The OCPE Program is a partnership between Austin Independent School District and approved off-campus agencies that provide activities such as: Dance, Diving, Equestrian, Fencing, Gymnastics, Yoga, Lacrosse (high school club teams in spring semester only), Martial Arts, Rock Climbing, Rowing, Swimming and Tennis. (A complete list of AISD OCPE Approved Agencies may be found at http://www.austinisd.org/academics/curriculum/subjects/pe/ocpe_approvedagencies.phtml). Only practice hours may count towards the state required time. Game days and competitions will not count toward the total weekly participation hours. Agencies must provide an alternative place of instruction during inclement weather. Students will receive a numerical grade for each six weeks period and a final numerical grade for the semester. The Physical Education Department will be responsible for supervising the OCPE Program standards to ensure that each student receives a quality, off-campus physical education experience.

Students may participate in two different categories, depending on their grade (see below for complete description). Students in 7th or 8th grade may participate during one semester per grade level in Category II only. Middle School students are not permitted to leave campus during the school day to participate in OCPE. High school students may participate in either category. High school students approved for Category II level may earn 0.5 credit per semester for a total of 1.5 PE credits (1.0 for state requirement and 0.5 for AISD's requirements) toward their high school graduation requirement. High School students approved for Category I level may earn up to a total of 4.0 PE credits (1.0 for state requirement, 0.5 for AISD requirements, and up to 2.5 credits for the state elective credits) toward their graduation requirement. Students may not be enrolled in OCPE and any other general Physical Education class or Physical Education substitution at the same time.

In order for a waiver to be granted, AISD will follow the guidelines set by the law as stated in Texas Administrative Code (TAC) §74.11(d)(7)(C). The term "appropriate" implies, among other things, that the substitute activity is in congruence with the Physical Education Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) as closely as possible, if not above and beyond the rigor of the standards.

• Category I - High School (Olympic/National Level) - Participation and/or competition includes a minimum of 15 hours per week of highly intensive, professional, supervised training. The training facility, instructors, and the activities involved in the program must be certified by the superintendent to be of exceptional quality. Students qualifying and participating at this level may be dismissed from school one hour per day. Students dismissed may not miss any class other than physical education.
• Category II - Middle and High School - Participation includes a minimum of 5 hours per week at a private or commercially-sponsored agency that provides physical activities which include those certified by the superintendent to be of high quality and well supervised by appropriately trained instructors. Students certified to participate at this level may not be dismissed from any part of the regular school day.