Common Acronyms Used in CA Special Education
Generic Terms
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
ADR: Alternative Dispute Resolution
ALJ: Administrative Law Judge
AT: Assistive Technology
CCS: California Children’s Services
CDE: California Department of Education
CDC: California Diagnostic Centers
DOR: Department of Rehabilitation
OAH: Office of Administrative Hearings
OCR: U.S. Office for Civil Rights
OEO: Office of Equal Opportunity / CDE
PAI: Protection and Advocacy, Inc.
PTI: Parent Training and Information Center
Education Terms
504: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
CAC: Community Advisory Committee on Special Education
CASE: Community Alliance for Special Education
CAHSEE: California High School Exit Exam
DIS: Designated Instruction and Services
DOE: U.S. Department of Education
DREDF: Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund
FAPE: Free and Appropriate Public Education
FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IEE: Independent Educational Evaluation
IEP: Individualized Educational Program
LEA: Local Education Agency
LRE: Least Restrictive Environment
NCLB: No Child Left Behind
OSEP: U.S. Office of Special Education Programs / DOE
OSERS: U.S. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation Programs
OT/PT: Occupational Therapy/Physical Therapy
PSRS: Procedural Safeguards and Referral Services / CDE
PWN: Prior Written Notice
RSP: Resource Specialist Program
SDC: Special Day Class
SELPA: Special Education Local Plan Area
SERR: “Special Education Rights and Responsibilities” book
SLP: Speech Language Pathologist
SPED: Special Education
Regional-Center Specific Terms
IFSP: Individualized Family Service Plan
IPP: Individual Program Plan
Download these acronyms and descriptions here.