Transcription
Austin ISD1111 West Sixth Street Austin, Texas 78703This guide is a publication for theDivision of Education.Austin Independent School District doesnot discriminate on the basis of race,creed, color, national origin, sex,disability, or English language skills inits programs and activitiesAiSDAISD MISSION STATEMENTAll students will progress academically and intellectually and will graduate prepared forpersonal success and inspired to contribute to society.
Austin Independent School DistrictSecondary SchoolINFORMATION GUIDEAuStinGrades6-11TEXAS2007-08
2007-08To AISD Students and Parents,I am delighted to provide you with this Secondary School Information Guide. The Guide contains important information for studentson how they can be successful in middle and high school. The Guide also highlights AISD policies, rules and regulations that applyto our secondary school students and it provides detailed information about the courses offered in our secondary schools. Mostimportantly, the Guide offers the information you will need to plan the courses you will take to graduate from high school and to beaccepted and successful at the college you choose and in your desired career.The Guide has three sections: General information for all secondary students and parents; Middle school information and course descriptions; High school information, including graduation programs, High school course descriptions, and Careerand Technology Education course descriptions.There are several ways to use this guide. First, you may identify topics that interest you from the Table of Contents and go directly tothem. Second, you may want to read the general information section all the way through and the sections that apply to you regardingmiddle school or high school. And, third you will need to use the descriptions of the courses as you select your schedule for the nextacademic year.AISD expects students to follow the Recommended High School Graduation Program or the Distinguished High School GraduationProgram. Both of these programs better prepare you for college entrance tests and for college attendance. Students who graduateunder these programs are also more highly valued by businesses when they want to get jobs. Some colleges and universities areeven beginning to require the Recommended High School Graduation Program for admission to their institutions. The Minimum HighSchool Graduation Program does not provide you with a strong preparation for your future, so you should seriously consider eitherthe Recommended or the Distinguished Program to meet your graduation requirements. Beginning in 2007 – 2008, students whoenter 9th grade after 2007 – 20082007-08 will have changes in the Recommended and Distinguished Achievement Graduation Plans.You should also look ahead at the classes that are necessary to meet graduation requirements. Many of those classes haveprerequisite courses that you must take in your freshman, sophomore or junior year. If you get to your senior year without taking theprerequisites, you will not be able to take the higher level courses and possibly not have the credits you will need to graduate. Soplan ahead! Your counselor and teachers can help you select the right classes to take so that you will be able to graduate well preparedfor college and for the career of your choice.Best wishes for a highly successful school year!Pascal D. Forgione, Jr., Ph.D.Superintendent
HAVE A QUESTION?Need help finding a phone number?Just call us.512.414.1700or visit our al campus functions,programming, student conduct, attendance . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Principal and Assistant PrincipalsIndividual counseling, scheduling,standardized testing results,community resources, parenting skills,support groups, educational and career planning . . . . . . . . .School CounselorsStudent grades/progress,course content, classroom discipline,class assignments/homework . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Teachers2007-08General curriculum information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Curriculum Support TeamHygiene, immunizations, vision and hearing,illness, health related information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .NursesVolunteer services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .PTA President/MembersCurrent books, research andsupplementary reading, parenting literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . .LibrarianSchool lunch program, nutrition requirements . . . . . . . . . . . .Cafeteria ManagerBus routes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .TransportationStudent misconduct, drug andalcohol problems, discipline problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Campus Police
Course TitleTAKS Reading/ELA/Writing Preparatory CourseTAKS Science Preparatory CourseTAKS Social Studies Preparatory CourseTeam Sports ITeam Sports IITechnical Introduction to Computer-Aided DraftingTechnical Introduction to Criminal JusticeTechnical Theatre ITechnical Theatre IITechnical Theatre IIITechnical Theatre III (weighted)Technical Theatre IVTechnical Theatre IV (weighted)Technology Education Grade 6-8Technology in MarketingTechnology SystemsTelecommunications and NetworkingTennisTextile and Apparel DesignTheatre Arts AppreciationTheatre Arts Grade 6, 7 and 8Theatre Arts Grade 7 and 8Theatre Arts Grade 8Theatre Arts ITheatre Arts IITheatre Arts IIITheatre Arts III (weighted)Theatre Arts IVTheatre Arts IV (weighted)Theatre Production Grade 6Theatre Production Grade 7Theatre Production Grade 8Theatre Production ITheatre Production IITheatre Production IIITheatre Production III (weighted)Theatre Production IVTheatre Production IV (weighted)Track and FieldTransition Language Arts ITransition Language Arts IIUnited States GovernmentUnited States HistoryVeterinary Medical AssistanceVideo TechnologyVocational ExperienceVolleyballWeb MasteringWildlife and Recreation ManagementWord ProcessingWorld Geography StudiesWorld Geography Studies (Pre-AP)World History StudiesWorld History Studies 033201000332010003340400033404000382050XFall SemesterSpring .B9002.R000.B9004.R000.BEither 26490956666666672INDEX
Secondary School Information GuideGrades 6-112007- 2008Austin Independent School DistrictBoard of TrusteesMr. Mark Williams – President, District 5Ms. Johna Edwards – Secretary, District 3Ms. Cheryl Bradley – District 1Vacant, Special Election May, 2007– District 2Mr. Vincent M. Torres - District 4Ms. Lori Moya - District 6Mr. Robert Schneider – District 7Ms. Annette LoVoi – At-large position 8Ms. Karen Dulaney Smith– At-large position 9SuperintendentPascal D. Forgione, Jr., Ph. DAISD MISSION STATEMENTAll students will progress academically and intellectually and will graduate prepared forpersonal success and inspired to contribute to society.
Chief OfficersDr. Darlene Westbrook – Chief Academic OfficerLarry Throm – Chief Financial OfficerAssociate SuperintendentsDr. Glenn Nolly – High SchoolsDr. Peggy Gordon – Middle SchoolsDr. Yolanda Rocha – Elementary South SchoolsClaudia Tousek – Elementary North SchoolsAssistant SuperintendentsDr. Ann Smisko – Curriculum and InstructionDr. Paul Cruz – Educational Support ServicesMichael Houser – Human Resources Developments & Information SystemsExecutive DirectorsDr. Maria Whitsett – AccountabilityMartha Garcia – Bilingual EducationPaul Turner - FacilitiesNorman Self – Financial ServicesPam Hall – Human ResourcesKent Ewing – Office of RedesignDr. Janis Guerrero – Planning & Community RelationsGray Salada – TechnologyDepartment DirectorsDr. Arthur Granada – Advanced Academic ServicesHector Rodriguez – Alternative EducationTommy Cox – AthleticsViviana Lopez –CurriculumArial Cloud – Early Childhood EducationRebecca Brandon - ESL (Secondary)Dave Sanders – Instructional TechnologyGloria Sullivan – Professional DevelopmentDr. Gloria Williams –School, Family & Community EducationJoan Altobelli – Special EducationDr. Julie Lyons – State and Federal AccountabilityDr. Zoe Griffith – Student RecordsDr. Brenda Hummel – Student SupportAISDAssistant Department DirectorsLois Osborn – College Readiness ProgramsCharlotte Winkelmann –Guidance, Counseling & Student InterventionAdministrative Supervisors and CoordinatorsMark Kincaid – College and Career EducationAnn LaQuey – Dyslexia and Learning DifferencesDiane Gorzycki – Fine ArtsDr. Michael Hydak – Foreign Language and JournalismTracy Diggs-Lunoff – Health EducationDale Fowler - High School Curriculum and InstructionKathleen Bishop – Language ArtsElizabeth Polk – Library/Media ServicesNorma Jost – MathematicsDr. Donna Calzada - Middle School Curriculum and InstructionMichele Rusnak – Physical EducationDavid Guffey – ScienceJoe Ramirez (Interim Supv) – Social StudiesJames Mark Billingsley – Systemwide Testing
TABLE OF CONTENTSSection I: General Information for Secondary School Students and Parents . . . . 7Success in Secondary School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Academic and Career Planning in AISD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Parents Can Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8High School Transcripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Extracurricular Activities and University Interscholastic League (UIL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Suspension of Eligibility for Extracurricular Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Taking Responsibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Personal Conduct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Closed Campus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Care of Building, Furniture and Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Care of Textbooks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Personal Possessions at School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Smoking and Other Illegal Drugs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9School Bus Behavior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Compulsory Attendance Law . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Warning Notices/ Parent Notification Regarding Unexcused Absences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Information Regarding Notices to Parents Due to Excessive Absences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Denied Credit Due to Excessive Absences: Secondary Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Restoring Denied Credit Due to Excessive Absences: Secondary Students . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Attendance Requirement/ Drivers License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Absences for Extracurricular Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10Grading System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Report Cards and Progress Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11AISD Grading Scales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Calculating Grade Point Averages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Course Credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Advanced Academic Weighted Grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Honor Roll Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Middle School GPA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12High School GPA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Pass/ Fail Courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Standardized Testing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12Graduation Ceremonies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Middle School Grade Promotion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13High School Grade Level Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Grade Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Three- Year Graduates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Classification of Students Entering from Outside the District (Grade Level Placement) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Transfer of Course Credits and Grades. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Transfer of Credit from Non- accredited Institutions and Home School Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Transfer of High School Credit from Newly Accredited Institution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Letter Grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Alternative Promotion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14TA B L E O F C O N T E N T SAchieving Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Making Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Course Change Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Course Corrections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Transfers to Other Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Advanced Academic Courses and Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Pre- Advanced Placement Courses (Pre- AP). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Advanced Placement (AP) Courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Weighted Grade Points for Advanced Academic Courses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15ACC–AISD Connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Dual Credit Courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Career and Technology College Articulated Courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16International Baccalaureate Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Magnet Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Gifted and Talented (G/T) Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Special Schools and Pro grams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Gonzalo Garza Independence High School. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17DELTA Program (Diversified Education Through Leadership, Technology, Academics) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17Virtual School Program (VSP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Services for Students with Special Needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18English as a Second Language (ESL). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Participation of LEP/ELL Students in TAKS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Students with Disabilities— Section 504. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Students with Dyslexia and Related Disorders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18Special Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18TA B L E O F C O N T E N T SSection II: Middle School Information and Course Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21Curriculum- at-A- Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Preparing Your Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22National Honor Society for Middle School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22Standards for National Junior Honor Society . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23Sample Schedule Form. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24Middle School Required Course Descriptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25Middle School Electives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28Section III: High School Information and Graduation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33College and Career Pathways and Majors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Graduation Programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Minimum High School Program with modifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Recommended High School Program (approved 2000) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Distinguished High School Program (approved 2000). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35Graduation Requirements for Students Receiving Special Education Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Required Exit Level Tests for Graduates of 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40Semester and Final Examinations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Early Graduation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Other Ways to Earn Credit to Meet Graduation Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41High school courses taken in middle school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Correspondence courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Credit by exam with prior instruction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Credit by exam without prior instruction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Dual credit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Tech Prep and Credit- in- Escrow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41Summer school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Alternative course credit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Academic Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Honor Roll System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42National Honor Society. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Standards for National Honor Society at High School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42Rank in Class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43Top 10% of Graduating Class. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43Texas Tuition and Fee Exemptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44Toward Excellence, Access and Success (TEXAS) Grant Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44Non-citizen In-state Tuition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44College Pre p a ration and College Testing Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Pre- College Entrance Tests. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45ACT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45SAT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45THEA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Content-based Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Advanced Placement Exams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45Section III: High School Course Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47English Language Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48English for Speakers of Other Languages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49Language Arts Electives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50Locally Developed Language Arts Elective Courses Serving Students with Disabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52Speech/ Debate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52Locally Developed Speech and Debate Courses Serving Students with Disabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53Journalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53Mathematics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55Locally Developed Math Courses Serving Students with Disabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57Science . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59Locally Developed Science Courses Serving Students with Disabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62Health Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63Locally Developed Health Education Courses Serving Students with Disabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63Computer Science and Technology Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64Locally Developed Technology Application Courses Serving Students with Disabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . 65Social Studies and Economics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66Special Topics in Social Studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67Locally Developed Social Studies Courses Serving Students with Disabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68Physical Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71Locally Developed Physical Education Courses Serving Students with Disabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72Physical Education Substitutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72Physical Education Equivalent Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72Physical Education Waiver Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73Fine Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74TA B L E O F C O N T E N T SLocally Developed English Courses Serving Students with Disabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Theatre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77Instrumental Music. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78Choral Music . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AISD expects students to follow the Recommended High School Graduation Program or the Distinguished High School Graduation Program. Both of these programs better prepare you for college entrance tests and for college attendance. Students who graduate under these programs are also more highly valued by businesses when they want to get jobs.
