myABCIEP Resources
Special education is full of acronyms and legal language. This quick-reference glossary covers the terms you'll encounter most often in IEP meetings and documents.
You don't need to memorize everything. Start with these — they'll come up in almost every IEP meeting.
The big three
The legal document that describes your child's special education services, goals, accommodations, and placement.
The federal law that guarantees children with disabilities the right to a Free Appropriate Public Education.
The core right under IDEA — your child is entitled to services designed for their unique needs, at no cost, that provide meaningful educational benefit.
The requirement that students with disabilities be educated with non-disabled peers to the maximum extent appropriate.
The section of the IEP describing where your child is right now. All goals must flow from the PLAAFP.
Written documentation the district must provide any time it proposes or refuses to change your child's identification, evaluation, placement, or services.
An evaluation of your child by someone not employed by the district — you can request one at public expense if you disagree with the district's assessment.
California's term for related services — supports like speech therapy, OT, PT, and counseling provided as part of the IEP.
A service model where your child spends most of the day in general education but receives specialized support in a resource room for part of the day.
A self-contained classroom for students who need a more structured environment for most or all of the school day.
A regional body in California that coordinates special education services across multiple school districts.
A proactive plan addressing challenging behavior by identifying its function and teaching replacement behaviors. Must be based on an FBA.
An assessment that identifies what triggers and maintains a student's challenging behavior and what purpose it serves.
An eligibility category that includes ADHD and other health conditions that limit strength, vitality, or alertness in ways that affect education.
Special education services provided beyond the regular school year — typically over summer — to prevent significant regression. Different from summer school.
Any device or tool that helps a student access their education — from pencil grips to text-to-speech software to AAC communication devices.
A state-certified private special education school the district may place a student in when FAPE cannot be provided in any public setting.
A related service addressing fine motor skills, handwriting, sensory processing, and a student's ability to perform daily tasks.
For more detail on any of these terms, visit the full IEP Glossary where every term includes a California-specific note and legal citation.