Our District · Glossary
Translating Education For You
The acronyms, jargon, and processes that shape your kid's day — in plain English. No background required.
504 Plan
A school plan that provides accommodations (extra time, preferential seating, etc.) for students with disabilities that don't require special education services.
Why it matters: If your child has ADHD, anxiety, or a medical condition that affects learning, a 504 may be the right path before pursuing an IEP.
Balanced Literacy
An approach to reading instruction that relies heavily on context clues, memorization, and leveled reading — now challenged by the science of reading research.
Why it matters: Many California districts taught balanced literacy for decades. The pivot to structured literacy is still in progress.
Basic Aid District
A district, like RUSD, that generates more local property tax revenue than its state funding entitlement. It keeps the extra. It means RUSD is more financially insulated from state cuts — but also less eligible for certain state grants.
Why it matters: Basic Aid status is why RUSD can't blame Sacramento for budget gaps. The money is local.
Brown Act
California's open meeting law. It requires that public board meetings be noticed in advance and that the public can attend and speak. School boards operate under it.
Why it matters: If decisions feel like they're happening in private, the Brown Act is your tool.
Designated ELD
Designated English Language Development — dedicated instruction time specifically for English learners to develop language skills, required by California.
Why it matters: If a school doesn't deliver designated ELD with fidelity, English learners fall behind in every subject.
Dual Immersion
A bilingual education model where students learn in two languages — typically 50/50 English and a partner language. Not currently offered at RUSD.
Why it matters: Dual immersion is one of the most evidence-backed approaches to long-term bilingualism — and RUSD doesn't have it.
Foundation for Reed Schools
The parent-funded nonprofit that raises ~$1.75M/year to support arts, library, and technology programs in RUSD that the district couldn't afford otherwise.
Why it matters: Without the Foundation, RUSD's arts and library programs would collapse. Without the district, the Foundation would have nothing to fund.
GATE
Gifted and Talented Education — programs for students identified as academically advanced. California eliminated state funding for it; districts run their own programs.
Why it matters: Whether your child gets enrichment depends entirely on what your district chooses to do.
IEP
Individualized Education Program — a legally binding document that outlines special education services for a student with a qualifying disability.
Why it matters: An IEP is enforceable. The district must deliver every minute of service it specifies.
Inclusion
An approach to special education that places students with disabilities in general education classrooms with appropriate supports, rather than segregated settings.
Why it matters: Inclusion done well benefits all students. Done poorly, it benefits no one. Implementation is everything.
LCAP
Local Control Accountability Plan — the document every California district must publish showing how it spends state education funding and what goals it's working toward.
Why it matters: It's the public record of district priorities. If something matters to your district, it should appear here.
LCFF
Local Control Funding Formula — California's main school funding system, which gives districts more money for students who are English learners, low-income, or in foster care.
Why it matters: LCFF is why a low-income student in California generates more school funding than a high-income one.
MOSAIC
RUSD's multicultural student affinity and belonging program, designed to foster community and cultural identity for students of color.
Why it matters: In a district like RUSD, MOSAIC is often the only space where students of color see themselves reflected in their school community.
MTSS
Multi-Tiered System of Supports — a framework for identifying and supporting students who need extra help, using progressively more intensive interventions.
Why it matters: MTSS is how schools catch struggling students early — before they need an IEP.
Paraprofessional / Aide
A non-certificated staff member who supports students in the classroom, often assigned specifically to students with IEPs who need 1:1 or small-group support.
Why it matters: Many inclusive classrooms only function because of a skilled aide.
Parcel Tax
A local tax on property parcels (not based on value) that requires a 2/3 supermajority vote. RUSD uses parcel taxes as a major revenue source beyond state funding.
Why it matters: Parcel taxes expire. Renewing them takes a 2/3 vote — a high bar.
Portrait of a Graduate
A framework many districts use to define the skills and qualities they want students to develop beyond academics — often including creativity, empathy, and resilience.
Why it matters: It's how a district says 'this is what success looks like to us' beyond just test scores.
Resource Specialist
A special education teacher who works with students who spend most of their day in a general education classroom but need pull-out support for specific skills.
Why it matters: The resource teacher is often the most important adult in a student's IEP delivery.
SARC
School Accountability Report Card — an annual report each California school must publish with data on enrollment, test scores, teacher qualifications, and spending.
Why it matters: It's the most consistent public-data view of a school, year over year.
SBAC
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium — the standardized test California uses to measure ELA and math proficiency, taken annually in grades 3–8 and grade 11.
Why it matters: It's the test most often quoted in 'how is the district doing' conversations.
Science of Reading
A body of research on how children learn to read, emphasizing phonics, phonemic awareness, and structured literacy rather than 'balanced literacy' or guessing from context.
Why it matters: How a district teaches reading determines whether kids who don't pick it up naturally ever catch up.
SELPA
Special Education Local Plan Area — the regional structure through which districts coordinate special education services. RUSD belongs to the Marin SELPA.
Why it matters: Many low-incidence services (e.g., for deaf students) are delivered SELPA-wide, not by individual districts.
SST
Student Study Team — a school-based meeting convened before a formal IEP referral, where teachers, parents, and specialists discuss how to support a struggling student.
Why it matters: An SST is often the first formal step when a teacher notices something is off.
Trustee
An elected member of a school district's board of education. They set policy, approve budgets, and hire/evaluate the superintendent. They don't run the schools day-to-day.
Why it matters: Trustees don't manage teachers or curriculum directly — but every district policy starts with their vote.
Wellness Coordinator
A school staff member focused on student mental health, social-emotional learning, and connecting students and families to support services.
Why it matters: When a kid is struggling and doesn't know who to talk to, the wellness coordinator is often the bridge.