| ADHD | Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder |
| HBO | (Four-year) higher vocational/professional education |
| HvU | University of Professional Education, Utrecht |
| ICT | Information and communications technology |
| IOBK | Pre-school children with developmental difficulties |
| ISOVSO | The Special Education Interim Act (introduced in 1985 and ceased on 1 August 1998, see section 1.2.1. |
| ITT | Initial teacher training |
| LOM | Children with learning and behavioural difficulties |
| MAVO | Four-year general secondary education. Available prior to August 1999, now replaced by VMBO |
| MLK | Children with learning difficulties |
| NFER | National Foundation for Educational Research (in England and Wales) |
| QCA | Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (in England) |
| RVC | Regional referral committee |
| RVCs | Regional referral committees |
| SCAA | School Curriculum and Assessment Authority (now QCA) |
| SEN | Special educational needs |
| VBO | Four-year vocational and general secondary education (as a basis for further education). Available prior to August 1999, now replaced by VMBO |
| VMBO | Four-year pre-vocational secondary education introduced in August 1999. |
|
VSO |
Schools for special secondary education |
| WEC | The Expertise Centres Act (replaced ISOVSO on 1 August 1998) |
| WHBO | Higher Professional Education Act |
| WHW | Higher Education and Research Act |
| WPO | The Primary Education Act (new Primary Education Act came into force on 1 August 1998) |
| WSNS | Weer samen naar school (Going to School Together). (Mainstream primary school provision for children who might otherwise have been taught in schools for children with learning difficulties, schools for children with learning and behavioural difficulties, or in schools for pre-school children with developmental difficulties.) |
| WWO | University Education Act |
| ZMLK | Children with severe learning difficulties |
| ZMOK | Severely maladjusted children |
| basisvorming | compulsory foundation curriculum followed during the first cycle of lower secondary education (age 12-15). |
| competent authority | For public sector schools, the competent authority is the municipal authority and, for private sector schools, it is the administration board, association or institution which established the school. Competent authorities are responsible for the governance of the school, within the statutory framework, in areas, such as management and administration of financial resources, use of school buildings, appointment and dismissal of teaching and non-teaching staff, student admission and expulsion, school hours, preparation of the biennial school plan and annual activity plan (for approval by the Inspectorate), curriculum, timetable (number of lessons per compulsory or optional subject) and choice of teaching materials. |