Glossary of Educational Terms/Acronyms

Welcome to the Alphabet Soup

The world of education, behavioral health, and community services is filled with acronyms that can feel like an entirely different language! These shorthand terms are used to abbreviate names or phrases, making communication quicker and easier. However, understanding what they stand for is essential to staying informed and connected.

Here, you'll find a helpful guide to clarify the alphabet soup and empower you with the knowledge to navigate conversations, documents, and programs confidently.

Acronym Index

A Acronyms

AAC | Augmentative & Alternative Communication

AAD | Adaptive Assistive Devices

ABA | Applied Behavior Analysis

ACMT | Advanced Certified Music Therapist

ADA | Americans with Disabilities Act

ADA | Average Daily Attendance

ADD | Attention Deficit Disorder

ADHD | Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

ADR | Alternative Dispute Resolution

ALJ | Administrative Law Judge

APE | Adapted Physical Education

API | Academic Performance Index

ARRA | American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009

ASD | Autism Spectrum Disorder

ASHA | American Speech Language Hearing Association

ASL | American Sign Language

AT | Assistive Technology

AUT | Autism

AYP | Adequate Yearly Progress

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B Acronyms

BASC | Behavioral Assessment Scale for Children

BCBA | Board Certified Behavior Analyst

BD | Behavioral Disorder

BER | Behavioral Emergency Report

BIP | Behavioral Intervention Plan

BSP | Behavior Support Plan

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C Acronyms

CAA | California Alternate Assessment

CAASPP | CA Assessment of Student Performance & Progress

CAC | Community Advisory Committee

CALPADS | CA Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System

CAPD | Central Auditory Processing Disorder

CASEMIS | CA Special Education Management Information System

CASP | California Association of School Psychologists

CBA | Curriculum-Based Assessment

CBM | Curriculum-Based Measurement

CCR | California Code of Regulations

CCS | California Children’s Services

CCSS | Common Core State Standards

CDE | California Department of Education

CDS | County/District/School (Code)

CEC | Council for Exceptional Children

CFR | Code of Federal Regulations

CICO | Check In Check Out

CDMH | County Department of Mental Health

CMT | Certified Music Therapist

COE | County Office of Education

COTA | Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant

CP | Cerebral Palsy

CSBA | California School Boards Association

CSDR | California School for the Deaf, Riverside

CSHA | California Speech Language & Hearing Association

CSN | Extensive Support Needs

CST | California Standards Test

CTA | California Teachers Association

CTC | California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

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D Acronyms

DB | Deaf-Blind

DHH | Deaf and Hard of Hearing

DLL | Dual Language Learner

DMCC | Desert Mountain Children's Center

DMCS | Desert Mountain Charter SELPA

DOR | Department of Rehabilitation

DPR | Daily Progress Report

DSEA | District of Special Education Accountability

DSM | Diagnostic & Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders

DTT | Discrete Trial Teaching

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E Acronyms

EAP | Early Assessment Program

EC | California Education Code

ECE | Early Childhood Education

ED | Emotional Disturbance

EIIS | Early Identification, Intervention Services

EIS | Early Intervention Services

ELA | English Language Arts

ELD | English Language Development

ELL | English Language Learner

ERMHS | Educationally Related Mental Health Service

ESEA | Elementary & Secondary Education Act

ESD | Extended School Day

ESL | English as a Second Language

ESY | Extended School Year

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F Acronyms

F-EIP | Facilitated Individualized Education Program

FAPE | Free Appropriate Public Education

FBA | Functional Behavioral Assessment

FERB | Functional Equivalent Replacement Behavior

FERPA | Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act

FFH | Foster Family Home

FI | Family Infant

FPCO | Family Policy Compliance Office

G & H Acronyms

GED | General Education Development

HI | Hearing Impairment

HOUSSE | High Objective Uniform State Standard of Evaluation

HQT | Highly Qualified Teacher (as defined by ESEA)

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I Acronyms

IA | Instructional Assistant

IAES | Interim Alternative Educational Setting

ID | Intellectual Disability

IEE | Independent Educational Evaluation

IDEA | Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

IEP | Individualized Education Program

IFSP | Individualized Family Service Plan

IHO | Impartial Hearing Officer

IQ | Intelligence Quotient

IRC | Inland Regional Center

ISIS | Individual Student Information System

ISP | Individualized Service Plan

ISS | In School Suspension

ITP | Individualized Transition Plan

IWEN | Individual with Exceptional Needs

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L, M and N Acronyms

LCI | Licensed Children’s Institution

LD | Learning Disability

LEA | Local Education Agency

LEP | Limited English Proficiency

LIFE | Linking Individuals, Families & Educators

LRE | Least Restrictive Environment

LSH | Language-Speech & Hearing

MD | Manifestation Determination

MDT | Multidisciplinary Team

MH | Multi-Handicapped

MIS | Management Information System

MM | Mild/Moderate

MMSN | Mild to Moderate Support Needs

MTU | Medical Therapy Unit

NEP | Non-English Proficient

NCLB | No Child Left Behind

NPA | Nonpublic Agency

NPS | Nonpublic School

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O Acronyms

O&M | Orientation & Mobility

OAH | Office of Administrative Hearings

OCD | Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

OCR | U.S. Office of Civil Rights

ODD | Oppositional Defiant Disorder

OHI | Other Health Impairment

OI | Orthopedic Impairment

OSEP | Office of Special Education Programs

OSERS | Office of Special Education & Rehabilitation Services

OT | Occupational Therapy

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P and R Acronyms

PBIS | Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports

PDD | Pervasive Developmental Disorder

PECS | Picture Exchange Communication System

PFT | Physical Fitness Testing

PI | Program Improvement

PLOP | Present Levels of Performance

PS | Program Specialist

PT | Physical Therapy

PWN | Prior Written Notice

RSP | Resource Specialist Program

RTC | Residential Treatment Center

RTI | Response to Intervention

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S Acronyms

SAI | Specialized Academic Instruction

SAIG | Social Academic Instruction Group

SAP | Student Assistance Program

SARB | School Attendance Review Board

SART| Screening Assessment Referral & Treatment

SAS | Self-Assessment Survey

SATS | School-Age Treatment Services

SBAC | Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium

SBE | State Board of Education

SCIA | Special Circumstance Instructional Assistance

SDC | Special Day Class

SDQ | Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire

SEA | State Educational Agency

SED | Serious Emotional Disturbance (Common to ED - Emotional Disturbed)

SEIS | Special Education Information System

SELPA | Special Education Local Plan Area

SH | Severely Handicapped

SI | Sensory Integration

SLD | Specific Learning Disability

SLP | Speech-Language Pathologist

SLPA | Speech-Language Pathologist Assistant

SMART | Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant Timely

SPED | Special Education

SRSS | Student Risk Screening Scale

SSID | Statewide Student Identifier

SSIS | Social Skills Improvement System

SSPI | State Superintendent of Public Instruction

SSRS | Social Skills Rating Scale

SST | Student Study Team

STAR | Standardized Testing & Reporting

STS | Standards-Based Tests in Spanish

SWIS | School-Wide Information System

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T to Z Acronyms

TBI | Traumatic Brain Injury

TIPS | Team-Initiated Problem Solving

TISA | Temporary Intensive Supports Assessment

TPP | Transition Partnership Program

TRI | Triennial (Reevaluation)

UCP | Uniform Complaint Procedures

VI | Visual Impairment

WASC | Western Association of Schools & Colleges

WIOA | Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act

WAI | WorkAbility I

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