Confusion to Clarity: Building a Shared Language for Special Education Services

This session highlights an initiative to create a common dictionary of special education services. More than 20% of Americans move across states during children’s elementary years, this number increases for military-connected families. Therefore, a common understanding of service terms is critical to uphold IDEA and ensure educational continuity.Participants will be able to: 1. Explain how mobility and inconsistent terminology impact service delivery for students with disabilities. 2. Describe the goals and methods of a field-driven initiative to develop a national special education services glossary. 3. Apply pilot glossary definitions and recommendations to support clearer communication across teams, schools, and systems.