Teaching and Learning

Fort Sam Houston ISD offers a broad selection of academic courses and electives. In addition to the core academic coursework, students can also grow in foreign languages, the arts, technology, and in other subjects. A comprehensive special education program is available for students who need additional assistance, Emergent Bilingual programs are in place to help students for whom English is not their primary language, and Gifted and Talented (GT) opportunities exist for students who need differentiated experiences.

 

We understand the educational challenges that may come in hand with the frequent relocation of military family members. There are supports in the form of instructional intervention and acceleration offered throughout the district to help students fill knowledge gaps and reach their highest level of learning. These offerings include an array of instructional approaches embedded in class time and specialized settings.

 

Advanced Academics are available at the elementary level in the form of enrichment opportunities and at the secondary level in the form of coursework and programs, which provide more rigorous college and career readiness-driven instruction for students. These are offered through Pre-Advanced Placement and Advanced Placement courses, Dual Credit courses in partnership with our local St. Philip's College, Dual Enrollment courses in partnership with the University of Texas - Austin, and Career and Technical Education courses that prepare students for careers in the fields of Hospitality and Tourism: Culinary Arts, Health Science, Business, Commercial Photography, and Journalism.

 

 

Curriculum Standards: The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
The TEKS comprises the state-mandated curriculum guidelines that establish what every student, from elementary school through high school, should know and be able to do.  They were developed to comply with §28.002(c) and (d) of the Texas Education Code. More specific information is available on the Texas Education Agency website at  http://tea.texas.gov/index2.aspx?id=6148.

 

The STAAR is currently administered in grades 3-8, with students assessed in reading and mathematics in 3-8, science in grades 5 and 8, and social studies in grades 8.  End of Course assessments are administered in English I, English II, Algebra I, Biology, and U.S. History.

 

TELPAS fulfills federal requirements for assessing the English language proficiency of Emergent Bilinguals in kindergarten through grade 12.  TELPAS assesses second language development in the domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.  Multiple-choice assessments are used to assess reading in grades 2 - 12.  Holistically rated assessments based on ongoing classroom observations and written student work are used for the other grades and domains.

 

The PSAT is administered in FSHISD each year to provide practice for students in preparation for the SAT testing environment. This assessment provides valuable skill information to assist students in learning their academic strengths and weaknesses and also allows provides the school with data on students to recruit for Advanced Placement courses.

 

Aside from being "a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military," the assessment offers career projection data for students. The results return in the form of a career aptitude portfolio that students and counselors analyze to assist students in setting their post-secondary goals.