ABCs of school acronyms: What parents need to know

PORT WENTWORTH, Ga. (WTOC) — Parents becoming more involved in their child’s education may encounter acronyms such as ELA, IEP and MTSS. The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System says understanding what those letters mean can help parents.

Why schools use acronyms

Dr. Donna Simmons, director of specialized instruction for the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, said acronyms are used to describe terms that are otherwise lengthy.

“So, it tends to just be an easier way of saying expressing term that are rather lengthy in words,” Simmons said.

Simmons said some of the most common terms include ELA, which stands for English Language Arts. Another is RTI, which means Response to Intervention. There’s also MTSS, which is Multi-Tiered System of Supports.

What the programs do

Simmons said the programs behind the acronyms help schools identify students who need additional help with learning.

“And in those programs we identify students who may have some gaps in their learning or in their behavior or social emotional needs. And we have programs that will help address those gaps for those students,” Simmons said.

IEP, which stands for Individualized Education Program, is another term parents may hear. It is for students who qualify for special education services.

Parents not alone in process

Simmons said while the acronyms sound complicated to some, parents don’t have to figure it out alone.

“Parents are always going to be the best advocates for their students. So, its more of having the right information so that they know what to ask for and that’s where we hope to bridge our own gap,” Simmons said.

School leaders say understanding the language educators use can help families have more informed conversations about their child’s reading progress and the support available.