A special education dictionary will help everyone involved with these special people understand what the professionals trying to say and provide an insight into the laws associated with special education. A special education teacher who wants an easy way to explain complicated concepts to those who live and work with these special students can use a special education dictionary to help caregivers, parents, and the students themselves. A special education dictionary is a valuable tool.

When working with a person with a disability, it is important to know how to be an advocate. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) insures that all children, regardless of their disability, will receive an appropriate education. It is important that everyone involved with the education, training, and caring for those who qualify for special education be familiar with the terms involved in laws pertaining to the protection and education of these individuals.

A special education dictionary should define somewhere between 1,000 and 1,500 terms. That sounds like a lot, and it is, but there are many vital things to comprehend about the laws and requirements pertaining to the needs of special individuals. A comprehensive dictionary should define terms using simple words and sentences in order to avoid confusion. Longer phrases should be broken down, so the meaning is more clear. Cross-references should be included in order to show how different terms are interrelated.

Working in this special environment is complicated enough, a complete dictionary will cover current IDEA regulations in a meaningful way. It is critical to understand the laws, ideas like resolution sessions, and the importance of such things as the response to intervention (RTI), and how serious injuries to the body are handled.

Finally, it is a plus if the dictionary includes the terminology involved with the No Child Left Behind Act. For instance, what kinds of testing is involved, what parts of this law apply to all students including those with special needs? While these laws pertain to all children, the way they dovetail into the needs of special students should be explained.