Words Matter
A plain-language glossary for the words that shape public life.
Political Systems & Ideologies
Government structures and political philosophies that shape how power is distributed, who makes decisions, and how authority is justified. These terms are often used loosely. This section pins down their actual meanings and explains how they function in practice.
Voucher System
A voucher system allows families to use public funds to pay for private school tuition. Funding follows the student, and oversight varies by state and program design.
Charter School
A publicly funded school that operates under a performance contract granting it more flexibility in exchange for meeting academic, financial, and governance expectations.
Achievement Gap
Differences in academic outcomes between groups of students, reflecting unequal access to learning opportunities, instruction, and resources.
Special Education
Provides individualized supports and instructional services for students with disabilities under federal law. It uses IEPs, accommodations, and specialized instruction to ensure access to grade-level learning.
Curriculum Standards
State-defined expectations for what students should learn at each grade level. They guide curriculum, instruction, and assessments and ensure consistency across schools while leaving teaching methods to local educators.
Attendance Policy
Define how schools track student attendance, classify absences, notify families, and intervene when students miss school. They operate within state laws and influence funding, instruction, and accountability.
School Board
The local governing body that sets policy, oversees budgets, and supervises the superintendent of a public school district. Boards adopt rules for curriculum, staffing, and operations and serve as the connection between state requirements and local implementation.