ADA - “Average Daily Allotment,” as related to the money received per student per
instructional day. Sometimes the term “FTE” is used instead. See “FTE” below.
API – The “Academic Performance Index,” as established by the “No Child Left Behind
Act” (NCLB) initiated by President Bush. This is primarily a combination of Standardized
Test Scores, the number of sophomores who pass the High School Exit Exam, and the
production of Annual Yearly Progress (AYP).
AYP – “Annual Yearly Progress,” an indicator through API scores of how a school is
progressing or not from one year to the next.
BIA – “Bilingual instructional Aids,” which are typically used in either classes teaching
remedial English, or in the mainstream classroom.
BICS – “Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills,” thought of as “playground language,”
or the ability to communicate well enough to have fun at play while communicating at an
early -intermediate stage of development.
CALP – “Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency.” This is when an English Language
Learner (ELL) has been designated as “proficient,” and is capable of reading, writing,
listening, and speaking at an “academically proficient” level in English.
Drop Out Rate – The percentage of students who do not make it through all required
levels of study required for graduation, leaving the academic system entirely.
ELL – “English Language Learner.”
ESL – “English as a Second Language.”
FTE – “Full Time Equivalent,” as related to the money received per student per
instructional day. Sometimes the term “ADA” is used instead. See “ADA” above.
HSEE – The “High School Exit Exam.” Typically written at an 8th grade level (in the United
States), students are tested for the ability to function at this level within society and the
workplace. If unable to pass this test, students do not receive a graduation diploma.
Different states in the US typically use their state designation within this, such as
California uses the acronym “CASHEE” as a descriptor.
Language Proficiency – There are five levels of English language learners –
“Beginning,” “Beginning Intermediate,” “Intermediate,” “Beginning Proficient,” and
“Proficient.” Once designated as proficient, an English Language Learner (student) is
considered a mainstream learner on a CALP level (see “CALP” above).
Mainstream Classroom – Those classes that are taught In English only. In most states,
all classrooms are taught “overwhelmingly in English,” with students receiving remedial
help with Bilingual Instructional Aids (BIA’s)
NCLB – The “No Child Left Behind” Act enacted by President Bush, intended to hold
schools accountable for student achievement. See “API” above for a description of what
this requirement entails.