Terminology
Terms
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administration
Lowercase: the administration, the president’s administration, the governor’s administration, the Trump administration
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administrator
administrator — Never abbreviate. Capitalize when used as a formal title before a name.
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Advanced Placement®
Spell out once before introducing the shortened AP®. Note that each has a separate copyright. Use the copyright only on the first reference to Advanced Placement and AP. Advanced Placement is a framework, NOT a curriculum. NMSI uses AP exam NOT test.
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air base
Two words. Follow the practice of the U.S. Air Force, which uses air force base as part of the proper name for its bases in the United States. Some bases have become joint bases with other services. On second reference: the Air Force base, the air base, or the base. Do not abbreviate.
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Air Force
air force — capitalize when referring to U.S. forces: the U.S. Air Force, the Air Force. Do NOT abbreviate
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alma mater
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alumna
alumnus, alumni, alumna alumnae — Use alumnus (alumni in the plural) when referring to a man who has attended a school. Use alumna (alumnae in the plural) for similar references to a woman. Use alumni when referring to a group of men and women.
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alumnae
alumnus, alumni, alumna alumnae — Use alumnus (alumni in the plural) when referring to a man who has attended a school. Use alumna (alumnae in the plural) for similar references to a woman. Use alumni when referring to a group of men and women.
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alumni
alumnus, alumni, alumna alumnae — Use alumnus (alumni in the plural) when referring to a man who has attended a school. Use alumna (alumnae in the plural) for similar references to a woman. Use alumni when referring to a group of men and women.
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alumnus
alumnus, alumni, alumna alumnae — Use alumnus (alumni in the plural) when referring to a man who has attended a school. Use alumna (alumnae in the plural) for similar references to a woman. Use alumni when referring to a group of men and women.
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annually
do NOT use the term first annual. Instead, note that the sponsors plan to hold an event annually.
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AP
"assistant principal", Do not abbreviate in externally facing communication.
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AP exam
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Army
Army — Capitalize when referring to U.S. forces: the U.S. Army, the Army, Army regulation. Do NOT use abbreviation USA.
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assistant
Do not abbreviate. Capitalize only when a part of a title before a name Assistant Principal Smith. Whenever practical, an appositional construction should be used Katie Smith, assistant principal.
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Atlanta
cities — should be capitalized, spelled out and used with the postal code for their corresponding states. The following cities should stand alone without a state reference: Atlanta Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Dallas Detroit Houston New York Pittsburgh San Antonio San Diego St. Louis Washington
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Award
Students, teachers and administrators are eligible for achievement-based awards subject to the specific grant agreement for each school or district. Under traditional grants, students receive $100 for each qualifying AP exam score earned; teachers earn $100 for each qualifying score earned by a student on their AP roster with bonus opportunities for course specific goals; and designated school administrators or lead teachers earn a bonus if specific school-level goals are met. Do NOT use incentive.
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B.A.
Use abbreviations such as B.A., M.A., LL.D., Ed.D. and Ph.D. only when the need to identify many individuals by degree on first reference would make the preferred form cumbersome. Use these abbreviations only after a full name – never just the last.
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Bi-Weekly
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board of directors
Always lowercase.
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CED
Course and Exam Description
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Chicago
cities — should be capitalized, spelled out and used with the postal code for their corresponding states. The following cities should stand alone without a state reference: Atlanta Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Dallas Detroit Houston New York Pittsburgh San Antonio San Diego St. Louis Washington
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Cincinnati
cities — should be capitalized, spelled out and used with the postal code for their corresponding states. The following cities should stand alone without a state reference: Atlanta Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Dallas Detroit Houston New York Pittsburgh San Antonio San Diego St. Louis Washington
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Cleveland
cities — should be capitalized, spelled out and used with the postal code for their corresponding states. The following cities should stand alone without a state reference: Atlanta Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Dallas Detroit Houston New York Pittsburgh San Antonio San Diego St. Louis Washington
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College
Capitalize when part of a proper name
- Dartmouth College
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Consultants
Generic term for all NMSI contractors who deliver training and serve as mentors. Most are active teachers. Do not use specific titles unless in a job description.
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CRP
"College Readiness Program," NMSI’s program for AP math, science and English teachers and students. Through CRP, NMSI partners with schools to increase the number of students taking and earning qualifying scores on Advanced Placement® math, science and English exams, while expanding access to rigorous coursework to students traditionally underserved in schools and underrepresented in STEM careers. Spell out the name in the body of an email or other written communication before introducing the acronym. Do not put the acronym in parenthesis after the full name. The acronym can be used in email subject lines.
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CRP Summer Institute
A four-day teacher training for AP teachers in CRP partner schools, these trainings are followed by fall and spring workshops to reinforce content knowledge and instructional planning. Formerly called AP Summer Institute or APSI. Do not abbreviate CRP Summer Institute in externally facing communication.
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DA
"designated administrator" This is the lead contact at CRP schools. Do not abbreviate in externally facing communications.
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Dallas
cities — should be capitalized, spelled out and used with the postal code for their corresponding states. The following cities should stand alone without a state reference: Atlanta Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Dallas Detroit Houston New York Pittsburgh San Antonio San Diego St. Louis Washington
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Day Eight
Capitalize and spell out as a chronological device for summarizing multiday event such as Day One, Day Two. Lowercase in casual, conversational references
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Day Five
Capitalize and spell out as a chronological device for summarizing multiday event such as Day One, Day Two. Lowercase in casual, conversational references
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Day Four
Capitalize and spell out as a chronological device for summarizing multiday event such as Day One, Day Two. Lowercase in casual, conversational references
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Day Nine
Capitalize and spell out as a chronological device for summarizing multiday event such as Day One, Day Two. Lowercase in casual, conversational references
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Day One
Capitalize and spell out as a chronological device for summarizing multiday event such as Day One, Day Two. Lowercase in casual, conversational references
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Day Seven
Capitalize and spell out as a chronological device for summarizing multiday event such as Day One, Day Two. Lowercase in casual, conversational references
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Day Six
Capitalize and spell out as a chronological device for summarizing multiday event such as Day One, Day Two. Lowercase in casual, conversational references
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Day Ten
Capitalize and spell out as a chronological device for summarizing multiday event such as Day One, Day Two. Lowercase in casual, conversational references
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Day Three
Capitalize and spell out as a chronological device for summarizing multiday event such as Day One, Day Two. Lowercase in casual, conversational references
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Day Two
Capitalize and spell out as a chronological device for summarizing multiday event such as Day One, Day Two. Lowercase in casual, conversational references
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DBQ
nounDocument Based Question
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Detroit
cities — should be capitalized, spelled out and used with the postal code for their corresponding states. The following cities should stand alone without a state reference: Atlanta Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Dallas Detroit Houston New York Pittsburgh San Antonio San Diego St. Louis Washington
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e.g.,
i.e./e.g. — Use “i.e.” to mean “that is” and “e.g.” to mean “for example.” Always use a comma afterwards and a parenthesis or comma before.
- For the picnic this weekend, please buy some fruit (e.g., bananas and apples).
- My favorite animal at the zoo is an elephant (i.e., a gray-colored pachyderm).
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Engle
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EOD
End of Day
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ext.
The word “extension” should be abbreviated when part of a telephone number and set off with commas when used in a sentence.
- For more details, call 214.746.6600, ext. 6753.
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FAQ
Acceptable in all uses for frequently asked questions.
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fifth
When using ordinals, spell out “first” through “ninth”; use figures for 10th and above.
- Registration reports for every event are due on the 15th of every month.
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first
When using ordinals, spell out “first” through “ninth”; use figures for 10th and above.
- Registration reports for every event are due on the 15th of every month.
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fourth
When using ordinals, spell out “first” through “ninth”; use figures for 10th and above.
- Registration reports for every event are due on the 15th of every month.
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Friday
days of the week — Capitalize them. Do not abbreviate, except when needed in a tabular format: Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat (three letters, without periods, to facilitate tabular composition).
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government
government — always lowercase, never abbreviate
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Governor
Capitalize and abbreviate as Gov. or Govs. when used as a formal title before one or more names.
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GPA
Acceptable in all references for grade-point average.
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graduate from
Do NOT drop ‘from’
- John Adams graduated from Harvard.
- John Adams graduated Harvard.
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Houston
cities — should be capitalized, spelled out and used with the postal code for their corresponding states. The following cities should stand alone without a state reference: Atlanta Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Dallas Detroit Houston New York Pittsburgh San Antonio San Diego St. Louis Washington
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i.e.,
i.e./e.g. — Use “i.e.” to mean “that is” and “e.g.” to mean “for example.” Always use a comma afterwards and a parenthesis or comma before.
- For the picnic this weekend, please buy some fruit (e.g., bananas and apples).
- My favorite animal at the zoo is an elephant (i.e., a gray-colored pachyderm).
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Ivy League
these schools make up the Ivy League: Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Princeton University, the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University
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job descriptions
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keynote address
You can also use Keynote speech
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Latino
Latino(a) — a person from — or whose ancestors were from — a Spanish-speaking land or culture. Latino and Latina are sometimes preferred. NMSI prefers Hispanic, unless the individuals preference is different.
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Legislature
Capitalize “Legislature” when it follows the name of a state (Texas Legislature). Always use the state name with “Legislature” on first reference. Use lowercase “legislature” on subsequent references and when used generically. The 84th Texas Legislature is coming up. No legislature wants to tackle the controversial subjects.
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LL.D.
Use abbreviations such as B.A., M.A., LL.D., Ed.D. and Ph.D. only when the need to identify many individuals by degree on first reference would make the preferred form cumbersome. Use these abbreviations only after a full name – never just the last.
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LOI
"Letter of Intent", A non-formal letter from a school stating their intent to enter in CRP.
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LTF
"Laying the Foundation Program", training for teachers of grades 3–12 to build the pipeline of students ready for rigorous AP courses. Spell out the name in the body of an email or other written communication before introducing the acronym. Do not put the acronym in parenthesis after the full name.
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LTF Summer Institute
Laying the Foundation Summer Institute, same thing LTF do not abbreviate Summer Institute in externally facing communication.
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M.A.
Use abbreviations such as B.A., M.A., LL.D., Ed.D. and Ph.D. only when the need to identify many individuals by degree on first reference would make the preferred form cumbersome. Use these abbreviations only after a full name – never just the last.
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moderator
A phrase such as: He was the moderator is preferred.
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Monday
days of the week — Capitalize them. Do not abbreviate, except when needed in a tabular format: Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat (three letters, without periods, to facilitate tabular composition).
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MOU
"memorandum of understanding", A formal agreement between NMSI and a school to establish an official partnership. Spell out the name in the body of an email or other written communication before introducing the acronym. The acronym can be used in email subject lines.
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MSE
"math, science and English", Used when referring to math, science and English AP scores (as opposed to math and science only). Do not use in externally facing communication.
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National Math + Science Initiative
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New York
cities — should be capitalized, spelled out and used with the postal code for their corresponding states. The following cities should stand alone without a state reference: Atlanta Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Dallas Detroit Houston New York Pittsburgh San Antonio San Diego St. Louis Washington
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NMSI
The National Math and Science Initiative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to getting more American students college-ready and prepared for the jobs of the future. Spell out the name in the body of an email or other written communication before introducing the acronym. Do not put the acronym in parenthesis after the full name. The acronym can be used in email subject lines. The National Math + Science Initiative (NMSI) with the + sign can only be used in document titles and headings. Use "and" in body text.
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Ph.D.
Use abbreviations such as B.A., M.A., LL.D., Ed.D. and Ph.D. only when the need to identify many individuals by degree on first reference would make the preferred form cumbersome. Use these abbreviations only after a full name – never just the last.
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Pittsburgh
cities — should be capitalized, spelled out and used with the postal code for their corresponding states. The following cities should stand alone without a state reference: Atlanta Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Dallas Detroit Houston New York Pittsburgh San Antonio San Diego St. Louis Washington
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PM
"program manager", A member of NMSI’s staff who ensures the quality implementation and sustainment of CRP programming in the schools we serve. Do not use the acronym in externally facing communications.
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POC
"point of contact", This is a person at each CRP school who works with program teachers. Do not abbreviate in externally facing communications.
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QS
"Qualifying score", Scores of 3 or higher on the College Board’s 5-point AP scoring scale. These scores qualify students for course credit at most U.S. college and universities. Use “qualifying scores” instead of “passing scores” when referencing AP exam scores earned by a student. Do not use the acronym in externally facing communications.
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qualifying scores
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San Antonio
cities — should be capitalized, spelled out and used with the postal code for their corresponding states. The following cities should stand alone without a state reference: Atlanta Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Dallas Detroit Houston New York Pittsburgh San Antonio San Diego St. Louis Washington
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San Diego
cities — should be capitalized, spelled out and used with the postal code for their corresponding states. The following cities should stand alone without a state reference: Atlanta Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Dallas Detroit Houston New York Pittsburgh San Antonio San Diego St. Louis Washington
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Saturday
days of the week — Capitalize them. Do not abbreviate, except when needed in a tabular format: Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat (three letters, without periods, to facilitate tabular composition).
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SAT®
SAT® — Use only initials when referring to the test. Always use the registered trademark symbol (®) with the first reference
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school
Capitalize only when part of a proper name
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second
When using ordinals, spell out “first” through “ninth”; use figures for 10th and above.
- Registration reports for every event are due on the 15th of every month.
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sixth
When using ordinals, spell out “first” through “ninth”; use figures for 10th and above.
- Registration reports for every event are due on the 15th of every month.
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SLO
"school liaison officer", A civilian or enlisted individual who serves as the primary point of contact between schools with high proportions of military-connect students and the military bases/families that those schools serve. Do not use in formal communications with external audiences that are not associated with military-connected schools. For communications with external audiences associated with military-connected schools, the acronym can be used in email subject lines.
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SSS
"Student Study Session", only use abbreviation internally, Part of the student support for CRP schools. Topical content-review sessions for each AP course, led by state and national AP experts who teach NMSI-created lessons as students’ classroom teachers observe. Do not abbreviate in externally facing communication.
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St. Louis
cities — should be capitalized, spelled out and used with the postal code for their corresponding states. The following cities should stand alone without a state reference: Atlanta Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Dallas Detroit Houston New York Pittsburgh San Antonio San Diego St. Louis Washington
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State of
Uppercase “state of” constructions (State of Texas) when referring to the government of the state as a separate entity. Avoid the redundant construction of “the state of Texas” in other uses. The same rules apply to “city.” This landmark is the property of the State of Texas and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Texas.
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STEM
"science, technology, engineering and math", Spell out the name in the body of an email or other written communication before introducing the acronym. Do not put the acronym in parenthesis after the full name. The acronym can be used in email subject lines.
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Sunday
days of the week — Capitalize them. Do not abbreviate, except when needed in a tabular format: Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat (three letters, without periods, to facilitate tabular composition).
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Superintendent
superintendent — Do not abbreviate. Capitalize when used as a formal title before a name.
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third
When using ordinals, spell out “first” through “ninth”; use figures for 10th and above.
- Registration reports for every event are due on the 15th of every month.
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Thursday
days of the week — Capitalize them. Do not abbreviate, except when needed in a tabular format: Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat (three letters, without periods, to facilitate tabular composition).
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Tuesday
days of the week — Capitalize them. Do not abbreviate, except when needed in a tabular format: Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat (three letters, without periods, to facilitate tabular composition).
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U.S. Air Force
Capitalize when referring to U.S. forces: the U.S. Air Force, the Air Force. Do NOT abbreviate
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United States
nounSpell out when used as a noun. Use “U.S.” (with periods and no space) only as an adjective.
- Although Canada is 90,446 square miles larger than the United States, the U.S. population exceeds Canada’s by approximately 244 million.
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UTeach Expansion Program
NMSI’s program to expand the innovative UTeach teacher preparation program founded by the UTeach Institute at The University of Texas at Austin. The program enables undergraduate students majoring in STEM fields to earn teaching certification without adding cost or time to their degrees. There is no shortened way to refer to NMSI’s UTeach Expansion Program.
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Washington
cities — should be capitalized, spelled out and used with the postal code for their corresponding states. The following cities should stand alone without a state reference: Atlanta Chicago Cincinnati Cleveland Dallas Detroit Houston New York Pittsburgh San Antonio San Diego St. Louis Washington
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Wednesday
days of the week — Capitalize them. Do not abbreviate, except when needed in a tabular format: Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat (three letters, without periods, to facilitate tabular composition).
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white paper
Two words, lowercase, when used to refer to a special report
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will graduate from
Do NOT drop ‘from’
- John Adams will graduate from Harvard.
- John Adams will graduate Harvard
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