TRINITY ISD STAFF DEVELOPMENT What is an ARD Meeting?

ARD: Admission, Review, and Dismissal

Functions of the ARD: The Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee meets at least once a year to develop, the student’s Individual Education Plan (IEP). The ARD committee should review “student- centered” success and work toward reaching a consensus among all members.

Who should be in attendance? Administrator (usually a principal or assistant principal) General education teacher Special education teacher Assessment Person Parents LPAC Representative Related service person (for students receiving a related service such as OT, PT, VI, APE, etc.)

What should I bring to the meeting? Examples of the students work Benchmark results Progress reports Current grades Attendance record IEP’s (old and new)

Things to remember! Be on time! Always have something positive to say. If negative things need to be said, state them in a manner that the parents and other members of the ARD committee won’t be offended. Stay calm, even if the parent doesn’t. Try to stay for the duration of the ARD. Show that you are “truly” concerned about the student being discussed…reverse the role…what if this were your child? Be sensitive!

When making assessment decisions during the ARD: Review the student’s present level of academic achievement and functional performance (PLAFF). Determine in what manner the student will receive instruction in the grade-level TEKS based on the student’s PLAAFP. Determine the appropriate assessment for the student. Document the appropriate assessment, including all allowable or approved accommodations that the student will need during testing.

Issues to consider: Accommodations *copy of notes, recorded text, highlighted text, or extra time for completion of assignments. Modifications *off grade level instruction

Don’t take the ARD process lightly: Don’t recommend things that your committee is not aware of in advance. For example: medication, additional assessment, or moving a student from the general education setting to a resource class. If you have concerns before the ARD, ask for a staffing so that the committee will not be caught off guard. The committee is obligated to develop the individualized education program by agreement of the committee members. If members can not agree, then alternate methods of agreement can be determined. MAJORITY vote may not be used to determine the individualized education program.

You do know that: You are signing and agreeing to a legal document. Make reasonable recommendations that the school and staff can follow. Accommodations and modifications HAVE to be followed for the duration of the ARD year.. You can call an ARD at any time if you feel that things in the ARD such as the IEP need to be changed, modified, or deleted.

Confidentiality: You can not go out and talk about the ARD in the beauty salon, grocery store, church, or restaurant. As an individual teacher you could be held liable for confidentiality being breached.

The ARD committee should have confidence that the student will be able to successfully complete all requirements for high school graduation.

Questions and/or Concerns: Call Marcia Lawton, Trinity ISD Director of Special Education at 936-594-3569 ext. 1051.