Functional Assessment: Also known as Functional Behavioral Assessment. The process of collecting information in order to develop hypothesis statements regarding the variables that maintain and predict problem behavior. Functional assessment strategies include indirect assessment methods, direct observation, and functional analysis.

Individualized Education Program (IEP): An educational planning tool required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), and its 1997 reauthorization, enabling a student to participate in regular educational activities and curriculum. An IEP must contain: a statement of the student's present levels of educational performance, a statement of measurable annual goals, a list of the special education and related services and supplementary aids and services needed, and a description of the program modifications or supports for school personnel that will be provided for the student to meet the annual goals.

Person-Centered Planning: The process of gathering information and goal development that has an individualized focus. The person for whom the planning is done is present at the meeting and the input from that person guides or directs the planning process.

Positive Behavioral Support: A comprehensive set of strategies that are meant to redesign environments in such a way that problem behaviors are prevented or inconsequential, and to teach students new skills, making problem behaviors unnecessary.

Quality of Life: A variety of elements in a student's life including predictability, environmental stability, level of social belonging, empowerment and control, well-being and satisfaction.

School-Wide Discipline: A unified approach for implementing behavioral support strategies by all staff members within a school. The purpose of a school-wide discipline plan is to increase the consistency and effectiveness of behavioral support strategies and to prevent problem behaviors by teaching and reinforcing desirable behaviors.

Self-Determination: Taking charge of one's own life and playing an active role in important decision-making processes. Characteristics that have been used to describe self-determination include, self-evaluation, personal responsibility, choice, preference, autonomy, self-regulation, empowerment, and self-realization.

Systems: Sets of related or interacting variables which function together for a specific purpose. Systems are dynamic and often change over time.