Alamo Heights Independent School District

School districts use this pamphlet to give parents general notice of their rights before every ARD meeting. The school district must give you this notice in a language you usually speak at home. If you cannot read or write, the school must give you the information orally, on cassette tapes, in Braille or any other way that you understand. In addition, each family receives a copy of "A Guide to the Admission, Review and Dismissal Process".

Special Education guarantees students who are disabled an equal opportunity for a free and appropriate public education. Alamo Heights Independent School District provides a variety of special services, highly qualified professionals, and modern well-equipped classrooms to accomplish this guarantee.
Students who qualify for special education are children, ages 3 through 21, with disabilities such as:

Physical / other health impairments
Mental retardation
Learning disabilities
Emotional disturbance
Speech and language disorders
Visual or hearing impairments (birth to 22)

Finding the appropriate program for a student in Special Education is a child-centered process. This assures placing students in the educational program which will afford each one the best educational opportunity.

When a child appears to need special education services, a Child Study Team (composed of teachers, parents, and the principal) meets to consider the best ways to address the student's needs. The committee may recommend a Full and Individual Educational Evaluation.

Students are tested to determine their educational needs. Testing helps the school, staff and parents make the best possible educational plan for the students.

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is developed by the Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) Committee.