Special Education Terms in Rhode Island
What special education terms does Rhode Island use?
Rhode Island uses primarily federal IDEA terminology without significant state-specific renaming of disability categories or procedural terms. Key terminology used in Rhode Island: 'Emotional Disturbance' (federal term used; some practitioners also use 'Emotional and Behavioral Disorder' colloquially, but the official category name is federal). 'Intellectual Disability' is the official IDEA term used in Rhode Island (replacing 'mental retardation' per Rosa's Law). 'Developmental Delay' is used for ages 3-7 (up to 9). The state educational agency is the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE). The Office of Special Populations (OSP) within RIDE oversees special education. Rhode Island's assessment programs are RICAS (Rhode Island Comprehensive Assessment System, replacing PARCC) and the AA-AAS (Alternate Assessment based on Alternate Achievement Standards). 'LEA' means local education agency (school district or charter school). 'IEP' and all related federal terms are used consistent with federal law. 'FAPE' (free appropriate public education) uses the federal definition. The Office of Rehabilitative Services (ORS) is Rhode Island's state vocational rehabilitation agency relevant to transition.
What Rhode Island Requires
Rhode Island uses federal IDEA disability category terminology; no state-specific renaming of categories is applied (200-RICR-20-10-1.4; 34 CFR 300.8).
'Intellectual Disability' is the official term in RI, consistent with Rosa's Law (Pub. L. 111-256), replacing prior references to 'mental retardation' (34 CFR 300.8(c)(6)).
RIDE (Rhode Island Department of Education) is the state educational agency (SEA); OSP (Office of Special Populations) is the RIDE division overseeing special education.
Rhode Island state assessments: RICAS (general assessment) and AA-AAS (alternate assessment for students with most significant cognitive disabilities) (RIDE policy).
ORS (Office of Rehabilitative Services) is the state vocational rehabilitation agency involved in transition planning for students with disabilities (R.I. Gen. Laws § 40-8.3-1 et seq.).
'Developmental Delay' is the accepted RI category term for students ages 3-7 (or up to 9 by agreement), consistent with 34 CFR 300.8(b).