Guide to Educational Acronyms and Abbreviations
Bothered by pesky acronyms and other abbreviations? Here’s a list to help you out!
- ELA (English & Language Arts): Refers to reading, literature, writing, speaking and listening in the world of English coursework.
- FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid): This is form completed yearly by current and prospective college students in the United States to determine their eligibility for student financial aid, including the amount of scholarships, grants, loans, and out of pocket expenses needed to pay for college.
- IEP (Individualized Education Plan): A written statement (for a student with a disability) developed by a team of knowledgeable professionals with input from parents. The IEP describes student strengths as well as how the student will be served and what goals she/he should be meeting.
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics): A STEM curriculum attempts to integrate these four subjects by cultivating creativity and developing skills that drive innovation.
Here are some brief explanations regarding testing abbreviations:
- SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test): A test that assesses a student’s verbal, mathematical and writing skills for college
- PSAT (Pre-Scholastic Assessment Test): A practice test for the SAT, usually taken by juniors in the fall. High scorers can qualify for scholarships.
- ACT (American College Test): An assessment test that covers English, Math, Reading and Science
- Pre-ACT (Pre American College Test): A practice test for the ACT, usually taken junior year in the fall. High scorers can qualify for scholarships.
- ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery): That assessment is administered by the U.S. Military. It includes 8 individual tests covering verbal and math skills, science, word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, and electronics, auto/shop and mechanical familiarity. It is designed to help students learn more about potentially satisfying occupations and predict future academic and occupational success in the military. All sophomores are welcome to explore their aptitude for various skills to help assist in career exploration.
Compiled by the Long Lake Central School District in NY from their Counseling Page