Acronyms for Kansas: Acronyms are used frequently in education to identify programs, services, and strategies. This resource serves to identify frequently used education acronyms in Kansas. You should ask your mentor or veteran teacher if there are additional acronyms that are specific to your district that would be helpful to know.
Kansas Department of Education Programs
- SES: Special Education Services
- TAKE: Technology Assistance for Kansas Educators
- TEAL: Teacher Education and Licensure
- QPA: Quality Performance Accreditation
Academic Program
- AP: Advanced Placement
- BAIP: Blending Assessment with Instruction Program
- CTE: Academic and Technical Education Programs
- FACS: Family and Consumer Science
Testing
- AYP: Adequate Yearly Progress
- ACT: American College Testing
- CETE: Center for Educational Testing and Evaluation
- KAMM: Kansas Assessment with Modified Results
- KIDS: Kansas Individual Data on Students
- NAEP: National Assessment of Educational Progress
- SAT: Scholastic Achievement Test
Instructional Strategy
- DI: Differentiated Instruction
- IDL: Interactive Distance Learning
- MTSS: Multi-tiered System of Supports
Language Acquisition
- ELL: English Language Learners
- ESL: English as a Second Language
- LEP: Limited English Proficiency
Professional Organizations
- KSDE: Kansas Department of Education
- KNEA: Kansas National Education Association
Special Education
- ADD: Attention Deficit Disorder
- ADHD: Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
- HI: Hearing Impaired
- IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
- IEP: Individual Education Program
- LD: Learning Disability
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First Year Teacher Guide for Secondary Teachers: Read about this teacher's experience in their first year of teaching and get suggestions on how to communicate with parents, syllabus examples, and more. |
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Ideas for the First Days of School: Ideas for the First Days of School offers first year teachers a variety of activity ideas and strategies for starting the school year on the right foot.
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Parent Communication:
Establishing Good Communication Early
It is important to introduce yourself and establish good communication to parents early. In fact, a introductory letter may be the first item you complete as you get ready for the new school year. This letter may include information below:
- Introduction
- Necessary supplies
- Contact information
- Upcoming classroom or school events
Throughout the year you can build on this initial communication with newsletters, phone calls, emails, progress reports, and conferences.
Tips for Good Communication (from www.susd.org)
- Be professional in your communication (avoid rumors and gossip).
- Be direct and clear in what you say.
- Think through, in advance, what you are going to say.
- Be sure to listen.
- Be positive, even when dealing with problems. Involve parents in the decision-making.
- Avoid using educational jargon.
- Proofread any notes/newsletters before you send them home with students.
- Keep a record of all communication with parents.
- If you have any question about a communication you are going to send, discuss it first with an administrator or mentor.
- Inform an administrator or your mentor of any problems so they are informed on the situation when they receive communication from the parent.
Open House Night
Many schools will conduct an open house early in the school year to give teachers, students, and parents’ time to meet each other. There are a number of procedures you can follow to take advantage of this time and establish a good relationship with parents.
You may discuss:
- Classroom rules and policies
- Curriculum and/or standards
- Your expectations for students
- Instructional materials, such as textbooks or workbooks
Overall tips for open house night:
- Provide handouts of grading procedures, homework procedures, curriculum maps, etc.
- Dress professionally
- Provide information on how parents can communicate with you and what they can expect to be communicated to them regarding their child’s progress.
- Provide a volunteer sign up sheet.
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Questions for Your Mentor: Your principal or supervisor may have assigned a mentor teacher to support you in your new teaching experience. Below are a few helpful questions that you can ask your mentor to gain insight into the policies of your school and/or district. You may also download a printable version of these questions with space to document these policies and procedures.
Policies and Procedures for the Classroom
- What are the hours I have access to my classroom?
- What school rules and policies should I present to students?
- Is there a homework hotline or website I need to keep current?
- What resources are made available for students and parents on the internet?
Policies and Procedures for the School
- What is the procedure for students arrive at school?
- How do students leave at the end of the school day?
- Is there any kind of special event or assembly during the 1st week?
- What paperwork is required of me for the first day of school, attendance, and lunch?
- How are parents notified of suspension or detention and what are the policies for make-up work?
- What is the procedure for sending my students to the library and restroom?
- What is the bell or class schedule?
Obtaining Materials
- What is the procedure for requesting furniture items for my classroom (e.g. tables, chairs)?
- What is the procedure for requesting technology for my classroom?
- What is the procedure for obtaining consumable supplies (e.g. paper, printer ink, pencils, etc.)
- What is the procedure for obtaining textbooks and checking them out to students?
- What is the procedure for making copies of materials?
- What is the procedure for accessing student files?
Gaining Assistance
- Are classroom aides available and what is the procedure for obtaining their assistance?
- Who can help me with the technology in my classroom?
- How do I get assistance from the office for emergencies, illness or discipline problems?
- When should I consult with the principal?
- How do I refer students to the counselor and school nurse?
- What kinds of resources are available if I have a student who I believe has a learning or behavior problem?
These questions have been modified from The Scottsdale School District New Teacher Induction Program at http://www.susd.org/district/ProfessionalDevelopment/newteacher/mentorquestions.cfm
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Top Ten Mistakes: This article contains a list of the top ten mistakes that teachers make in the first few months of teaching that you can avoid. |
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