Special Programs

Special PROGRAMS

The Elysian Fields Curriculum Department oversees special programs initiatives in the district. We hope the links and information provided in this section can help you. If you have any questions or concerns regarding our EFISD Special Programs guidelines, please contact Randi Searle, Curriculum Director, at 903-633-2420 or via email randi.searle@efisd.org. 

Dyslexia

At Elysian Fields ISD our mission is to instill strategies and build confidence for those students dealing with reading, writing, and spelling difficulties so that they can be successful in school, and in life. Please see the Dyslexia Plan for more information regarding identification of dyslexia and dyslexia services.

Gifted and Talented 

The philosophy of Elysian Fields ISD reflects an understanding of the uniqueness of individual gifted/talented students.  Because the learning characteristics of gifted and talented students dictate learning experiences that differentiate from those provided for them in the regular school program, the district recognizes that special provisions must be made for these students in order to stimulate and maximize their achievement as well as provide for their social and emotional needs.  

Elysian Fields ISD recognizes that gifted and talented students are found in all cultures, socioeconomic groups, geographic locales, and environments. Elysian Fields ISD will serve the needs of those students who perform at or show the potential for performing at a remarkably high level of accomplishment when compared to others of the same age, experience, or environment. Please see the GT handbook for more information regarding identification of GT students and provided services.

504

The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, commonly known in the schools as "Section 504," is a federal law passed by the U.S. Congress with the purpose of prohibiting discrimination against disabled persons who may participate in, or receive benefits from, programs receiving federal financial assistance.  In the public schools specifically, Section 504 applies to ensure that eligible disabled students are provided with educational benefits and opportunities equal to those provided to non-disabled students.


Under Section 504, a student is considered "disabled" if he or she suffers from a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.  Section 504 also protects students with a record of an impairment, or who are regarded as having an impairment from discrimination on the basis of disability.  Students can be considered disabled, and can receive services under Section 504 even if they do not qualify for, or receive, special education services under the IDEA.

ESL 

The goal of the ESL program is to develop English language proficiency using second language methodology through explicit instruction in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in all academic areas. 

Elysian Fields ISD provides high quality, inclusive, classroom instruction for all ESL students by hiring highly qualified teachers certified to teach ELs.

Students in grades K-12 that have been identified as an EL are required to take TELPAS. This includes ELs whose parents have declined bilingual or English as a Second Language (ESL) program services. TEA designed the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) to assess the progress that limited English proficient (LEP) students, also referred to as English learners (ELs), make in learning the English language.