| ABA |
Applied Behavior Analysis
|
Behavioral intervention approach used to improve socially significant behaviors.
|
| ADA |
Americans with Disabilities Act |
Civil rights law prohibiting discrimination based on disability.
|
| ADR |
Alternative Dispute Resolution
|
Process for resolving disputes outside of formal hearings.
|
| AIM |
Accessible Instructional Materials |
Educational materials accessible to students with print disabilities.
|
| ALJ |
Administrative Law Judge |
Official who presides over special education due process hearings.
|
| APE |
Adapted Physical Education |
Specialized PE for students with disabilities.
|
| ASD |
Autism Spectrum Disorder |
Disability category under IDEA.
|
| AT |
Assistive Technology |
Devices or services aiding access to education.
|
| BIP |
Behavior Intervention Plan |
Plan developed to address behaviors interfering with learning.
|
| CAASP |
California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress |
Statewide testing system for student performance.
|
| CAC |
Community Advisory Committee |
Group advising the SELPA on special education programs.
|
| CAPA |
California Alternate Performance Assessment
|
Alternate assessment for students with significant disabilities.
|
| CASEMIS |
California Special Education Management Information System
|
State data system for special education (now replaced by CALPADS SPED).
|
| CALPADS |
California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System
|
State system managing student-level data including special education.
|
| CCR |
California Code of Regulations |
Contains state rules, including Title 5 education regulations.
|
| CDE |
California Department of Education |
State agency overseeing public education.
|
| CEC |
Council for Exceptional Children |
Professional organization for special educators.
|
| CFR |
Code of Federal Regulations |
Federal rules implementing IDEA and other education laws.
|
| CMA |
California Modified Assessment |
Alternate state assessment for eligible students (no longer active).
|
| COE |
County Office of Education |
County-level agency supporting districts and SELPAs.
|
| CPT |
Child Protective Team |
Team supporting students with safety and welfare concerns.
|
| CST |
California Standards Test |
Former statewide test under STAR program.
|
| CWA |
Child Welfare and Attendance |
Supports student attendance and engagement.
|
| DB |
Deaf-Blindness |
Eligibility category under IDEA.
|
| DD |
Developmental Delay |
Eligibility category for children ages 3-5.
|
| DHH |
Deaf and Hard of Hearing |
Eligibility category under IDEA.
|
| DIS |
Designated Instruction and Services |
Related services necessary for FAPE.
|
| DOE |
Department of Education
|
Federal or state-level education department.
|
| DOR |
Department of Rehabilitation |
California agency assisting transition-aged youth.
|
| ED |
Emotional Disturbance |
Eligibility category under IDEA.
|
| EL |
English Learner
|
Student learning English as a second language.
|
| ELD |
English Language Development |
Instruction for English learners.
|
| ERH |
Educationally Related Mental Health Services |
Mental health services related to IEP goals.
|
| ESY |
Extended School Year
|
Special education services during breaks.
|
| FAPE |
Free Appropriate Public Education |
Educational right under IDEA and Section 504.
|
| FBA |
Functional Behavioral Assessment |
Process analyzing causes of behaviors.
|
| FERPA |
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act |
Federal law protecting student records.
|
| GE |
General Education
|
Educational setting for non-disabled peers.
|
| IDEA |
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act |
Federal special education law.
|
| IEE |
Independent Educational Evaluation |
Evaluation by an outside qualified professional.
|
| IEP |
Individualized Education Program |
Written plan for eligible students.
|
| IFSP |
Individualized Family Service Plan |
Plan for early intervention services (birth–3).
|
| IHCP |
Individualized Health Care Plan |
Plan for students with health needs.
|
| IPT |
Instructional Planning Team |
Team reviewing student progress and supports.
|
| ISP |
Individual Service Plan
|
Plan for private school students receiving limited services.
|
| ITP |
Individual Transition Plan |
Section of IEP focused on postsecondary goals.
|
| LCI |
Licensed Children’s Institution |
Residential placement for children under agency care.
|
| LRE |
Least Restrictive Environment |
Students should be educated with peers to the maximum extent appropriate.
|
| LEA |
Local Educational Agency
|
Public district or agency responsible for education.
|
| MH |
Mental Health
|
Related to counseling or ERH services.
|
| MD |
Multiple Disabilities |
Eligibility category under IDEA.
|
| MDR |
Manifestation Determination Review |
Meeting to determine if misconduct is related to disability.
|
| MR |
Mental Retardation
|
Outdated term replaced with Intellectual Disability (ID).
|
| MTSS |
Multi-Tiered System of Support |
Framework supporting all learners with layered interventions. |
| NPA |
Nonpublic Agency |
Private agency providing related services via district contract. |
| NPS |
Nonpublic School |
Private school certified to provide special education services. |
| OAH |
Office of Administrative Hearings |
Handles special education due process hearings. |
| OHI |
Other Health Impairment |
Eligibility category for students with health conditions affecting learning. |
| OI |
Orthopedic Impairment |
Eligibility category for students with physical disabilities. |
| OT |
Occupational Therapy |
Related service supporting fine motor or sensory needs. |
| PBIS |
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports |
Schoolwide behavioral framework. |
| PLAAFP |
Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance |
Section of IEP describing student’s current functioning. |
| PT |
Physical Therapy |
Related service supporting gross motor needs. |
| PWN |
Prior Written Notice |
Notification required before changes in IEP services or placement. |
| RSP |
Resource Specialist Program |
Service model for students with mild/moderate disabilities. |
| RTI |
Response to Intervention |
Academic and behavioral intervention process prior to referral. |
| SAI |
Specialized Academic Instruction |
California service term replacing RSP/SDC labels. |
| SBE |
State Board of Education |
Governing body for state education policy. |
| SIRAS |
Special Education Information Reporting and Accountability System |
Data management system used by many California LEAs. |
| SST |
Student Study Team |
Team identifying interventions prior to referral. |
| SDC |
Special Day Class |
Specialized classroom for students needing intensive support. |
| SEA |
State Educational Agency |
In California, the CDE. |
| SELPA |
Special Education Local Plan Area |
Regional governance entity overseeing special education programs. |
| SEIS |
Special Education Information System |
Electronic system for IEP management used by LEAs. |
| SLD |
Specific Learning Disability |
Eligibility category under IDEA. |
| SLP |
Speech-Language Pathologist |
Specialist providing speech/language services. |
| SPED |
Special Education |
Educational services for students with disabilities. |
| SWD |
Student With a Disability |
General term referring to students receiving special education. |
| TBI |
Traumatic Brain Injury |
Eligibility category under IDEA. |
| TD |
Typical Development |
Used for comparison in developmental assessments. |
| VI |
Visual Impairment |
Eligibility category under IDEA. |
| 504 |
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act |
Civil rights law ensuring access for students with disabilities. |