Educational Acronyms

A reference guide to common acronyms used in education, from K-12 schools to universities and federal programs. Whether you're a student, parent, teacher, or administrator, understanding these abbreviations is essential to navigating the educational system.

• 504 Plan A 504 Plan is a legal accommodation plan under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act that ensures students with disabilities can access education on equal terms.
• ACT American College Testing — a standardized college admissions exam covering English, math, reading, and science.
• ADA The ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) is a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in public life, including schools, workplaces, and public accommodations, and ensures equal access and reasonable accommodations.
• AP Advanced Placement — a program offering college-level courses and exams to high school students.
• AVID AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) is a college-readiness program that prepares underrepresented middle and high school students for college enrollment and success through rigorous coursework, study skills instruction, and college preparation support.
• BIP A BIP (Behavior Intervention Plan) is a written plan developed for a student with significant behavioral challenges that outlines specific strategies and supports to address problem behavior and teach replacement behaviors.
• CCSS CCSS (Common Core State Standards) are a set of academic standards in mathematics and English language arts/literacy that outline what students should know and be able to do at each grade level from kindergarten through 12th grade.
• CTE (Career and Technical Education) CTE (Career and Technical Education) is a broad term for educational programs that prepare students for careers in skilled trades, technical fields, health, business, and other industries through hands-on, work-based learning.
• DIBELS DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) is a set of short, standardized assessments used to measure the development of early literacy skills in children from kindergarten through 8th grade, primarily to identify students at risk of reading difficulties.
• DOE The DOE (Department of Education) is the U.S. federal cabinet-level agency responsible for promoting student achievement, collecting data on education, and administering federal financial assistance programs for education.
• ELD ELD (English Language Development) refers to the systematic, explicit instruction specifically designed to develop the English language skills of English learners, including listening, speaking, reading, and writing in academic and conversational contexts.
• ELL English Language Learner — a student who is learning English as an additional language and requires language support services.
• ESL English as a Second Language — educational programs designed to help non-native English speakers develop language proficiency.
• ESSA Every Student Succeeds Act — the federal law governing K-12 education, replacing No Child Left Behind.
• FBA An FBA (Functional Behavioral Assessment) is a problem-solving process used to identify the function or purpose behind a student's challenging behavior, which then guides the development of an effective Behavior Intervention Plan.
• FERPA Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act — the federal law protecting the privacy of student education records.
• GED General Educational Development — a series of tests that certify high school-level academic skills for those who did not complete high school.
• HIPAA HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) is a federal law that protects the privacy and security of health information, though in school settings FERPA typically governs student health records rather than HIPAA.
• IEE An IEE (Independent Educational Evaluation) is an evaluation of a student conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the school district, which parents can request if they disagree with the school's evaluation.
• LEP LEP (Limited English Proficiency) is a term used to describe students and individuals who do not speak English as their primary language and have a limited ability to read, write, speak, or understand English.
• MTSS MTSS (Multi-Tiered System of Supports) is a comprehensive school-wide framework that provides varying levels of academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support to all students based on their individual needs.
• NAEP NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) is the Nation's Report Card — the largest nationally representative assessment of what U.S. students know and can do in various subjects.
• NCLB No Child Left Behind — the 2001 federal education law that introduced sweeping standardized testing and accountability requirements for K-12 schools.
• NEA The NEA (National Education Association) is the largest labor union and professional organization in the United States, representing nearly 3 million teachers, education support staff, and other education professionals.
• NGSS NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) are a set of rigorous, research-based K–12 science education standards that emphasize three-dimensional learning including disciplinary core ideas, crosscutting concepts, and science and engineering practices.
• PBIS PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) is a school-wide framework that uses proactive, data-driven strategies to create positive school climates and reduce disciplinary issues by teaching and reinforcing expected behaviors.
• PBL PBL (Project-Based Learning) is a teaching method where students gain knowledge and skills by working on extended, real-world projects that require critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving over a sustained period of time.
• PLC Professional Learning Community — a collaborative group of educators who work together to improve teaching practices and student outcomes.
• PSAT Preliminary SAT — a practice version of the SAT that also qualifies students for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
• PTA Parent Teacher Association — a formal organization that connects parents, teachers, and the community to support schools and students.
• RTI Response to Intervention — a multi-tiered educational framework for identifying and supporting students with learning and behavioral needs.
• SEL SEL (Social-Emotional Learning) is the process through which students develop and apply essential skills including self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.
• STEM Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics — an educational framework emphasizing these interconnected disciplines.
• UDL UDL (Universal Design for Learning) is an educational framework that guides teachers to design flexible learning experiences that accommodate diverse learners by providing multiple means of representation, engagement, and expression.
• FAFSA Free Application for Federal Student Aid — the form used to apply for federal financial aid for college.
• GPA Grade Point Average — a numerical summary of a student's academic performance across all courses.
• IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act — the federal law guaranteeing special education services to eligible students with disabilities.
• IEP Individualized Education Program — a legally binding plan for students with disabilities outlining their educational goals and services.
• NCAA National Collegiate Athletic Association — the organization that regulates college athletics and sets eligibility rules for student-athletes.
• SAT Scholastic Assessment Test — a standardized college admissions exam measuring reading, writing, and math skills.