Austin ISD has an outstanding adapted physical education program. It conforms to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act, which states that physical education is a required service for students ages 3–21 who qualify for special education services because of a specific disability or developmental delay. Students must be formally evaluated and recommended by an annual review and dismissal committee to be eligible for direct services by an adapted physical education teacher. Once eligibility is confirmed, students will be taught grade-level physical education Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills through various accommodations and/or modifications.

The adapted physical education evaluation is perhaps the most important part of ensuring that each student receives the most appropriate physical education program. Once the student’s needs are identified, one of four placement options are chosen. These options provide students the opportunity to receive instruction in the least restrictive environment.

General Education PE

• Student attends regular PE with peers
• No adapted physical education services are necessary for student’s success in this setting

General Education PE with Adapted Physical Education Consultation

• General PE teacher is solely responsible for student’s grades and assessments
• Student attends regular PE with peers
• Adapted physical education consults with PE and special education staff to monitor student progress and address PE concerns regarding possible curriculum/activity modifications, behavior management techniques, communication skills and/or assessing student skills

Adapted PE Direct Service

• Student attends an inclusive PE class, with accommodations and modifications made by the adapted physical education teacher and special education staff
• The adapted physical education teacher contributes to IEP development and provides grades and assessments

Self-Contained Adapted PE

• Student is taught in a special education setting outside of general education
• The adapted physical education teacher is responsible for the IEP development, grades and assessments

Accommodations vs. Modifications

The term accommodation may be used to describe an alteration of environment, curriculum format or equipment that allows an individual with a disability to gain access to content and/or complete assigned tasks. Accommodations allow students with disabilities to pursue a regular course of study. Since accommodations do not alter what is being taught, instructors should be able to implement the same grading scale for students with disabilities as they do for students without disabilities. The term modification may be used to describe a change in the curriculum. Modifications are made for students with disabilities who are unable to comprehend and/or physically demonstrate the content.