2006 Parent Education Seminar: Dyslexia 101
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2007 Fall Family Support Cooperative (September 11 - November 27)
The Family Support Cooperative is a collaboration among Austin ISD, Austin Travis County MHMR and The Arc of the Capital Area.
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A. What is Special Education?

Special services provided by special and regular education personnel to meet the needs of a student with disabilities. Provision of the general education curriculum, with modifications and accommodations, if agreed upon by a multidisciplinary team, including the parents, known as the Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) committee.

B. How are students identified for Special Education services?

Special education is provided through a child centered education process. Collaboration between school and home is essential if students are to achieve benefit from special education. The child-centered educational process begins with public awareness activities which inform the community of educational opportunities for students with disabilities. Referrals from teachers, parents and a variety of other sources lead to the identification of students who may need special education. Once a referral is made, a comprehensive individual assessment will be conducted. the purpose of the assessment is to determine: (1) if a physical, mental or emotional disability exists; (2) if a significant educational deficit exists; and (3) the student's specific learning competencies.

If a student is determined eligible for and requires special education services, an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is developed by and Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee which includes parents and school representatives. The IEP outlines the special education instructional and related services a student is to receive. This plan is reviewed at least annually.

C. Who is eligible for Special Education?

Special education services are provided to eligible students who may have one or more of the following disabilities (3 to 22 years of age) and an educational need that requires special education support and services:
* orthopedic impairment
* other health impairment
* mental retardation
* emotional disturbance
* learning disability
* speech impairment
* autism
* traumatic brain injury
* multiple disabilities
* auditory or visual impairment (services beginning at birth)
* students expected to be medically disabled for a minimum on four weeks

D. What are some Special Education programs and services?

E. Can all AISD schools serve a child with a disability?

Special education services are provided at all AISD campuses. Specialized programs for some students are strategically located throughout the city. Austin is divided into attendance areas that determine what school a child will attend. If you live in an area of Austin where the home school does not offer the specialized program your child needs, AISD will provide transportation to the next closest location of that program.

F. What is the process for a child to start receiving special education services?

If the student has been in special education in a previous school district, the AISD school will hold a Temporary Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee meeting when the student registers so that the student may start receiving services immediately. Another ARD committee meeting is scheduled within 30 school days after enrolling, to determine the appropriate IEP.

If the student has not been in special education previously, but parents or staff are concerned a disability may exist, a Local Support Team (LST) meeting is convened to consider ways to meet the student's educational needs. A full range of services including, but not limited to the possibility of special education is considered during the LST meeting. The least restrictive setting where the students needs can be met will be designed.

G. How many students in AISD are served in special education programs?

Data taken from 10/26/07 PEIMS "Snapshot"