The JavaScript support is disabled on your browser. JavaScript is required to view this page correctly.
Please enable JavaScript and refresh this page.

Main Content

About Us

Main Content

Understanding Education Acronyms

return to main page

Educators often speak in an alphabetic code that can confuse the uninitiated parent. Here is a reference guide to breaking the code of commonly used acronyms.

Links lead to more information when available. These links are provided as a resource. The Contra Costa County Office of Education does not take responsibility for the quality, accuracy, and context of the sites. If you find an outdated link, please send us an e-mail.

ADD Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
APE Adapted Physical Education
CAC Community Advisory Committee
CAPA California Alternate Performance Assessment
CAT-6 California Achievement Test, Sixth Edition
CCR California Code of Regulations
CCS California Children’s Services
CPS Child Protective Services
COL Composite of Laws, California Education Code
CBI Community Based Instruction
CEP Counseling and Education Program
CEC Counseling Enhanced Classes
DHH Deaf/Hard of Hearing
DIS Designated Instruction and Services (also known as Related Service)
ED Emotionally Disturbed
ELL English Language Learner
FAPE Free Appropriate Public Education
GATE Gifted and Talented Education (not under Special Education)
IDEA ’97 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (federal law)
IEP Individualized Educational Program
ISP Instructional Support Program
ISP Individual Service Plan
ITP Individualized Transition Program
LCP Learning Center Program
LRE Least Restrictive Environment
MH Multi-handicapped
OI Orthopedically Impaired
OHI Other Health Impaired
OT Occupational Therapy
PT Physical Therapy
RCEB Regional Center of the East Bay
ROP ROP
RSP Resource Specialist Program
SARB School Attendance Review Board
SARC School Accountability Report Card
SDC Special Day Class
SSC Service Specific Class
SSSP Service Specific Separate Class
Section 504 Civil rights law pertaining to special education
SELPA Special Education Local Plan Area
SIP School Improvement Plan
SLD Specific Learning Disability
SLP Speech/Language Pathologist
SST Student Study Team
TBI Traumatic Brain Injury
VI Visually Impaired

return to top of page

Page updated on: