An Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) Committee Meeting is a formal meeting held by an educational institution to determine the special education needs and eligibility of a student who has a disability. The meeting is attended by the student’s parents or legal guardians, teachers, specialists, and other relevant professionals who work with the student.
After the initial evaluation, an ARD committee must be formed. There are different types of ARDS which will be listed and detailed below.
Who needs to be at the ARD Metting
- You, as the parent
- one regular education teacher of the child who must, when possible, be a teacher who is
responsible for implementing a portion of the child’s IEP; - one special education teacher or provider of the child;
- A representative of the school;
- Someone who can interpret the instructional implications of the evaluation results;
- Other individuals who have knowledge or special expertise regarding the child and are invited by either
you or the school; - Whenever appropriate, the child;
- To the extent appropriate, with your written consent or after your child reaches age 18, with your adult
child’s written consent, a representative of any participating agency that is likely to be responsible for
providing or paying for transition services; - A representative from career and technical education, preferably the teacher, if the child is being
considered for initial or continued placement in career or technical education; and - A professional staff member who is on the language proficiency assessment committee, if the child is
identified as an English learner.
The Meeting could also have
- A teacher who is certified in the education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing, if the child is
suspected of being or is documented as deaf or hard of hearing; - A teacher who is certified in the education of students with visual impairments, if the child has a
suspected or demonstrated visual impairment; or - A teacher who is certified in the education of students with visual impairments and a teacher who is
licensed in the education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing, if the child has suspected or
documented deaf-blindness. - Or a person is certified to help with Speech and Language Impairments.
The school must invite you to ARD Meeting and provide a Prior written notice (PWN).
The Prior written notice must include three things.
- Must be given to you at least five school days before the meeting unless you agree to a shorter timeframe.
- The Prior written notice must include the purpose, time, location, and a list of who will attend the meeting.
- If you cannot speak English, the school must provide the notice in your native language unless it is not feasible. If your native language is not written, the school must ensure that the notice is translated orally or by other means so that you understand the notice.
Where the ARD Meeting Takes Place
The school and you must agree on the time and place for the ARD meeting. If the proposed time doesn’t work, the school will try to find another time that does. If you or another parent can’t attend, you can participate by phone or video. If you don’t want to attend, the school can hold the meeting without you, but your voice is important. Ensure you communicate with the school and know your rights as a parent. If you need to help understand or to assert those rights, consider talking to an advocate or lawyer specializing in special education.
Who Can Be Excused from an ARD Meeting
An ARD committee member may be excused from attending part or all of an ARD committee meeting when
- The ARD member no longer has anything to contribute to the meeting, or if a particle curriculum or adjustment to the IEP is being altered that does not pertain to them. You must approve this dismissal.
- The meeting involves a modification to or discussion of the member’s area of the curriculum or related service if you and the school consent to the excusal in writing and the person being excused submits written input into the development of the IEP before the meeting.
What happens during the ARD Meeting
At the ARD Committee Meeting, the team checks the student’s records and assessments, discusses their strengths and challenges, and develops an individualized education program (IEP). This legal document explains the student’s educational objectives, accommodations, services, and changes needed to help them succeed.
The ARD Committee Meeting is also used to review and update the student’s progress and make any necessary adjustments to their IEP. The meeting must be held at least once a year but can be scheduled more frequently if needed.
Suppose the ARD Committee determines that the student is no longer eligible for special education services or has met their goals and objectives. In that case, the student may be dismissed from the program. However, the student’s progress and educational needs are continually monitored, and they may re-enter the program if necessary.
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