Special Education Terms in Nevada
What special education terms does Nevada use?
Nevada uses federal IDEA terminology for most special education terms without state-specific renaming, but several Nevada-specific terms and concepts appear in NAC Chapter 388. 'Pupil with a disability' is Nevada's standard term, consistent with NRS 388 usage throughout (NRS 388.433). Nevada uses 'Serious Emotional Disturbance' in NAC 388.415 (retaining older federal terminology) rather than the current federal term 'Emotional Disturbance.' 'Scientifically research-based intervention' (SRBI) is Nevada's term for the multi-tiered pre-referral intervention framework (NAC 388.325). The 'Eligibility Team' is the Nevada term for the group that determines special education eligibility, consisting of a multi-disciplinary evaluation team (NAC 388.340). Nevada refers to the state education agency as the Nevada Department of Education (NDE), and the state superintendent as the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The 'Nevada Statewide Assessment System' (NSSAS) is the general education assessment; the 'Nevada Alternate Assessment' (NAA) is for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. Nevada PEP is the state's federally-funded Parent Training and Information (PTI) center. NDALC (Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center) is the state's Protection and Advocacy organization.
What Nevada Requires
Pupil with a disability: Nevada's standard term throughout NRS Chapter 388 (consistent with NRS 388.433 and NAC 388).
Serious Emotional Disturbance: Nevada's term in NAC 388.415 for the disability category (using older federal terminology rather than the current 'Emotional Disturbance').
Scientifically Research-Based Intervention (SRBI): Nevada's term for the multi-tiered pre-referral intervention framework used before special education referral (NAC 388.325).
Eligibility Team: Nevada's term for the multi-disciplinary group that determines special education eligibility and recommends the IEP (NAC 388.340).
Nevada Alternate Assessment (NAA): Nevada's alternate assessment for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in lieu of the NSSAS.
Nevada PEP: Nevada's federally-funded Parent Training and Information Center — the primary statewide parent advocacy and support resource.
NDALC (Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center): Nevada's Protection and Advocacy organization, which provides free legal advocacy for students with disabilities.
Key Timelines
Eligibility Team determination triggers the 30-day IEP development clock (NAC 388.281(13)(a); NAC 388.340).
SRBI interventions should be provided before referral for evaluation when a student shows academic or behavioral difficulty (NAC 388.325).