Special Education Terms in Oregon
What special education terms does Oregon use?
Oregon uses several state-specific terms in special education that differ from federal IDEA terminology or from terms used in other states. Understanding these differences is important for correctly reading Oregon IEP documents and eligibility records. The most significant difference is Oregon's use of 'Emotional Behavior Disability' (EBD) in place of IDEA's 'Emotional Disturbance' (ED)—all Oregon forms and documents use EBD (ORS 343.035(1)(f)). Oregon uses 'Education Service District' (ESD) to refer to the regional intermediate educational agencies that provide services to local school districts; this is equivalent to terms such as 'regional education service agency' (RESA) or 'BOCES' in other states. Oregon's regional program for low-incidence disabilities is called 'Regional Inclusive Services' (RIS), not to be confused with a separate school or program operated by the state. Oregon refers to its alternate diploma options as 'Modified Diploma' and 'Extended Diploma' (ORS 329.451). Oregon uses 'abbreviated school day program' (ORS 343.321) for what other states may call a 'shortened school day,' 'reduced schedule,' or 'partial day program'—and Oregon has specific statutory protections for this. The Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD) is a state-operated school for deaf and hard-of-hearing students; IEP Teams for these students must receive information about OSD as an option (ORS 343.148). Oregon uses 'Early Intervention' (EI) for Part C birth-to-3 services and 'Early Childhood Special Education' (ECSE) for ages 3-kindergarten entry, sometimes combined as 'EI/ECSE'. Oregon's 'Prior Notice of Special Education Action' is form number 581-5148y-P; 'Notice of Team Meeting' is form 581-5148s-P; and 'Manifestation Determination' is form 581-1279-P.
What Oregon Requires
Oregon uses 'Emotional Behavior Disability' (EBD) rather than IDEA's 'Emotional Disturbance' (ED)—this is an Oregon-specific term used in all state forms and documents (ORS 343.035(1)(f)).
Oregon calls its intermediate educational agencies 'Education Service Districts' (ESDs); ESDs serve as the regional backbone for low-incidence disability services through the eight-region RIS structure (ORS 343.221; ORS 343.236).
Oregon's alternate diploma options are called 'Modified Diploma' and 'Extended Diploma' (ORS 329.451); receipt of either does not end FAPE eligibility through age 21 (ORS 339.115(2)).
'Abbreviated school day program' is Oregon's term for a shortened schedule below grade-level peers—protected by ORS 343.321-343.331 with specific parental consent and ODE notification requirements.
Oregon uses 'EI/ECSE' (Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education) to describe its Part C and Part B preschool programs.
Oregon standardized forms have specific form numbers: Prior Notice (581-5148y-P), Notice of Team Meeting (581-5148s-P), Manifestation Determination (581-1279-P), Summary of Performance (581-1278-P).
The Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD) is a state-operated school that must be presented as an option to families of deaf, deafblind, or hard-of-hearing students (ORS 343.148).