We continue with the ultimate guide of EdTech acronyms (N-Z) to support your career exploration. Click here to view the list of acronyms (A-M).

N

NAEP - National Assessment of Educational Progress

A U.S. nationwide assessment often called “the Nation’s Report Card,” measuring student achievement. (Context: K-12, US)

NCES - National Center for Education Statistics

The U.S. federal agency responsible for collecting and analyzing education data. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed, US)

NCLB - No Child Left Behind

A former U.S. federal law governing K-12 accountability, replaced by ESSA. (Context: K-12, US)

NDA - Non-Disclosure Agreement

A legal agreement preventing the sharing of confidential information. Common in EdTech product and sales roles. (Context: Corporate, Higher Ed, K-12)

NGSS - Next Generation Science Standards

Standards adopted by many U.S. states to guide K-12 science instruction. (Context: K-12, US)

NPS - Net Promoter Score

A customer satisfaction metric used widely in corporate and SaaS-based EdTech products. (Context: Corporate, Higher Ed)

NSF - National Science Foundation

A U.S. government agency that funds research and education in STEM fields. (Context: Higher Ed, K-12, US)

NTIA - National Telecommunications and Information Administration

A U.S. agency responsible for broadband policy, which directly affects school connectivity. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed, US)

NWEA - Northwest Evaluation Association

An organization best known for MAP Growth assessments used in K-12 schools. (Context: K-12, US)

O

OER - Open Educational Resources

Freely available teaching, learning, and research materials that can be used and adapted. Popular in K-12 and Higher Ed. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed, Global)

OCR - Office for Civil Rights

A U.S. Department of Education office that enforces civil rights laws in schools and colleges. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed, US)

OLE - Online Learning Environment

A broad term referring to virtual platforms where instruction is delivered. Sometimes used interchangeably with LMS or VLE. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed)

OLS - Online Learning System

A catch-all phrase for platforms delivering online learning, especially in K-12 virtual schools. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed)

OPM - Online Program Manager

Third-party companies that help universities create, market, and deliver online degree programs. (Context: Higher Ed)

OS - Operating System

The software that runs devices. In education, this may be Windows, macOS, iOS, ChromeOS, or Android. (Context: Global)

OSS - Open Source Software

Software that is publicly available for modification and redistribution. Examples in EdTech include Moodle and Sakai. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed, Corporate)

OTE - On-Target Earnings

A compensation term describing the total expected pay if an employee meets their performance goals. In EdTech sales roles, OTE usually combines a base salary with variable commissions tied to quotas or targets. (Context: Corporate, Higher Ed, K–12, Sales/Business roles)

P

PD - Professional Development

Training opportunities for educators to improve instructional practices, often supported by EdTech platforms. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed)

PDF - Portable Document Format

A widely used file format in education for distributing assignments, reports, and forms. (Context: Global)

PDP - Professional Development Plan

A personalized plan outlining growth goals for educators or staff. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed, Corporate)

PEBL - Personalized, Experiential, Blended Learning

An instructional model combining digital tools with hands-on and personalized learning pathways. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed)

PEST - Political, Economic, Social, Technological Analysis

A framework used by EdTech leaders to analyze external factors impacting their business. (Context: Corporate)

PGCPS - Prince George’s County Public Schools

One of the largest U.S. school districts, often referenced in K-12 case studies. (Context: K-12, US)

PISA - Programme for International Student Assessment

An international study measuring 15-year-old students’ performance across countries. (Context: K-12, Global)

PLC - Professional Learning Community

Groups of educators who collaborate to improve teaching and learning practices. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed)

PM - Project Manager / Product Manager

Common roles in EdTech companies overseeing projects or products from development to delivery. (Context: Corporate, Higher Ed, K-12)

PMP - Project Management Professional

A certification often requested in EdTech project management job descriptions. (Context: Corporate, Higher Ed)

POC - Proof of Concept

A pilot project to test a new product or approach before full rollout. (Context: Corporate, Higher Ed, K-12)

PPP - Public-Private Partnership

Collaborations between schools/universities and private companies to fund or deliver educational programs. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed)

Q

QC - Quality Control

Processes ensuring EdTech products or services meet established standards. (Context: Corporate, Higher Ed)

QTI - Question and Test Interoperability

A standard for creating and sharing digital assessments across systems. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed)

QoS - Quality of Service

A networking term describing the performance and reliability of online learning platforms. (Context: Corporate, Higher Ed, K-12)

QR - Quick Response Code

Barcodes often used in classrooms for assignments, attendance, or linking to digital resources. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed, Corporate)

R

R&D - Research and Development

The process of innovating and improving products. A key function in EdTech startups and established companies alike. (Context: Corporate, Higher Ed, K-12)

RA - Research Assistant

A common Higher Ed student employment role that supports academic research projects. (Context: Higher Ed)

RBL - Research-Based Learning

An approach to instruction where students learn through investigation and inquiry. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed)

RFP - Request for Proposal

A formal process used by districts or universities when selecting EdTech vendors. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed, Corporate)

ROI - Return on Investment

A measure of the financial value gained from an EdTech investment. (Context: Corporate, Higher Ed, K-12)

RTI - Response to Intervention

A multi-tiered approach to identifying and supporting struggling K-12 students. (Context: K-12, US)

RSS - Really Simple Syndication

A web feed format used to distribute frequently updated content such as blogs or podcasts. (Context: Global)

S

SAAS - Software as a Service

A cloud-based software delivery model. Most EdTech platforms (like Canvas or Clever) are SaaS products. (Context: Global)

SAT - Scholastic Assessment Test

A standardized college admissions test in the U.S. (Context: Higher Ed, K-12, US)

SCORM - Sharable Content Object Reference Model

A set of technical standards for e-learning software interoperability. (Context: Higher Ed, Corporate, K-12)

SDG - Sustainable Development Goals

United Nations goals that often frame global education initiatives. (Context: Global)

SDLC - Software Development Life Cycle

The process of planning, creating, testing, and deploying software. Common in EdTech engineering teams. (Context: Corporate, Higher Ed)

SIS - Student Information System

Manages enrollment, grades, attendance, and student data. Examples: PowerSchool, Infinite Campus, Skyward. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed)

SKO - Sales Kickoff

An annual meeting in corporate EdTech companies to align sales teams and strategy. (Context: Corporate)

SLD - Specific Learning Disability

A category under IDEA for K-12 students who require specialized instructional support. (Context: K-12, US)

SLM - Service Lifecycle Management

Managing the delivery and maintenance of EdTech services over their lifespan. (Context: Corporate, Higher Ed)

SME - Subject Matter Expert

An individual with expertise in a particular content area, often working with EdTech teams to design curriculum or training. (Context: Corporate, Higher Ed, K-12)

SMS - Short Message Service

Text messaging, often used for parent communication and learning reminders. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed, Corporate)

SNHU - Southern New Hampshire University

A major player in online learning in the U.S., often referenced in Higher Ed case studies. (Context: Higher Ed, US)

SNS - Social Networking Service

Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn, increasingly integrated into learning communities. (Context: Global)

SPED - Special Education

Instructional services designed to meet the unique needs of students with disabilities. (Context: K-12, US)

SQL - Structured Query Language

A standard language for managing databases. Useful in EdTech roles involving data analytics. (Context: Corporate, Higher Ed)

T

TA - Teaching Assistant

A person who supports classroom instruction. In Higher Ed, often a graduate student assisting professors. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed)

TAG - Talented and Gifted

Programs and services for students identified as advanced learners. (Context: K-12, US)

TCO - Total Cost of Ownership

A calculation of all costs associated with adopting an EdTech product, including licenses, training, and support. (Context: Corporate, Higher Ed, K-12)

TDP - Teacher Development Program

Programs that provide training and mentorship to improve teaching skills. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed)

TI - Technology Integration

The process of embedding technology meaningfully into instruction. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed)

TLC - Teaching and Learning Center

Campus-based centers that support faculty with pedagogy and technology. (Context: Higher Ed, US)

TOC - Theory of Change

A framework used by EdTech nonprofits and organizations to map how their activities lead to outcomes. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed, Corporate)

TPD - Teacher Professional Development

Another way to reference professional learning for teachers. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed)

TRIO - Federal TRIO Programs

U.S. programs designed to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in progressing through Higher Ed. (Context: Higher Ed, US)

TSIA - Technology Services Industry Association

A professional association often referenced in corporate EdTech sales or customer success roles. (Context: Corporate)

TTL - Time to Live

A networking term that controls how long data is valid. Sometimes appears in technical EdTech IT roles. (Context: Corporate, Higher Ed)

TVET - Technical and Vocational Education and Training

Programs that emphasize job-ready skills, increasingly supported by digital platforms. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed, Global)

U

UI - User Interface

The visual layer of software where learners and educators interact. Good UI design makes EdTech tools intuitive and accessible. (Context: Global)

UDL - Universal Design for Learning

A framework for designing lessons and tools that meet the needs of all learners, including those with disabilities. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed)

UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization

An international agency promoting education, culture, and science initiatives globally. (Context: Global)

URL - Uniform Resource Locator

The web address of an online resource. Basic but critical in digital learning environments. (Context: Global)

USB - Universal Serial Bus

A standard for connecting devices. Still relevant in classrooms for interactive whiteboards, projectors, and charging. (Context: Global)

V

VC - Venture Capital

Funding provided to EdTech startups to help them grow. (Context: Corporate, Global)

VET - Vocational Education and Training

Programs focused on job-ready skills, similar to TVET. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed, Global)

VLE - Virtual Learning Environment

The term commonly used in Europe and the UK for what North America calls an LMS. (Context: Higher Ed, K-12, Europe)

VPN - Virtual Private Network

A secure network connection often required for remote access to school or university systems. (Context: Higher Ed, Corporate)

VR - Virtual Reality

A fully immersive digital environment. Used for simulations, labs, and training programs. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed, Corporate)

W

WAN - Wide Area Network

A network that spans large geographic areas, connecting schools across districts or campuses. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed, Corporate)

WCAG - Web Content Accessibility Guidelines

International standards that guide accessible web design, critical for EdTech products. (Context: Global)

Wi-Fi - Wireless Fidelity

The standard for wireless networking in schools, universities, and workplaces. (Context: Global)

WIOA - Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

U.S. legislation supporting workforce development programs, often linked to EdTech training providers. (Context: Corporate, Higher Ed, US)

WYSIWYG - What You See Is What You Get

An editor interface (like many blog CMS tools) that allows users to create content visually. (Context: Global)

X

XML - Extensible Markup Language

A flexible data format used for storing and transporting structured data. Common in EdTech integrations. (Context: Global, Technical)

XR - Extended Reality

An umbrella term covering AR, VR, and MR (Mixed Reality). Increasingly important in education innovation. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed, Corporate)

Y

YTD - Year-to-Date

A financial or performance measure often used in EdTech company reporting. (Context: Corporate)

YTP - Youth Transition Program

Programs that prepare students with disabilities for employment and independent living. (Context: K-12, US)

Z

ZIP - Zone Improvement Plan (Code)

Commonly used to define service areas or district boundaries. Also a file compression format in EdTech IT. (Context: Global)

ZPD - Zone of Proximal Development

A learning theory concept from Vygotsky describing the range between what a learner can do independently and with guidance. (Context: K-12, Higher Ed)

Closing Thoughts

Congratulations!  you made it through over 200 of the most common acronyms in the world of EdTech! 🎉

This guide is designed as a living resource. As new technologies emerge and education evolves, so do the acronyms. From AI and LMS to MTSS and FERPA, knowing the language of EdTech will help you navigate job postings, interviews, and workplace conversations with confidence.

👉 Bookmark this page, share it with colleagues, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have an acronym we should add.