Abbreviations and acronyms
|
| NFER | National Foundation for Educational Research (in England and Wales) |
| QCA | Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (in England) |
| SCAA | School Curriculum and Assessment Authority (now QCA) |
| elementary school | provides the first six years of compulsory education (education is compulsory for nine years in Japan) for students aged 6-12 years. |
| junior high school | or lower secondary school. Provides three-year compulsory lower secondary education for students aged 12-15. |
| lower secondary school | provides three-year compulsory lower secondary education for students aged 12-15. |
| resource rooms | This term refers to provision for children with mild disabilities/special educational needs, who are taught - according to their disabilities - in special classes, but who also participate in most of the ordinary classes in normal, mainstream elementary schools and lower secondary schools. |
| special classes | These are special classes set up in ordinary, mainstream elementary schools and lower secondary schools for children with relatively mild disabilities. |
| special schools | are schools for children with relatively severe disabilities. Various types of special school exist, dependent on a child's disability/need. See 3.2.5. |
| kindergarten | Pre-school |