Glossary of

Terms

SPECIAL EDUCATION ACRONYMS

This list is not comprehensive; it is intended as a quick reference.

A

AAC augmentative and alternative communication

AAD adaptive assistive devices

AAT advanced academic training

AAVE African American Vernacular English (Black English or Ebonics)

AB Assembly Bill, Adaptive Behavior

ABA applied behavior analysis

ABD antisocial behavior disorders

ABE adult basic education

ABVIII Area Board 8

AC alternative certification

ACROS automated cross referencing occupational system

ACSA Association of California School Administrators

ACSE Advisory Commission on Special Education

ACT American College Testing

AD attachment disorder

ADA Americans with Disabilities Act; average daily attendance

ADC aid to dependent children

ADD attention

ADHD attention deficit with hyperactivity disorder

ADL activities of daily living

ADM average daily membership

ADR alternative dispute resolution

ADVOC-NET adult vocational network

ADE Average Daily Enrollment

AEA acquired eleptiform aphasia (Landau-Kleffner syndrome)

AEP alternative education placement

AFDC aid to families with dependent children

AFS adult and family services

AG annual goal

AHSD adult high school diploma

AI auditorily impaired

AIDS acquired immune deficiency syndrome

AIR American Institutes for Research

AIT Agency for Instructional Technology

ALJ Administrative Law Judge

ALO alternative learning options

ALS advance life support

AMD alternative mobility device

AP advanced placement

APD antisocial personality disorder; auditory processing disorder

APE adaptive physical education

APPE average per pupil expenditure

ARD admission, review, and dismissal [committee]

ARP advisory review panel

ASC advanced study center

ASD autism spectrum disorder

ASDO alternative service delivery options

American Sign Language

assistive technology

area technical center; alternative teacher certification

alternative teacher certification program

Autistic

Autism

area vocational technical institute

annual yearly progress

behavior adjustment class

Basic Adult Skills Inventory System

Bakersfield City School District

behaviorally disordered; behavior disorders; brain damaged

behavioral education plan

basic education study team

bilingual education technical assistance centers

brain injury

Brain Injury Association; Bureau of Indian Affairs

Behavior Intervention Case Manager

Bilingual

behavior intervention plan

basic life support

behavior management plan

Board of Comprehensive Education Services (New York State)

chronological age

Community Advisory Committee, California Administrative Code

California High School Exit Exam

computer-assisted instruction

California Services for Technical Assistance and Training

certificate of advanced mastery

central auditory processing

California Alternate Performance Based Assessment central auditory processing disorders; see also APD (auditory processing disorder)

committee on accessible transportation

curriculum based assessment

children with behavioral and emotional difficulty

community-based instruction

curriculum based measurement

cross categorical

Community Care Facility

Coordinated Compliance Review

California Children Services

communication development; conduct disorder

child development and rehabilitation center

California Department of Education

child development specialist

child development and rehabilitation center

Council for Exceptional Children

community and family living amendments

ASL

AT ATC

ATCP AU AUT AVTI AYP

B BAC BASIS BCSD BD

BEP BEST

BETAC BI BIA BICM

BIL BIP

BLS BMP BOCES

C CA

CAC CAHSEE CAI

CaLSTAT CAM

CAP CAPA CAPD

CAT CBA CBE CBI

CBM

CC

CCF CCR CCS CD CDA CDE CDS CDRC

CEC CFLA

CFR code of federal regulations

CH communicatively/communication handicapped

CHAP child health assurance program

CHD center on human development

CHI closed head injury

CIL center for independent living

CIM certificate of initial mastery

CLAS culturally and linguistically appropriate services

CLD culturally and linguistically diverse

CMA Cal Modified Assistance

CMHP community mental health program

CNS central nervous system

COE county office of education

COGAT cognitive abilities test

CPS child protection services

COLA cost of living adjustment

COTA certified occupational therapist assistant

CP cerebral palsy

CPPC cooperative personnel planning council

CPSE committee on preschool special education

CSA childhood sexual abuse

CSE case study evaluation; committee on special education

CSEF Center for Special Education Finance

CSPD comprehensive system of personnel development

CSS community support service

CTT community transition team

CWPT class wide peer tutoring

D

D deaf

D&E diagnosis and evaluation

DAP developmentally appropriate practices

DARTS day and residential treatment services

DAS developmental apraxia of speech

DB; DBL deaf-blind

DC development center

DCD developmental coordination disorder

DD developmental disabilities; developmentally delayed

DDC developmental disabilities council

DDD division of developmental disabilities

DDS Department of Developmental Services

DHHAP deaf and hard of hearing access program

DHR Department of Human Resources

DHS Department of Health Services

DI direct instruction

DIS designated instruction and services

DNR do not resuscitate

DoDDS US Dept. of Defense Dependent Schools

DOE Department of Education

DOF Department of Finance

DON determination of need

DREDF Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund

DRDP Desired results development profile

DRG diagnostically related groups

DS direction service

DSM Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (for Mental Disorders)

E

EBD emotional and behavioral disorders

EC early childhood; exceptional child[ren]

ECE early childhood education

ECI early childhood intervention

ECSE early childhood special education

ECT early childhood team

ED emotionally disturbed; emotional disorders; US Department of Education

EDGAR Education Department General Administrative Regulations

EE English emersion

EEs essential elements

EEN exceptional education needs

EFA experimental functional analysis

EHA Education for All Handicapped Children Ace (since 1990, known as

the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA])

EI early intervention

EI/ECSE English language learner

ELD English language development

EMDR eye movement desensitization and reprocessing

EMH educable mentally handicapped

EMR educable mentally retarded

EMT emergency medical treatment

EPSDT early periodic screening diagnosis and treatment program

EQ exceptional quality

ERAF Education Revenue Augmentation Fund

ERC education resource center

ERIC Education Resources Information Center

ESA education service agency

ESC education service center

ESD education service district

ESE exceptional student education

ESEA Elementary and Secondary Education Act

ESL English as a second language

ESOL English for speakers of other languages

ETP effective teaching practices

ESY extended school year

EYS extended year services (ECSE)

F

FAA functional analysis assessment

FAIP functional assessment and intervention program

FAPE free appropriate public education

FAS/FAE fetal alcohol syndrome/fetal alcohol exposure

FAST functional academic skills test

FBA functional behavior assessment

FC facilitated communication; foster care

FDAB Fair Dismissal Appeals Board FEC Family Empowerment Center FEP fully English proficient

FES fluent English speaker

FERPA Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act (aka the Buckley Amendment)

FFA Foster Family Agency

FFH Family Foster Home

FIEP facilitated individualized education program

FIPSA fund for the improvement of postsecondary education

FMLA Family Medical Leave Act

FR federal register

FRC Family Resource Center

FSA Family Support Act

FSHA first source hiring agreement

FSD flexible service delivery model

FTE full-time equivalent

FY fiscal year

G

GAPS guardianship, advocacy, and protective services

GATES gifted and talented evaluation scales

GSE generic special education

GT gifted and talented

H

HBCU historically black colleges and universities

HBV Hepatitis B Virus

H.E.A.R.T.S. Help Encourage Advocate Resources Training Support

Connection

HFA high-functioning autism

HI health impaired; hearing impaired

HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

HIV human immune deficiency virus

HOH hard of hearing

HOTS higher-order thinking skills

HOUSSE high, objective, uniform state standards of evaluation

HQ highly qualified

HS head start; high school

HSC high school completion

I

IA instructional assistant

IASA Improving America’s Schools Act

IAES interim alternative educational setting

ICC interagency coordinating council

ICD international code of diseases

ICDP individual career development plans

ICF intermediate care facility

ICFMR intermediate care facility for mental retardation

IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

IDEIA Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act

IDELR Individuals with Disabilities Education Law Report (from LRP Pubs.)

IDT inter-district transfer IED intermittent explosive disorder IEE independent education evaluation

IEP individualized education program

IEPC individualized educational planning committee

IEPT Individualized Education Program Team

IEU intermediate educational unit

IFA individualized functional assessment

IFSP individualized family service plan

IHE institution of higher education

IHCP individualized health care plan

IHTP individualized habilitation and treatment plan

ILC independent living center

ILP independent living plan

ILT instructional leadership training

IMC instructional materials center

IML instructional materials laboratory

IPE individualized plan for employment

IPL initial program load

IPP individualized program plan

IQ intelligence quotient

ISA Individual Service Agreement (for NPS/NPA)

ISP individualized service plan

ITH intensive training home

ITIP instructional theory into practice

ITP Individualized Treatment Plan; Individualized Transition Plan

IWEN individual with exceptional needs

IWRP individual written rehabilitation plan

J

JDRP joint dissemination review panel

JOBS job opportunities and basic skills

JPA joint powers agreement

JTPA Job Training Partnership Act

JJAEP juvenile justice alternative education

K

KCMH Kern County Mental Health

KCSOS Kern County Superintendent of Schools

KHSD Kern High School District

KMC Kern Medical Center

KPI key performance indicators

KRC Kern Regional Center

L

LA language arts

LAO Legislative Analyst’s Office

LAS language assessment score

LCI licensed children’s institution

LD learning disabilities; learning disabled

LDA Learning Disabilities Association

LDP language development program

LEA local education agency LEDS law enforcement data system LEP limited English proficient

LES limited English speaking

LH learning handicapped

LI low incidence

LICC local interagency coordinating council

LIFE living in functional environments

LoF letter of finding issued by the Office for civil Rights (OCR)

LPA local planning area

LPTA licensed physical therapy assistant

LRE least restrictive environment

LSS language and speech services

LSSP licensed specialist in school psychology

LTCF long-term care facility

LTCT long-term care and treatment

M

MA mental age

MBD minimal brain dysfunction

MBO management by objective

MDC multi-disciplinary conference

MDT multidisciplinary team; manifest determination team

M/ED mental or emotional disturbance

MESC migrant education service center

MFCU medically fragile children’s unit

MH multiply handicapped

MHM multihandicapped mainstream

MHMR mental health mental retardation

MI multiple intelligences

MIS management information systems

MMR mild mental retardation

MMS mastery management system

MOE maintenance of effort

MOU memorandum of understanding

MOVE mobility opportunities via education

MR mentally retarded or mental retardation

MR/DD mentally retarded/developmentally disabled

MR/MED mentally retarded and mentally or emotionally disturbed (sometimes referred

to as dual diagnosis)

MS multiple sclerosis

MSDD multisystem developmental disorder

MSRTS migrant student record transfer system

MST multisystemic therapy

MTU medical therapy unit

N

NASDSE National Association of State Directors of Special Education

NCES National Center for Education Statistics

NCLB;NCLBA No Child Left Behind Act

NDT neurodevelopmental treatment

NEA National Education Association

NEP non-English proficient

NICU neonatal intensive care unit NOI notice of insufficiency NPS nonpublic school

NSBA National School Boards Association

NSS necessary small SELPAs

O

OAH Office of Administrative Hearings

O&M orientation and mobility

OCD obsessive compulsive disorder

OCR Office of Civil Rights

ODAS occupational data analysis system

ODD oppositional defiant disorder

OE open entries

OECD Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development

OH orthopedically handicapped

OHI other health impairments

OI orthopedically impaired

OMH other multihandicapped

OMI other minorities

OSEP Office of Special Education Programs, US Department of Education

OSERS Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

OT occupational therapy/therapist

OT/PT occupational therapy/physical therapy

P

P and A protection and advocacy

PACER parent advocacy coalition for educational rights center

PALS peer-assisted learning system

PAVE parents advocating for vocational education

PCA personal care attendant

PCD perceptual communicative disability

PDAS professional development and appraisal system

PDD pervasive development disorder

PDD-NOS pervasive development disorder—not otherwise specified

PEATC parent education advocacy training center

PECS picture exchange communication system

PEIMS public education information management system

PEL present education level

PENT positive environment, network of trainers

PERS public employees retirement system

PET pupil evaluation team

PH physically handicapped

PI program improvement

PIC private industry council

PIQ performance IQ

PKU phenylketonuria

PL primary language; public law

PLATO programmed logic automatic teaching operations

PLI pragmatic language impairment

PLOP present level of performance

PPCD preschool program for children with disabilities

PPS pupil personnel services

PPT planning and placement team

PRE-K pre-kindergarten

PS program specialists

PSRS Procedural Safeguards and Referral Service

PT physical therapy/therapist

PTA physical therapist assistant; post-traumatic amnesia

PTG parent teacher group

PTSD post-traumatic stress disorder

PVS persistent vegetative state; private vocational schools

PY project year

Q

QAFB questions about functional behavior

QAP quality assurance process

QMRP qualified mental retardation professional

R

RAD reactive attachment disorder

RCF residential care facility

RCH residential care home

RDD reading disorder-dyslexia

R&D research & development

REBT rational emotive behavior therapy

REI regular education initiative

RFP request for proposal

RISE resources in special education

RL revenue limit

RLA responsible local educational agency

RMT regional management team

ROC Regional Occupational Center

ROP regional occupational program

RRC regional resource centers

RS resource specialist

RT recreational therapist; recreational therapy

RTH residential training home

RtI response to intervention

RWQC regional workforce quality committee

S

SACS standardized account code structure

SAT scholastic aptitude test

SBE; SBOE state board of education

SB L-M Stanford-Binet, Form L-M (language/memory)

SBS schoolwide behavior supports

SDA service delivery area

SDC special day class

SDE self-directed employment

SE special education

SEA state education agency; state education association

SEACO Special Education Administrators of County Offices

SEAP state education advisory panel

SECC special education child count

SECTION 504 a part of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 making it illegal for any

organization receiving federal funds discriminate against a person

solely on the basis of disability

SD standard deviation

SDL severe disorder of language

SED Seriously emotionally disturbed; Special Education Division (CDE)

SEEDS special education early delivery system

SELPA Special Education Local Plan Area

SEMS special education management system

SENCO special education needs coordinator

SENG supporting the emotional needs of the gifted

SERVE secondary education reporting of vocational enrollment

SESR special education self-review

SH severely handicapped

SI speech impaired

SIB self-injurious behavior

SICC state interagency coordinating council

SID student identification number

SIG state improvement grant

SILP semi-independent living program

SIP state improvement plan

SIS state improvement plan

SIT student intervention team

SLC structured learning center

SLD specific learning disability

SLH speech, language, hearing

SLI speech/language impairment

SLP speech-language pathologist

SLPA speech-language pathologist assistant

SLR state liaison representative

SM socially maladjusted

SNF skilled nursing facility

SPeNSE study of personnel needs in special education

SOL standards of learning

SOP state operated programs (diagnostic centers, state special schools)

SOSCF state offices for services to children and families

SPD semantic pragmatic disorder

SPED special education

SPI Superintendent of Public Instruction

SPLD semantic pragmatic language disorder

SPP state performance plan

S-R stimulus-response

SSA social security act; Social Security Administration

SSBD septimatic screening for behavior disorders

SSC School Site Council

SSD social security disability

SSDI social security disability income

SSI statewide systemic initiative; supplemental security income

SSN Social Security Number

SSPI State Superintendent of Public Instruction

SSS state special schools

SST student study team; student support team

STAR standardized testing and reporting program

STO short-term objective

STRS state teachers retirement system

T

TAAS test of auditory analysis skills

TAB talented and gifted

TB tuberculosis

TBI traumatic brain injury

TDD telecommunication devices for the deaf

TDS therapeutic day school

TEACCH treatment and education of autistic and communication

TESOL teachers of English for speakers of other languages

TIP teacher improvement process

TLC therapeutic learning center

TMH trainable mentally retarded

TPP transition planning process

TOVA test of variable attention

TSL transition services language

TTY teletypewriter (phone system for deaf individuals – See TDD)

U

UAF university affiliated facility

UCE university centers for excellence

USC United States Code

V

VAC vocational adjustment counselor; vocational adjustment class

VCD volitional conduct disorder

VE vocational education

VEDS vocational education data systems

VH visually handicapped

VI visually impaired

VRD vocational rehabilitation division

VSA very special arts

W

WAC work activity center

WISC-R Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children-Revised

WISC-III Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition

WOD written output disorder

WOF written offer of FAPE

WQC workplace quality council

WRAP wraparound program

Y

YRE Year Round Education

YTP youth transition program

GLOSSARY OF SPECIAL EDUCATION TERMINOLOGY

“A Child with a Disability”: A student who has been properly evaluated in accordance with regulations that

are found to have a disability which results in the need for special education and related services.

Accommodations: Techniques and materials that don’t change the basic curriculum but do aid in learning

and/or communication skills.

Accommodations in State-wide Assessment: Changes in format, response, setting, timing or scheduling that

do not alter in any significant way what the test measures or the comparability of scores.

Adapted Physical Education (APE): This related service is for students with disabilities who require

developmental or corrective physical education.

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP): Under NCLB, each State establishes a definition of ―adequate yearly

progress‖ to use each year to determine the achievement of each school district and school. The new

definition of AYP is diagnostic in nature, and intended to highlight where schools need improvement and

should focus their resources.

Administrative Law Judge (ALJ): Independent Administrative Law Judges who preside over special

education due process hearings in California.

Administrative Unit (AU): The responsible local education agency where the SELPA office is located and

where the state and federal funding is allocated.

Advocacy: Recognizing and communication of needs, rights, and interests on behalf of a child; making

informed choices.

Age of Majority: Rights are transferred from the parent to the student on the student’s 18th birthday. This

must be addressed by the IEP team prior to the student reaching age 18.

Alternate Curriculum: The alternate curriculum issued for students with moderate to severe disabilities to

access the seven core areas of the California State Frameworks.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): ADR is an informal process for resolving conflicts between

districts and parents of students with disabilities.

American with Disabilities Act (ADA): This act prohibits discrimination of individuals based on

disability. It requires public transportation services to be accessible to individuals with disabilities and

prohibits discrimination in employment of qualified individuals with disabilities.

Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA): The design, implementation, and evaluation of systematic

environmental modifications for the purpose of producing socially significant improvements in and

understanding of human behavior based on the principles of behavior identified through the experimental

analysis of behavior. It includes the identification of functional relationships between behavior and

environments. It uses direct observation and measurement of behavior and environment. Contextual

factors, establishing operations, antecedent stimuli, positive reinforcers, and other consequences are used,

based on identified functional relationships with the environment, in order to produce practical behavior

change.

Assessment: A collecting and bringing together of information about a child’s needs, which may include

social, psychological, and educational evaluations used to determine services; a process using observation,

testing, and test analysis to determine an individual’s strengths and weaknesses in order to plan his or her

educational services.

Assistive Technology Device: Any item, piece of equipment, or product system that is used to increase,

maintain, or improve the functional capabilities of a child with a disability.

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (AD/HD): A neurobehavioral disorder that causes an

individual to be inattentive or hyperactive/impulsive, or to display a combination of those symptoms.

Auditory Processing: The ability to understand and use information that is heard, both words as well as

nonverbal sounds.

Autism: A disability – characterized by severe language and communication deficits, lack of normal

relatedness, unusual movement and self-stimulatory patterns, lack of normal handling of toys and other

objects, and a lack of most normal functional skills.

Behavioral Emergency: The demonstration of a serious behavior problem (1) which has not previously

been observed and for which a behavioral intervention plan has not been developed; or (2) for which a

previously designed behavioral intervention is not effective. Approved behavioral emergency procedures

must be outlined in the special education local planning area (SELPA) local plan.

Behavioral Intervention: The systematic implementation of procedures that result in lasting positive

changes in the individual’s behavior.

Behavior Intervention Case Manager (BICM): A certificated person who has been trained in behavior

analysis with an emphasis on positive behavior interventions.

Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP): Systematic implementation of procedures that result in lasting

positive changes in a student’s behavior.

CAHSEE: California High School Exit Exam – State law passed in 1999. Implementation timeline

pending. Passing required for diploma issuance. Individual school board waivers may apply.

CAA: California Alternate Assessment, the alternate assessment to STAR (California Standardized

Testing & Reporting) Program for children, who cannot take part in general statewide assessment.

California Master Plan for Special Education: Document adopted January 11, 1974 by the California

State Board of Education that includes philosophies, goals and guidelines for planning more comprehensive

services for all individuals identified as having exceptional needs.

California Special Education Management Information System (CASEMIS): This is an information and

retrieval system in special education, developed by the CDE special Education Division. The system

provides the local education agency a statewide standard for maintaining a common core of special

education data at the local level. The SELPA assists districts with the collection of this data.

California Children Services (CCS): Agency which provides medically necessary physical and

occupational therapy for students eligible under CCS criteria.

Cerebral Palsy (CP): A disorder, not a disease, caused by damage to the brain, usually at birth. May

result in neurologically related conditions: seizures, mental retardation, abnormal sensation and perception,

impairment of sight, hearing or speech.

Certificate of Achievement: Awarded to students per individual district policy. Do not pass CAHSEE.

Certificate of Completion: Awarded to students per individual district policy. Do not pass CAHSEE.

Child Advocates: Parents, teachers, and professionals trained to provide practical information and support to

parents whose children are participating in special education programs.

Chronologically Age-Appropriate: Making the activities, behaviors, or settings of a disabled child as

similar as possible to those of a non-disabled child of the same age.

Cognitive Abilities: The mental process of knowing, including aspects such as awareness, perception,

reasoning and judgment.

Collaboration: Working in partnership on behalf of a child, e.g., parent and teacher, or special education

teacher and general education teacher.

Community Advisory Committee (CAC): A committee composed of parents of students with

disabilities, parents of other students in the district, district personnel and interested community members

appointed by each district board. The CAC serves in an advisory capacity to the SELPA Governing Board.

Community Based Instruction (CBI): A model for delivery of instruction in which the IEP goals are met in a

―natural‖ age-appropriate setting. For example, math, sequencing, travel, and social skills may all be

developed in the setting of a trip to the grocery store.

Compliance Complaint: Complaint filed with the California Department of Education by a person who

feels that a special education law has been violated. Most common would be a service as specified in an IEP

that is not being implemented.

Consent: Parent(s) have been fully informed of all information relevant to the activity for which consent is

sought, in the primary language, or other mode of communication of the parent. The parent understands and

agrees in writing to the carrying out of the activity for which the consent is sought and the consent

describes that activity including lists of the records (if any) that will be released and to whom. The parent

understands that the granting of consent is voluntary on the part of the parent and may be revoked at any

time.

Deaf-Blind (DB): A disability – a loss of both hearing and vision abilities requiring special education to

achieve full potential.

Designated Instructional Service (DIS): The federal term is related services. Transportation and such

developmental, corrective and other supportive services as are required to assist the child with a disability to

benefit from special education, and to include and not limited to: speech./language therapy and audio

logical services, psychological services, physical and occupational therapy, recreation including therapeutic

recreation, counseling services, orientation and mobility services.

Developmental Disability: A disability originating in the developmental period (before 18) which is due to

mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or other conditions found to be closely related to

retardation. Constitutes a substantial handicap to the person in the three or more areas of major life

activity.

Diploma: Issued upon completion of all district requirements including CAHSEE (if required).

Disability Code: Areas of student eligibility for special education (mental retardation, hard of hearing,

deafness, speech or language impairment, visual impairment, emotional disturbance, orthopedic

impairment, other health impairment, specific learning disability, deaf-blindness, multiple disability,

autism, traumatic brain injury).

Discrepancy: A difference between two tests, such as intellectual ability and achievement.

Down’s Syndrome: Also known as trisomy 21, the condition is characterized by mental deficiency,

physical abnormalities, and a higher than usual susceptibility to infection.

Due Process: Procedural safeguards to ensure the protection of the rights of the parent, guardian and the

student under IDEA and related state and federal laws and regulations.

Early Childhood Education (ECE): Early identification and special education and related services that are

provided to children ages 0-5.

Early Intervention Program: A program in which problems that have been discovered in a child’s

development are remediated before the child’s later development and learning are seriously affected.

Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA): This act was reauthorized in 2002 as NCLB. The

intent is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal and significant opportunity to obtain a high quality

education and reach, at a minimum, proficiency on challenging State academic achievement standard and

state assessments.

Emergency Interventions: May be used by school personnel to control unpredictable, spontaneous

behavior which poses a clear and present danger of serious physical harm to the individual or others or

serious property damage.

Emotionally Disturbed (E.D.): A particular category of exceptionality as defined by Federal and State

laws oriented towards students considered emotionally or behaviorally exceptional. After formal

assessment, services may be provided through the IEP process.

Encroachment: The difference between the amount spent on a particular program and the amount of

categorical aid received for that program. It is the amount of unrestricted fund monies spent in support of a

categorical program.

English Language Learner (ELL): Students for whom parents indicate a language other than English as

primary for the student on their home language survey.

Epilepsy: A chronic disorder of the central nervous system which causes seizures characterized by sudden,

brief attacks of altered consciousness and/or uncontrolled motor activity (movement).

Evaluation: Procedures used by qualified personnel to determine whether a child has a disability and the

nature and extent of the special education and related services that the child needs. The term means

procedures used selectively with an individual child and does not include basic test administered or

procedures used with all children in a school, grade or class.

Expedited Due Process Hearing: Is a Hearing that results in a written decision being mailed to the parties

within 45 days of the request for the hearing, without exceptions or extensions.

Extended School Year (ESY): Special education and related services that (a) Are provided to a child with a

disability; (b) Beyond the normal school year, normally conducted during the summer months; (c) In

accordance with the child’s IEP; and, (d) Meets the standard of the State Educational Agency.

Facilitated IEP: A facilitated IEP is a component of the SELPA ADR process. SELPA or parents may

request to have a facilitated IEP. A facilitated IEP is developed by a collaborative team whose members

share responsibility for the meeting process and results. Decision making is managed through the use of

essential facilitation skills.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA): The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act is a

Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.

Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE): Entitles a public school child with a disability to an

educational program and related services to meet her unique educational needs at no cost to the parents;

based on IEP; under public supervision and meets state standards.

Functional Analysis Assessment (FAA): Is a comprehensive assessment of behavior done by a SELPA

certified behavior intervention case manager (BICM) when an IEP team finds that instructional behavioral

approaches specified in the student’s IEP have been ineffective.

Gifted and Talented Education (GATE): A program designed to meet the educational needs of students

with above average intelligence in specific learning areas. A student may be eligible for both special

education and GATE.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): This is a medical privacy act that

established national standards to protect the privacy of personal health information.

Hearing Disabled/Hearing Impaired (DHOH): A disability – a hearing loss that interferes with the

ability to understand or use language and that affects learning in school.

High, Objective, Uniform State Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE): An alternative method to

assessing teacher subject matter competency is the High Objective, Uniform State Standard of Evaluation

(HOUSSE). HOUSSE allows current teachers to demonstrate subject matter competency and Highly

Qualified Teacher (HQT) requirements through a combination of proven teaching experience, professional

development, and knowledge in the subject acquired over time through working in the field.

Inclusion: Inclusion is educating each child, to the maximum extent appropriate, in the school and

classroom he or she would otherwise attend. It involves bringing the support services to the child (rather

than moving the child to the services) and requires only that the child will benefit from being in the class

(rather than having to keep up with the other students).

Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE): An evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who is not

employed by the district responsible for the education of the child.

Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP): Each eligible infant or toddler has an IFSP. The individual

family service plan is in place of the IEP.

Individual Program Plan (IPP): An annually reviewed record of program and service needs provided by the

Regional Center (i.e., respite care, behavior management training, etc.)

Individual Services Plan (ISP): The plan that is used for students who are enrolled in private schools by

their parents that describes the specific special education and related services that the LEA will provide to the

child.

Individual Transition Plan (ITP): An educational plan designed to facilitate a student’s move from one

setting to another (e.g., from one class room or school to another or from school to work).

Individual Transition Plan (ITP) Life/Career Planning: Plan that is included in the student’s IEP before age

16 or younger that addresses transition needs and interagency responsibilities or linkages that are needed

for the student to successfully transition from school to adult life.

Individual with Exceptional Needs (IWEN): Legislative term for students with special needs. A pupil

whose educational needs cannot be met by a regular classroom teacher, even with modifications of the

regular school program, and who requires and will benefit from special instruction and/or services.

Excluded are children whose needs are due solely or primarily to unfamiliarity with the English language or

to cultural differences.

Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDE(I)A 2004): Federal law that ensures that

all children with disabilities have available to them a free appropriate public education that emphasizes special

education and related services designed to meet their unique needs and prepare them for

employment and independent living. The Act was reauthorized in 2004.

Individualized Educational Program (IEP): Plan which describes the child’s present level of educational

performance, sets annual goals and instructional objectives, and describes the special education program and

related services needed to meet those goals and objectives if appropriate.

Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP): See Early Intervention Program. This plan includes services the

family will receive. Birth to 3 years of age.

Informed Consent: In accordance with 34 Code of Federal Regulations and Education Code: (1) Parent has

been fully informed of all information relevant to the activity for which consent is sought, in his/her primary

language or other mode of communication, (2) The parent understands and agrees in writing to the carrying out

of the activity for which his/her consent is sought, and the consent describes the activity and lists the record

(if any) which will be released and to whom, and (3) The parent understands that the granting of consent

is voluntary on his/her part and may be revoked at any time.

Intellectual Disability (ID): Present when a person has intellectual function that is more than two

standard deviations below the norm: mild retardation – IQ scores between 55-59; moderate retardation – IQ

scores between 40-4; severe retardation – IQ scores between 25-39 and profound retardation – IQ score 25.

Interim Alternative Educational Setting (IAES): IAESs are intended to serve short-term, transitional

purposes. With few exceptions, IAESs serve as settings in which students with disabilities are placed

pending either a return to the student’s current educational placement or a change in educational placement.

Key Performance Indicators (KPI): The CDE looks at specific indicators to monitor district’s

compliance with state and federal laws. An example of a KPI would be percentage of time a student is

removed from general education classroom.

Least Restrictive Environment (LRE): In accordance with State and Federal law, students with

disabilities will be provided special education and related services in a setting which promotes interaction

with the general school population, to a degree appropriate to the needs of both. The concept of LRE

includes a variety of options designed and available to meet the diverse and changing needs of students.

The least restrictive environment is determined by the IEP team on an individual student basis. The

principle of LRE is intended to ensure that the child with a disability is served in a setting where the child can

be educated successfully.

Local Educational Agency (LEA): A school district, a county office of education, or a charter school

participating as a member of a special education local plan area, or a special education local plan area.

Local Plan for Special Education: The model for delivery of programs and services that schools will

provide to meet the educational needs of eligible individuals with exceptional needs living within the

geographic boundaries covered by the Plan. It is submitted by a SELPA to the State Department of

Education.

Low Incidence Disability: Severe disability with an expected incidence of less than one percent of the

total statewide enrollment. The conditions are hearing impairment, vision impairment, severe orthopedic

impairment, or any combination thereof.

Mainstreaming: Refers to the selective placement of students with disabilities in one or more general

education classes and or extra –curricular activities.

Manifestation Determination: If a disciplinary action is taken that involves the removal of a student with a

disability that constitutes a change in placement therefore a review must be conducted of the relationship

between the child’s disability and the behavior subject to the action.

Maintenance of Effort (MOE): The general rule under MOE requirements is that districts must spend the

same level of state of local funds (or local funds only on special education as in the prior year) either in

terms of total or per-pupil expenditures.

Medical Therapy Unit (MTU): Space provided by local educational agencies for the provision of

medically necessary occupational and physical therapy provided by CCS therapists.

Modification: Changes in the delivery, content, or instructional level of a subject or test. They result in

altered expectations and create a different standard for children with disabilities than for those without

disabilities.

Multidisciplinary Team: Professionals with different training and expertise; may include, but not limited to,

any combination of the following public school personnel – general education teacher, special education

teacher,

administrator, school psychologist, speech and language therapist, counselor – and the parent.

No Child Left Behind (NCLB): The No Child Left Behind Act, signed into law in 2002, has expanded the

federal role in education and set requirements in place that affect every public school in America. At the

core of No Child Left Behind are measures designed to close achievement gaps between different groups of

students.

Non-Public Agencies (NPA): A private, nonsectarian establishment certified by the CDE that provides

contracted, related services to students with disabilities.

Non-Public Schools (NPS): A private, nonsectarian school certified by the CDE that enrolls students with

disabilities pursuant to an IEP.

Notice of Insufficiency (NOI): If a due process hearing request notice does not meet all of the

requirements as specified in IDEA, the district may file a notice of insufficiency with OAH so that the

issues of the complaint are more specific.

Occupational Therapy (OT): Services provided by a qualified occupational therapist that includes

improving ability to perform tasks for independent functioning.

Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH): Agency that ensures equal opportunity and accessibility for

users of programs and services that receive federal funding.

Orientation and Mobility: Services provided by qualified personnel to students who are blind or have a

visual impairment to enable those students to attain systematic orientation to and safe movement within

their environments in school, home and community.

Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP): The Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) is a

component of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), which is one of the

principal components of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). OSEP’s mission and organization focus on

the free appropriate public education of children and youth with disabilities from birth through age 21.

Other Health Impaired (OHI): A disability-having a chronic health problem which affects learning in

school.

Orientation and Mobility (O & M): A related service in which a child with visual impairments is trained to

know where his or her body is in space and to move through space.

Orthopedically Handicapped (OH): A disability involving the neuromuscular skeletal system that affects the

ability to move, as in paralysis or cerebral palsy.

Perceptual Motor Skills: The ability to perceive a situation, evaluate it, and make a judgment on what

action to take (e.g., copying shapes or crossing a street).

Primary Language: Language other than English, or other mode of communication such as sign

language, that the child first learned, or the language that is spoken in the home that parent indicates on

form.

Prior Written Notice: A written notice must be given to the parent(s) of a child with a disability in a

reasonable time before an LEA (a) proposes to initiate or change the identification, evaluation or

educational placement of the child or the provision of FAPE to the child’ or (b) refuses to initiate or change the

identification, evaluation or educational placement of a child or the provision of FAPE to the child.

Procedural Safeguards: This is also known as Parent Rights. Under federal law (Individuals with

Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004), parents of students with special needs are afforded

rights. Parents shall be given a copy of their rights and procedural safeguards only one time a year, except that

a copy also shall be given to the parents upon initial referral or parental request for assessment, upon the first

occurrence of the filing for a due process hearing and upon request by a parent. If you have questions

regarding the rights (they can be very cumbersome), please ask for help in understanding them.

Procedural Safeguards and Referral Service (PERS): This is the unit in special education division of the

CDE that handle complaints.

Program Specialist (PS): A specialist who holds a valid special education credential and has advanced

training and related experience in the education of students with disabilities.

Psychoeducational Assessment: Information gathered through formal assessment/ observation/interviews

obtained by a certified school psychologist presented to the IEP team for review and consideration.

Information is used to determine eligibility for special education services oriented toward instructional

placement.

Public Law 94-142 (Education of All Handicapped Children Act of 1975): Initial Federal legislation

governing the education of all handicapped. PL94-142 mandates that all public schools of the U.S. are to

provide a free, appropriate public education and related services to all handicapped children.‖ PL stands for

Public Law; 94 means the 94th Congress passed it, and 142 is the number of the law.

Public Law 101-476 (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act): Legislation that amended and changed title

of PL94-142.

Quality Assurance Process (QAP): Quality Assurance Process as developed by the CDE Special

Education Division, specifically the Focused Monitoring (FM) component, is designed to monitor the

practices, in an educational agency, that relate to effective learning for students with disabilities and to

ensure the enforcement of the protections guaranteed under the law to them and their families. Evidence of

learning needs are tied to high standards and measured by key performance indicators (KPIs).

Referral: Written request that a student be assessed to determine whether he/she has a disability that may

require special education and/or related services to benefit from his/her educational program.

Related Services: See Designated Instructional Services.

Regional Center (RC): Regional centers are nonprofit private corporations that have offices throughout

California to provide a local resource to help find and access the many services available to individuals

with developmental disabilities and their families. Bakersfield is support by Kern Regional Center.

Response to Intervention (RtI): The response-to-intervention (RtI) model is also often called the Three-

Tiered Model. It is being proposed as an alternative to the Discrepancy Model, the ―Wait to Fail Model,‖ as

it is often called by proponents of the RtI model.

Section 504: Section 504 is a component of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It is a civil rights law that

prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in programs and activities, public and private, that receive

federal financial assistance. Any person is protected who (1) has a physical or mental impairment that

substantially limits one or more major life activities, (2) has a record of such impairment, or (3) is regarded as

having such impairment. Major life activities include walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing,

learning, working, caring for oneself, and performing manual tasks.

Search and Serve: Active and systematic involvement by the educational community to locate children

who may need special education services beyond the regular curriculum and program options. This is also

referred to as ―child find.‖

Senate Bill 1870: State Legislation to change and/or modify existing Education Code Sections dealing

with the Master Plan for Special Education in order to implement the Master Plan state-wide and to bring the

state into conformance with federal legislation (Public Law 94-142).

Severely Handicapped (SH): Designation of students considered severely disabled according to State and

Federal eligibility criteria.

Short Term Objectives/Benchmarks: Specific, measurable goals listed on the Individualized Education

Program (IEP).

Solutions Conference: This is a component of the SELPA Alternative Dispute Resolution Process. The

solutions conference involves both a parent and a district representative utilizing a structured discussion

approach with two trained mediators. The goal is to have the parties work together to come to mutually

acceptable agreement that will best meet the needs of the child. The solutions panel consists of a parent of

a special needs child and an educator outside of your district.

Special Day Class (SDC): Are classes that provided services to pupils with more intensive needs than

could be met by the regular school program and Resource Special Program. Pupils are enrolled in the

special class for a majority of the school day and are grouped according to similar instructional needs.

Special Education: Services designed to meet the educational requirement of individuals with exceptional

needs. Services are provided at not cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability.

Special Education Self-Review (SESR): Districts are required to go through a self-review process every 4

years to determine areas of non-compliance. The reviews are structured are focused on educational benefit.

Special Education Local Plan Area (SELPA): Individual district, group of districts, or districts and

County Office of Education which forms a consortium to ensure that a full continuum of special education

services is available to all eligible students within its boundaries.

Specialized Physical Health Care Services: Health services prescribed by the child’s licensed physician

and/or surgeon which are necessary during the school day to enable the child to attend school and are

written into the IEP. Designated providers are appropriately trained and supervised as defined in Ed code.

Specific Learning Disabled (SLD): A disability in which a child’s general education classroom

performance is significantly below expected levels; also a disability category containing the often used

labels of severely learning disabled, mentally disabled, and mildly mentally disabled.

State Operated Programs (SOP): Special schools operated by the California Department of Education for

the education of students with disabilities including individual assessment services and the development of

individualized education programs for students who are deaf and/or blind.

State Testing and Reporting (STAR): In California this consists of the California Standards Test (CSAT) and

the CAT-6. Students who are on a functional curriculum may take the California Alternate

Performance Based Assessment (CAPA).

“Stay Put”: During the pendency of a hearing a child with a disability must remain in his or her current

educational placement unless the parents of the child agree otherwise.

Student Intervention Team – (SIT): Students often need a variety of services. SIT’s are in place at each

school site to consider students who may need support or services prior to formal referral to special

education.

Supplementary Aids and Services: Aids, services and other supports that are provided in general

education classes or other education-related settings to enable children with disabilities to be educated with

typically developing peers to the maximum extent appropriate. These aids and services must be noted no

the IEP.

Surrogate Parent: Individual who is assigned by the SELPA to act as a surrogate for the parents, when no

parent can be identified and the district, after reasonable efforts, cannot discover the whereabouts of a

parent, or the child is a ward of the state under the laws of the state. The surrogate may represent the child

in all matters relating to the identification evaluation, and educational placement and the provision of a free

appropriate public education to the child.

Title V Regulations: The administrative regulations that amplify the Education Code sections dealing

with special education.

Transition: Process of preparing a student to function in future environments and emphasizing movement

from one educational program to another (e.g., infant program to preschool) or from school to work.

Transition Services: A coordinated set of activities for a student with a disability that (1) is designed with

outcome-oriented process, that promotes movement from school to post-school activities; (2) is based on

the individual student’s needs, taking into account the student’s preferences, and interests.

Triennial: Federal and State laws mandate special education students be assessed no later than every 3

years to determine current needs and continued eligibility. This information is provided by a

multidisciplinary team and is presented to the IEP team including parents and student for consideration.

Unilateral Placement: When a parent removes their child from a public educational placement into a

private placement outside the IEP process.

Visually Impaired: An individual with diminished eyesight capabilities.

Visual Processing: The ability to interpret and understand and use information that is seen.