How to prepare for an ARD meeting comes down to three things: know who is on the committee, bring your records and your own written concerns, and know your Texas rights. ARD stands for Admission, Review, and Dismissal, and the ARD committee is the Texas name for the IEP team. You are a member of it, and the school must give you written notice at least five school days before the meeting.
Key takeaways
- The ARD committee is the IEP team defined in federal law, and parents are members of it (19 TAC 89.1050).
- The school must give written notice at least five school days before the meeting unless you agree to a shorter time. On July 1, 2027, this becomes 10 calendar days.
- You can request an ARD meeting in writing. The school must schedule it or explain its refusal in writing.
- If you disagree, you get one chance to recess and reconvene within 10 school days, and you can add a statement of disagreement.
- Bring your records and a one-page parent input letter. New Texas rules effective October 4, 2026 raise the bar for present levels and goals.
What is an ARD meeting in Texas?
Texas rules say each district must form an ARD committee for every eligible student with a disability. The committee is the individualized education program (IEP) team defined in federal law. TEA describes three kinds of ARD meetings:
- Admission (initial): after an evaluation, the committee decides if your child is eligible and, if so, writes the IEP.
- Review and revision: the yearly meeting, or any meeting held sooner to change the IEP.
- Dismissal: the committee decides whether your child still has a disability and still needs special education. A new evaluation is generally required first.
Who sits on the ARD committee?
| Member | Why they are there |
|---|---|
| You, the parent | You know your child best and are an equal member |
| A general education teacher | Explains the regular classroom, if your child is or may be in it |
| A special education teacher or provider | Knows what is being taught through the IEP |
| A school district representative | Knows special education, the general curriculum and what the district can offer |
| Someone who can explain evaluation results | Helps everyone understand the testing. This can be one of the people above. |
| Other people with knowledge of your child | Invited by you or by the school, such as a therapist |
| Your child, when appropriate | Helps share goals and preferences, especially during transition planning |
Extra members are required in some cases. Examples include a language proficiency committee member for students who are emergent bilingual, a career and technical education representative when that placement is discussed, and a dyslexia professional when dyslexia eligibility is decided.
How to prepare for an ARD meeting: a step-by-step checklist
- Read the notice closely. Under federal rules it must state the purpose, time and location of the meeting and who will attend (34 CFR 300.322). If the time does not work, ask for another. You can also take part by phone or video.
- Get your rights documents. Ask for the Parent's Guide to the ARD Process and the Notice of Procedural Safeguards. TEA says the school should give you the guide before your first ARD meeting or whenever you ask.
- Collect your records. Gather the current IEP, recent progress reports, the latest evaluation, report cards, state test results, work samples, outside reports and key emails.
- Write a one-page parent input letter. List your child's strengths, your top concerns and what you hope for next year. The committee must consider your concerns when it writes the IEP.
- Check the present levels and goals. Under rules effective October 4, 2026, the present levels statement must describe your child's strengths and include baseline data, and each annual goal needs a timeframe, a condition, a behavior and a criterion. Ask: "Where is the baseline for this goal?"
- Pick your top three asks. Decide what matters most, such as a service, a support or a goal change. It is easier to stay focused with a short list.
- Decide who joins you. You may bring someone with knowledge or special expertise about your child. If you need an interpreter, ask in advance. The school must take reasonable action to make sure you understand the meeting.
- Prepare your questions. Our guide on how to prepare for an IEP meeting as a parent has more ideas you can use here too.
- Plan for notes. Bring a notebook. If you would like to audio record, ask the district about its policy before the day.
- Think ahead about transition. Texas requires transition goals no later than the first IEP in effect when a student turns 14, so expect the topic to come up in the teen years.
What are your rights before, during and after an ARD meeting?
| When | Your right | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Before | Written notice at least five school days ahead, unless you agree to a shorter time, in your primary language unless that is clearly not feasible | 19 TAC 89.1050 (10 calendar days from July 1, 2027) |
| Before | Ask for a meeting in writing. The school must schedule it or send a written refusal within five school days. | 19 TAC 89.1050 (10 school days to offer times or refuse from July 1, 2027) |
| During | Take part in person, by phone or by video, with an interpreter if needed | 19 TAC 89.1050 and 89.1055 |
| During | Decisions are made by agreement when possible, not by majority vote | TEA Parent's Guide to the ARD Process |
| After | A free copy of the IEP. For IEPs developed or amended from July 1, 2027, it must arrive within 10 school days of being finalized. | 34 CFR 300.322 and 19 TAC 89.1055 |
| After | One chance to recess and reconvene within 10 school days, and a statement of disagreement in the IEP | 19 TAC 89.1055 |
| After | Prior written notice at least five school days before the school proposes or refuses a change in identification, evaluation, placement or services, unless you agree to a shorter time | 19 TAC 89.1050 |
What happens at the ARD meeting?
Every meeting is a little different, but most follow this order:
- Introductions and a reminder of the meeting's purpose.
- Review of evaluation results and progress on current goals.
- Present levels, new goals and how progress will be measured.
- Services, accommodations, testing supports and where services will happen.
- Extended school year, transition and other special topics, as needed.
- A summary of decisions. The IEP records whether you and the school's representative agreed or disagreed.
You do not have to decide everything on the spot. If you need time, say so.
What if you disagree at an ARD meeting in Texas?
Stay calm and say which part you disagree with. Then you have these options:
- Recess and reconvene. You get one offer to pause the meeting and meet again within 10 school days, unless you and the school agree on another time. During the break, the committee must consider alternatives and gather more information. There are limited exceptions, such as certain discipline situations.
- Statement of disagreement. You may write your own statement and have it included in the IEP.
- Free state facilitation. If the committee agreed to recess and reconvene, TEA can assign a facilitator at no cost if both sides sign the request form and TEA gets it within ten calendar days of the meeting. It is available once per school year for the same student.
- Formal options. Mediation, a state complaint and a due process hearing are explained in your procedural safeguards notice, along with deadlines.
For free help, the SPEDTex helpline at 1-855-773-3839 answers questions about special education in Texas. To learn more about your rights, see our guide to special education rights.
Frequently asked questions
What does ARD stand for in Texas?
ARD stands for Admission, Review, and Dismissal. The ARD committee is the Texas name for the IEP team, and the parents are members of it.
How much notice must the school give before an ARD meeting?
Texas rules require written notice at least five school days before the meeting, unless you agree to a shorter time. Starting July 1, 2027, the notice period becomes at least 10 calendar days.
Can I bring someone to an ARD meeting?
Yes. You or the school may invite people who have knowledge or special expertise about your child, such as a therapist, tutor or advocate. It helps to tell the school ahead of time who is coming.
Can I ask for an ARD meeting whenever I want?
Yes. Send a written request, and the school must schedule the meeting or explain its refusal in writing within five school days. After July 1, 2027, it has 10 school days to offer meeting times or send a written refusal.
What if I disagree with the ARD committee's decision?
Texas gives you one chance to recess the meeting and reconvene within 10 school days, unless you and the school agree to a different time. You can also add a statement of disagreement to the IEP, and other options such as mediation or a complaint are explained in your procedural safeguards notice.
Want a calmer ARD meeting?
Walking into a room of school staff can feel hard. SustainBL offers IEP support for parents, and you can Start the free IEP intake to tell us about your child and your upcoming meeting.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Rules can vary by state and district.
