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Frequently Used Education Acronyms/Terms in Special Education

Acronym Description
ADD Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
AODA Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse
APR Annual Performance Report
ARRA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
also known as President Obama's Stimulus Package which provides economic assistance to the US in 2009-11
AT Assistive Technology
AYP Adequate Yearly Progress
BIP Behavior Intervention Plan
CASS Council of Administrators of Special Services
Formerly CAPS & CASE; A professional organization for Special Education and Pupil Services Personnel
CCDEB County Children with Disabilities Education Board
Formerly known as CHCEB-County Handicapped Children's Education Board
CIFMS Continuous Improvement and Focused Monitoring System
CEC Council for Exceptional Children
A national organization focusing on issues related to children with disabilities. There is also a state chapter.
CEIS Coordinated Early Intervening Services
CESA Cooperative Educational Service Agency
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CYSHCN Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs, DHS
CSPD Comprehensive System of Personnel Development. This has been replaced by the Wisconsin Personnel Development System.
DCS Division of Community Services, DHFS
DCTF Division of Care and Treatment Facilities, DHFS
DD Council Developmental Disabilities Council
DHFS Department of Health and Family Services. Formerly the Department of Health and Social Services; as of July 2008, split into the Department of Health Services and the Department of Children and Families.
DLS Division for Learning Support
DOC Department of Corrections
DPI Department of Public Instruction
DTAN Disproportionality Technical Assistance Network
DVR Division of Vocational Rehabilitation in the Department of Workforce Development
EBD Emotional Behavioral Disability (formerly ED)
EC Early Childhood
EDGAR Education Department General Administrative Regulations
ESY Extended School Year
FACETS Family Assistance Center for Education, Training and Support
The Statewide Parent Training and Information Center, funded by the U.S. Department of Education
FAPE Free Appropriate Public Education
FBA Functional Behavioral Assessment
FERPA Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
GLARRC Great Lakes Area Regional Resource Center
Now known as the NCRRC. This is now the North Central Regional Resource Center.
GPR General Program Revenue
ID Intellectual Disability
IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the current federal special education law.
IEP Individualized Education Program
LEA Local Educational Agency
In Wisconsin, school districts, DHFS, DOC, and non-district charter schools.
LPP Local Performance Plan
LEP Limited English Proficient
LRE Least Restrictive Environment
NCLB No Child Left Behind
This national legislation reauthorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and has broad implications for the education of all children.
NCRRC North Central Regional Resource Center
Formerly known as the GLARRC.
OCR Office for Civil Rights
A part of the U. S. Department of Education responsible for enforcement of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
OHI Other Health Impairment
OI Orthopedic Impairment
OSEP Office of Special Education Programs, U. S. Department of Education
OSERS Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
OT Occupational Therapy
PBIS Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports
PPS Program Participation System
The electronic data system used to manage referrals of children from county Birth to 3 agencies to local educational agencies.
PT Physical Therapy
PLOEP Present Level of Educational Performance
RCC Residential Care Center (formerly known as CCI)
REACh Responsive Education for All Children initiative
RSN Regional Service Network
RtI Response to Intervention
SAP School Age Parents
SBS School Based Services (A WMA Service)
SDD Significant Developmental Delay
SEA State Educational Agency
In Wisconsin, the Department of Public Instruction.
SEP Special Education Plan
The SEP was a district's written plan for the provision of special education and related services, available for the public to read. See Wisconsin Statutes, section 115.77 (4). Discontinued as of July 1, 2006; replaced by the local performance plan.
SIP State Improvement Plan
The SIP was a statewide plan to improve educational outcomes of children with disabilities by focusing on collaborative partnerships, supports for learning, and quality staff. See Section 653 of the IDEA. Replaced in 2005-2006 by the SPP.
SPDG State Personnel Development Grant
The SPDG replaced the State Improvement Grant (SIG).
SLD Specific Learning Disability (formerly just LD)
SPP State Performance Plan
The SPP replaces the SIP beginning with 2005-2006.
TBI Traumatic Brain Injury
WATI Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative
WACLD Wisconsin Association for Children with Learning Disabilities
WASDA Wisconsin Association of School District Administrators
WCBVI Wisconsin Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Janesville
WEAC Wisconsin Education Association Council
WESPDHH Wisconsin Educational Services Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
WMA Wisconsin Medical Assistance, DHS
WPDM Wisconsin Personnel Development Model
WSD Wisconsin School for the Deaf, Delavan
WSEMS Wisconsin Special Education Mediation System
WSPEI Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative