Like any other community, the literacy community has developed its own shorthand acronyms to talk more efficiently about common programs or institutions. Here is a short list of the different acronyms you might hear within a literacy program!

ABE – Adult Basic Education

ABLE – Adult Basic Learning Examination

ADP – Adult Diploma Program

ALC – Area Learning Center

ASE – Adult Secondary Education

BEST – Basic English Skills Test

BR – Basic Reading

CAL – Center for Applied Linguistics

CALL – Computer Assisted Language Learning

CARLA – Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition

CASAS – Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System

CBO – Community-Based Organization

CET – Center for Employment and Training

CNCS – Corporation for National and Community Service

COABE – Commission on Adult Basic Education

CSD – Communication Services for the Deaf

DHS – Department of Human Services

DOE – Department of Education

DRS – Department of Rehabilitation Services

ECFE – Early Childhood Family Education

ECSE – Early Childhood Special Education

EFF – Equipped For the Future

ELL – English Language Learner

ELT– English Language Training/Teaching

ERIC – Educational Resources Information Center

ESL – English as a Second Language

ESOL – English as a Second or Other Language

FTE – Full Time Equivalent

FWE – Functional Work English

GED – General Education Development

IEP – Individualized Education Plan

LINCS – Literacy Information and Communication System

LD – Learning Disabilities

LDA – Learning Disabilities Association

LEP – Limited English Proficient

LM – Literacy Minnesota

LTN – Literacy Training Network

            MACAE – Minnesota Association for Continuing Adult Education

MAESP – Minnesota ABE Employability Skills Profile

MCEA – Minnesota Community Education Association

MFIP – Minnesota Family Investment Plan

MinneTESOL – Minnesota Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages

MLC – Minnesota Literacy Council

MPS – Minneapolis Public Schools

NCAL – National Center for Adult Literacy

NCFL – National Center for Family Literacy

NCLE – National Center for ESL Literacy Education

NCSALL – National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy

NIFL – National Institute for Literacy

OVAE – Office of Vocational and Adult Education

PEP – Personal Education Plan

PLA– ProLiteracy America

P/ND – Physical/Neurological Disabilities

RSVP – Retired Senior Volunteer Program

SCANS – Secretary's Commission Achieving Necessary Skills

SPCLC – St. Paul Community Literacy Consortium

SPPS – St. Paul Public Schools

TABE – Test of Adult Basic Education

TANF – Temporary Assistance for Needy Families

TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language

TESOL – Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages

TF- Training Facilitator (LTN project)

USCIS – Unites States Citizenship and Immigration Services (formerly BCIS, Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, and before that: INS, Immigration and Naturalization Services)

VISTA – Volunteers In Service To America