Austin ISD’s guaranteed and viable curriculum is based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), which are the state standards for what students should know and be able to do.
Learn more about Texas Education Agency (TEA) requirements for Curriculum and Testing:
Social Emotional Learning
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is a process for helping children and adults develop fundamental skills for life effectiveness. SEL teaches the skills we all need to handle ourselves, our relationships, and our work effectively and ethically. These skills include:
- recognizing and managing our emotions,
- developing caring and concern for others,
- establishing positive relationships,
- making responsible decisions, and
- handling challenging situations constructively and ethically.
Our campus has an assigned SEL (counselors) specialist who supports implementation on campus by providing professional development, observing lessons and giving feedback on explicit instruction and integrating of SEL skills and concepts into academic instruction. Specialists work closely with campus administration and facilitators to develop SEL goals and action plans with the steering committee.
See also Essential Areas and World Languages.
Specialized Instruction
Pre-Kindergarten
Summitt Elementary hosts an early childhood program for 4-year-olds to prepare them for Kindergarten.
ESL and Dual Language Education
Summitt Elementary provides English as a Second Language (ESL) and Bilingual Programs for Spanish and Vietnamese speakers.
Gifted and Talented
Kindergarten-5th grade students are identified in the fall or spring semester for the gifted and talented program. G/T students work independently, in small groups with other G/T students, and in large groups with students of varying abilities.
Special Education
AISD is committed to meeting the unique needs of students. Section 504 services and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) are determined based on the student’s needs. Each child who meets eligibility will have a plan developed through an Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) committee to address needs in the following areas: Language/Communication, Social and Behavioral Needs, Gross and Fine Motor Skills, Daily Living Skills, Pre-Academic and Academic learning.
See the Austin ISD Special Education and SPEDTex websites for information about special education eligibility, Section 504, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), the Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) process, district, state and federal requirements, and more. For more information about special education at Summitt, contact the leadership team.
Social Behavior Skills (SBS)
SBS is a service that provides behavioral support and interventions to facilitate the emergence and development of an internal locus of control that equips students to think, decide, and make choices in self-responsible ways that can lead to success and joy in living. If a student meets eligibility for SBS, the ARD committee will identify the appropriate goals to address behavioral needs through an IEP.
Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE)
ECSE, formerly PPCD, provides special education services for any eligible child with an identified need who is between the ages 3-5. The goal of the Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities is to provide early intervention on various campuses throughout Austin ISD. Services are provided at no cost to parents.
Life Skills
The mission of the Life Skills Program is to support the unique needs of students and provide a positive environment, which prepares students to live, work, and enjoy life in their community.