Academic Supports @ Austin high

504

Section 504 is a support system ensuring equal educational opportunity for all students, which is mainly accomplished by providing appropriate classroom accommodations to eligible students.​
​Section 504 Process
  • Parents or a staff member contact the Section 504 Coordinator and/or administrator 
  • A 504 Committee convenes 
    • determines if the student has an impairment that substantially limits that child in one more major life activities.
    • creates an Individual Accommodation Plan
    • 504 IAP is shared with staff
  • Meetings are convened at least every 3 years to re-evaluate the need for accommodations.
  • Students’ accommodation plans are renewed annually through a meeting or communication between the 504 Coordinator, teachers, parent, and/or student. ​
Dyslexia-Specific Support
Curated Resources for Students and Families:
Requesting Accommodations on College Entrance Exams and AP Exams
  • You must have a current 504 plan at Austin High to request accommodations on college entrance exams such as the SAT and ACT, and College Board AP exams.
  • Contact the 504 Coordinator via email to request accommodations. The coordinator will request accommodations on your behalf.
  • Requests must be made at least 8 weeks prior to the scheduled test date. The coordinator is NOT available during summer months.​​
Additional Information about 504 Services on Standardized Exams

AVID

AVID is a national program providing scaffolded support to encourage college and career readiness and success by participating students. 
Additional Information
AHS Special Populations Contacts:

Emergent Bilingual

Our Emergent Bilingual (EB) program offers learning support strategies in English classes for students that have been identified as LEP (Limited English Proficiency). Students are identified after they complete a Home Language Survey when registering as a new student with the district. If any language other than English is indicated on the form, then that student is given an Oral Language Proficiency Test and the reading portion of the ITBS test. After these tests are completed, an LPAC (Language Proficiency Assessment Committee) meeting is held to determine the level of intervention a student will receive. At the high school level, the majority of these interventions are provided in the student’s English course where the teacher is ESL (English as a Second Language) certified and trained to provide instructional strategies to help students acquire proficient use of the English language. This designation also allows EBs to receive accommodations that help to support their learning in all subjects. ​
Additional Resources:
AHS Special Populations Contacts:

G/T

Gifted and Talented (GT) services at AHS
  • Instruction by a teacher with the appropriate GT Foundations training and any required specialized training in the following options: Advanced Courses, Advanced Placement, Dual Credit, and Advanced-level CTE courses. Enrichment activities also support  include opportunities that provide depth and complexity through exploration, extension, or elaboration.
  • Extracurricular activities and organized events include opportunities outside of the traditional school day such as clubs, competitions, contests, mentorships, and internships. Campuses select which activities to offer.
More information about the AISD GT program is available on the AISD Gifted and Talented website, including a list of resources for families.
​
Nomination Information:
Parents, guardians, and teachers can nominate students for the GT Assessment Process during the GT Nomination Window in September. 
  • Teachers: Please complete this Teacher Nomination Form to nominate a student for GT services. Teachers interested in nominating their student for the Austin ISD gifted and talented program should watch for a combination of the following characteristics in one or more of the core academic areas (Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies). 
Additional Information:
AHS Special Populations Contacts:

MAPS

Methods for Academic and Personal Success is an innovative program for incoming freshman created at Austin High that has transformed into a nationally-recognized support system for support students.
The course helps reduce freshman class failures, as well as improves attendance and attitudes toward school for many students making the transition from middle to high school.
This video (link to HD version) was produced at Austin High School and features Keeth Matheny, who provides an overview of the course and the impact on student success.
​MAPS around the Internet

SPARC/DELTA

SPARC Twilight (4:30pm - 7:30pm): After school credit recovery program. 
SPARC Saturday School (8am - 12pm)
Talk with your counselor for additional information

SPED

Special Education (SPED) is a support service that is provided for eligible students who have Individual Education Plan (IEP).
Process:
  • Students are identified through an ARD committee.
  • Each student has an annual ARD once a year to review and update their IEP for accommodations and appropriate class placement.
Additional Information:
SPED Department Chair: 
Last updated on 7/12/2022