2020-21 English Language SSIG
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Austin Independent School District Secondary School Information Guide 2020-21 The Purpose of the Secondary School Information Guide The Secondary School Information Guide (SSIG) contains important information for students on how they can be successful in middle and high school. The guide highlights Austin ISD policies, rules and regulations that apply to secondary school students and it provides detailed information about the courses offered. Most importantly, the Guide offers the information you will need to plan the course you will take to graduate from high school and be accepted and successful at the college you choose and in your desired career. The SSIG has five sections: • General Information for all secondary students and parents; • Middle school information and course descriptions; • High school graduation requirements; • High school course descriptions; • Career and Technical Education course descriptions. There are several ways to use this guide. First, you may want to identify topics that interest you from the Table of Contents and go directly to those pages. Second, you may want to read sequentially through the general information section then proceed to middle- or high-school sections that apply to you. Refer to the course descriptions as you select your schedule for the next academic year. Look ahead at the classes that are necessary to meet graduation requirements. Many of these classes have prerequisite courses that you must take in your freshman, sophomore or junior years. If you get to your senior year without taking the prerequisites, you will not be able to take the higher-level courses and possibly will not have the credits you will need to graduate. So, plan ahead! Your counselor and teachers can help you select the right classes to take so that you will be able to graduate well-prepared for college and for the career of your choice. AISD Disclaimer: The contents of the SSIG are relevant to AISD Policy (LEGAL and LOCAL), Regulation and Practice as of January 2018. For current information regarding district policy please refer to the AISD website or visit with your school counselor. Specific school-related questions should be directed to campus staff. When parents or legal guardians have a question or concern, they should contact the person who made the initial decision. After discussing the matter, if the concern continues, the principal should be contacted. Table of Contents The Purpose of the Secondary School Information Guide ................................................................................................................................................ 1 Austin ISD Secondary School Campus Directory .................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Austin ISD Middle School Campuses ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 2 Austin ISD High School Campuses ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 6 Section I: General Information for Success in Secondary School .................................................................................................................................. 11 Academic and Career Planning ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 11 Parents and Families Can Help................................................................................................................................................................................................ 11 Standardized Testing .................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 12 Section 504 Services ................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Special Education Services........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 12 English Learners (ELs) and English as a Second Language (ESL) Services ................................................................................................................ 14 Special Programs in Austin ISD ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 14 Career Launch and Pathways in Technology (P-Tech) Programs ................................................................................................................................ 16 Section II: Middle School Information and Course Descriptions ................................................................................................................................... 20 Middle-level Education Mission: Our Loftiest Aspiration .............................................................................................................................................. 20 Middle-level Education Strategies ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Curriculum at a Glance............................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20 Middle School Grade Promotion............................................................................................................................................................................................ 20 Middle School Advanced Math Courses.............................................................................................................................................................................. 21 High School Courses Taken in Middle School ................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Preparing Your Schedule........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21 Middle School Course Descriptions and Recommended Sequence ............................................................................................................................ 23 Required Courses for Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade Students ............................................................................................................................. 23 Elective Courses for Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade Students ................................................................................................................................ 39 Section III: High School Graduation Requirements ............................................................................................................................................................ 53 High School Level Education ................................................................................................................................................................................................... 53 Graduation Programs ................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 53 Graduation Ceremonies............................................................................................................................................................................................................. 53 Section IV: High School Information and Course Descriptions ...................................................................................................................................... 63 Admission and Placement of New Students ...................................................................................................................................................................... 63 Letter Grades ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 63 High School Grade-level Classification ................................................................................................................................................................................ 63 Early Graduates............................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 63 Rank in Class.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................