Special Education Terms in Tennessee
What special education terms does Tennessee use?
Tennessee generally uses standard IDEA terminology for special education, with some state-specific additions and distinctions. The IEP team is called the 'IEP Team' consistent with federal terminology, as defined in Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-10-102(8) (referencing 34 CFR 300.321). Tennessee uses 'Intellectual Disability' consistent with Rosa's Law (Pub. L. 111-256) in 0520-01-09-.03(9). Tennessee has two disability categories not in the federal IDEA list: 'Functional Delay' (0520-01-09-.03(6)) and 'Intellectually Gifted' (0520-01-09-.03(8)). The state assessment is the TCAP (Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program) with EOC (End-of-Course) exams for secondary; the alternate assessment is the TAA (Tennessee Alternate Assessment) (0520-01-09-.09(1)(c)). Tennessee refers to its multi-tiered support framework as TN-MTSS (Tennessee Multi-Tiered System of Supports) and its RTI framework as RTI². The Division of Special Education within TDOE is the SEA office. Due process hearings are conducted by ALJs employed by the secretary of state per Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-10-606 (not through an 'Office of Administrative Hearings'). Tennessee uses 'Extended Isolation' (more than 1 minute per year of student's age) and 'Extended Restraint' (more than 5 minutes) as defined terms in 0520-01-09-.23. 'Isolation' is used in place of 'seclusion' in state rule language. FAPE is defined in Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-10-102(6). Special education is defined in Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-10-102(13) as specially designed instruction at no cost to parents.
What Tennessee Requires
Tennessee uses 'IEP Team' consistent with IDEA, defined in Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-10-102(8) referencing 34 CFR 300.321.
Tennessee uses 'Intellectual Disability' consistent with Rosa's Law (Pub. L. 111-256, 2010) (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.03(9)).
Tennessee has two disability categories beyond the standard federal 13: 'Functional Delay' (0520-01-09-.03(6)) and 'Intellectually Gifted' (0520-01-09-.03(8)).
State assessments: TCAP (Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program) for grades 3-8; EOC (End-of-Course) exams for high school; TAA (Tennessee Alternate Assessment) for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.09(1)(c)).
Tennessee's multi-tiered support framework is called TN-MTSS; its RTI framework is called RTI² (Response to Instruction and Intervention).
Due process hearings are heard by ALJs employed by the secretary of state (Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-10-606; Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.18(1)).
Tennessee uses 'Isolation' instead of 'seclusion'; 'Extended Isolation' means more than 1 minute per year of student's age; 'Extended Restraint' means more than 5 minutes (Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0520-01-09-.23).
FAPE is defined in Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-10-102(6); special education is defined in § 49-10-102(13) as specially designed instruction at no cost to parents.
Sources
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