabled.”
Goal setting
Creating clear learning goals and steps.Example: “We set a goal to improve reading fluency.”
Guidance counsellor
School staff who supports wellbeing, learning, and planning.Example: “Counsellor helped with attendance anxiety.”
H

Letter H

Homework adjustments
Changes to homework expectations to reduce overload.Example: “Shortened tasks with clear instructions.”
Health plan (school)
A plan for medical needs during school (meds, emergencies, supports).Example: “Plan includes migraine supports and rest breaks.”
High needs support
Intensive support required to access learning safely and consistently.Example: “High needs may include communication supports.”
I

Letter I

IEP (Individual Education Plan)
A personalised plan with goals, supports, and review steps.Example: “The IEP includes reading goals and sensory supports.”
Inclusion
Ensuring students belong and participate meaningfully.Example: “Inclusion means access + belonging, not just attendance.”
Intervention
Targeted support to build a specific skill (reading, maths, behaviour).Example: “Daily literacy intervention for 20 minutes.”
J

Letter J

Justice (restorative)
Approach focusing on repair, accountability, and relationships.Example: “Restorative conversations after conflict.”
Joint meeting
Meeting with multiple services (school, health, support agencies).Example: “A joint meeting helps align plans.”
K

Letter K

Kaupapa (cultural framework)
A guiding approach grounded in values and culture (NZ context).Example: “Support can be shaped by whānau values.”
Key competencies
Core skills like thinking, relating to others, self-management (NZ context language).Example: “Self-management includes planning and resilience.”
L

Letter L

Learning support
Services and strategies that help students access learning.Example: “Learning support includes accommodations and interventions.”
Learning plan
A plan to guide supports (can be formal or informal).Example: “A short plan helps new teachers understand needs.”
Learning difficulty
Challenges learning skills; may be temporary or long-term.Example: “Reading difficulties can need structured support.”
M

Letter M

Mainstream classroom
General education setting with peers of the same age group.Example: “Supports can be provided in a mainstream class.”
Modifications
Changing learning expectations (not just access) to match need.Example: “Modified tasks may focus on key concepts.”
Multi-sensory learning
Teaching using multiple senses (visual, auditory, hands-on).Example: “Using blocks to teach maths.”
N

Letter N

Needs assessment
Identifying learning needs to plan appropriate support.Example: “Assessment helped clarify reading support needs.”
Neurodiversity-affirming
Approach that supports differences without shame or “fixing.”Example: “Affirming support focuses on access and strengths.”
O

Letter O

Occupational therapy (school)
Support for regulation, motor skills, routines, and participation.Example: “OT helped with handwriting fatigue.”
Oral language
Speaking and listening skills supporting literacy and learning.Example: “Oral language supports reading comprehension.”
Orientation
Support for starting a new school or class transition.Example: “Orientation visits reduced anxiety.”
P

Letter P

Personalised learning
Learning tailored to the student’s needs, strengths, and goals.Example: “Choice-based tasks support motivation.”
Provision
The supports a school provides (staff, programmes, accommodations).Example: “Provision includes a teacher aide and learning plan.”
Peer support
Support from classmates (buddy systems, peer mentoring).Example: “Peer support helped with transitions.”
Progress monitoring
Tracking progress regularly to adjust supports.Example: “We checked reading growth every 4 weeks.”
Q

Letter Q

Quiet space
A calm area for regulation, recovery, or sensory breaks.Example: “I use the quiet space when overwhelmed.”
Quality teaching
Teaching that is clear, structured, inclusive, and responsive.Example: “Predictable routines support quality teaching.”
R

Letter R

Reasonable adjustments
Changes to reduce barriers so a student can access learning.Example: “Alternative seating is a reasonable adjustment.”
Reading intervention
Targeted programme to build reading skills.Example: “Structured literacy intervention.”
Referral
Request to involve a specialist or service for support.Example: “We made a referral for speech therapy.”
Resourcing
Allocation of staff/time/materials to support learning needs.Example: “Resourcing included extra aide hours.”
S

Letter S

SENCO / Learning Support Coordinator
Staff member coordinating learning support plans and services.Example: “The coordinator organised the IEP meeting.”
Scaffolding
Support provided to help a learner succeed, gradually removed over time.Example: “Sentence starters helped writing.”
Sensory supports
Tools to reduce sensory overload (headphones, fidgets, lighting changes).Example: “Noise-cancelling headphones improved focus.”
Special assessment conditions
Adjustments for tests/exams to improve access.Example: “Separate room and extra time.”
T

Letter T

Teacher aide
Support staff who helps with learning, routines, safety, or participation.Example: “Aide supported transitions and reading tasks.”
Transition plan
A plan for moving classes/schools or returning after absence.Example: “Transition plan included visits and a visual schedule.”
Trauma-informed practice
Teaching approach prioritising safety, choice, and predictability.Example: “Clear routines support trauma-informed practice.”
U

Letter U

Universal design for learning (UDL)
Designing learning to work for many learners from the start.Example: “Options for reading, writing, and showing learning.”
Upskilling
Building skills through practice and teaching (student or staff).Example: “Staff upskilling in neurodiversity-affirming practice.”
V

Letter V

Visual supports
Pictures/visual tools that support understanding and routines.Example: “A visual timetable helped reduce anxiety.”
Vocational pathway
Learning/work pathway preparing for employment skills.Example: “Vocational pathway included hands-on learning.”
W

Letter W

Wellbeing (school)
Emotional, mental, and social health affecting learning access.Example: “Wellbeing supports improved engagement.”
Whānau
Family/support network (NZ context).Example: “Whānau involvement supports consistent planning.”
Workload adjustment
Changing amount of work to reduce overload and improve access.Example: “Shorter tasks with the same learning goal.”
X

Letter X

eXtra time
Additional time for tasks or exams as an access support.Example: “Extra time helped reduce processing pressure.”
Y

Letter Y

Year level expectations
Typical learning goals for a student’s year group.Example: “We adapted tasks to match access needs.”
Youth supports
Support services and school roles focused on youth wellbeing and learning.Example: “Youth worker support helped with school re-engagement.”
Z

Letter Z

Zone of regulation
A way to describe emotional/energy states and regulation strategies.Example: “I’m in the red zone — I need calming tools.”
Zero shame approach
Support focused on needs, not blame or punishment.Example: “We use a zero shame approach to learning support.”