What happens?

An Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meeting is a formal gathering of key stakeholders involved in the education of a student receiving special education services in Texas. The purpose of the ARD meeting is to discuss the student’s educational needs, progress, and goals, and to make decisions regarding their Individualized Education Program (IEP) or other aspects of their special education services. Here’s a detailed overview of what typically happens at an ARD meeting:

  1. Introduction and Welcome: The meeting begins with introductions of all participants, including parents, school staff, and any other individuals present. The ARD facilitator, often a school administrator or designated staff member, welcomes everyone to the meeting and outlines the agenda and objectives.
  2. Review of Meeting Purpose: The ARD facilitator provides an overview of the purpose of the meeting, which may include reviewing assessment results, discussing the student’s progress, developing or revising the IEP, or addressing any other specific concerns or issues related to the student’s educational program.
  3. Present Levels of Performance: The ARD committee reviews the student’s present levels of academic achievement, functional performance, and social-emotional development. This discussion is based on assessment data, teacher observations, parent input, and other relevant information to identify the student’s strengths, weaknesses, and areas of need.
  4. Discussion of Goals and Objectives: The ARD committee collaboratively develops or revises the student’s IEP goals and objectives based on the student’s present levels of performance and individual needs. Goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) and are designed to address the student’s unique educational needs and support their progress in the general education curriculum.
  5. Special Education and Related Services: The ARD committee discusses the specialized instruction, related services, accommodations, modifications, and other supports necessary to meet the student’s educational goals and ensure access to the general education curriculum. The committee considers the student’s individual needs, preferences, and strengths when determining appropriate services and supports.
  6. Placement Determination: The ARD committee determines the student’s placement, including the least restrictive environment (LRE) in which the student will receive their special education services. The committee considers factors such as the student’s academic and social needs, the availability of appropriate services and supports, and the opportunities for interaction with non-disabled peers.
  7. Transition Planning (if applicable): For students transitioning to a new grade level, school, or post-secondary setting, the ARD committee discusses transition goals and services to support the student’s successful transition. Transition planning may include vocational training, independent living skills, post-secondary education, employment opportunities, and community integration.
  8. Parental Input and Agreement: Throughout the meeting, parents are encouraged to provide input, ask questions, and express concerns about their child’s educational program. The ARD committee considers parental input in all decision-making processes and seeks to reach consensus on the student’s educational plan.
  9. Documentation and Signatures: At the conclusion of the meeting, the ARD facilitator ensures that all decisions, recommendations, and agreements reached during the meeting are documented in the student’s IEP or other official ARD paperwork. The IEP is signed by all participants, including parents, to indicate agreement with the proposed educational plan.
  10. Follow-Up and Implementation: After the ARD meeting, the school staff responsible for implementing the student’s IEP, including teachers, related services providers, and administrators, work together to ensure that the student’s educational plan is implemented effectively. Progress toward IEP goals is monitored regularly, and the ARD committee reconvenes periodically to review and revise the student’s educational program as needed.

Overall, the ARD meeting is a collaborative process that aims to ensure that students with disabilities receive the support and services they need to succeed in school. By bringing together parents, educators, and other stakeholders to discuss the student’s individual needs, preferences, and goals, the ARD meeting helps to develop a comprehensive and individualized educational program that supports the student’s academic and developmental progress.