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School: IEP & 504

The ARD meeting in Texas: how special education decisions are made

In Texas, the team that decides on special education is the ARD committee, short for Admission, Review and Dismissal. An ARD meeting is what other states call an IEP meeting, with a few Texas-specific rules.

Updated · 3 min read

From evaluation to the first ARD

  1. After you sign consent, the school completes a Full Individual and Initial Evaluation (FIE), generally within 45 school days.
  2. You receive a copy of the evaluation report.
  3. The ARD committee meets within 30 calendar days of the report to decide eligibility and, if your child qualifies, write the IEP.

Texas rules worth knowing

  • You should get written notice of an ARD meeting at least 5 school days ahead, unless you agree to a shorter time.
  • If you don't agree with the committee's decisions, the meeting can be recessed for up to 10 school days so everyone can look for a solution, then reconvened.
  • The Texas Education Agency publishes a *Parent's Guide to the ARD Process* and a *Notice of Procedural Safeguards*: ask the school for both.
  • An ARD meeting is held at least once a year, and a re-evaluation (REED, then evaluation if needed) at least every three years.

Getting ready

Everything in our IEP meeting checklist applies: reread the IEP, send your concerns in writing, ask for the draft ahead of time, bring someone with you if it helps.

The process in Lumina

How Lumina helps, step by step

  1. 1

    Create an “IEP meeting” deadline for the ARD

    Title it “ARD meeting”, set the date, add your questions in the notes and a calendar reminder.

  2. 2

    Track the FIE timeline

    An Evaluation deadline 45 school days after your consent, so you know when the report is due.

  3. 3

    Bring a summary

    A PDF for the period since the last ARD, School and therapy topics, latest evaluations attached.

  4. 4

    Note the outcome

    Right after, an “IEP & agencies” note: agreements, disagreements, recess date if any.

Everything you write stays encrypted on your device: neither Lumina nor anyone else can read it.

Frequently asked questions

Is an ARD the same as an IEP?+

The ARD committee is the team; the IEP is the document it writes. In Texas, “going to an ARD” means attending the IEP meeting.

What if I disagree at the ARD?+

You can ask for the 10-school-day recess, put your disagreement in writing, and use the dispute options in your procedural safeguards (facilitation, mediation, complaints, due process).

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This guide gives general information, not legal or medical advice. Rules and timelines vary by state and district and can change: check with your school district, your state agency or the official websites. Lumina is not a medical device.