What Is an ARD Meeting? A Texas Parent's Guide

The short answer: An ARD meeting is what Texas calls the IEP meeting for a student in special education. ARD stands for Admission, Review and Dismissal. At an ARD meeting, a team that includes you decides whether your child qualifies for special education, writes their IEP (Individualized Education Program), and reviews it at least once a year. You're a full member of that team, and nothing is final until the committee works through it with you.

If you just got a notice for your child's first ARD meeting, it's normal to feel nervous. There are a lot of acronyms and a lot of people at the table. This guide explains what happens, who will be there, your rights and how to prepare, so you can walk in ready to speak up for your child.

Who's on the ARD committee?

• You, the parent or guardian.
• A general education teacher, if your child is or may be in a general education classroom.
• A special education teacher or provider.
• A district representative who can commit district resources.
• Someone who can explain the evaluation results, often the evaluator or a diagnostician.
• Others who know your child, invited by you or the district. That can include your child's private speech, OT or ABA therapist.
• Your child, when appropriate.

The different kinds of ARD meetings

• Initial ARD: after your child's evaluation (called the FIIE, or Full and Individual Initial Evaluation), the committee meets within 30 calendar days of the evaluation report to decide eligibility and write the first IEP. The district must give you the evaluation report at least five school days before this meeting.
• Annual ARD: the committee reviews the IEP no later than 365 days after the last annual review.
• Reevaluation: your child is reevaluated at least every three years, unless you and the district agree it isn't needed.
• Transition from ECI: if your child is in Early Childhood Intervention, planning starts before age 3, and services should be in place by your child's third birthday. See our guide to ECI in Texas.
• Any time you ask: you can request an ARD meeting in writing whenever you have concerns.

Before the meeting

• Notice: the district must send you written notice at least five school days before an ARD meeting, unless you agree to a shorter time. (Starting July 1, 2027, that becomes at least 10 calendar days.) The district must also offer to let you join by phone or video.
• The Parent's Guide to the ARD Process: Texas districts must give you this guide soon after a referral and at least five school days before the first ARD meeting. You can also find it on SPEDTex.
• Ask for documents ahead of time: Texas doesn't require a draft IEP before the meeting, but you can ask for one, along with any evaluation results and progress data.
• Write down your priorities: the three or four things that would make the biggest difference for your child at school.
• Gather outside information: reports from your child's doctor and private therapists help the team see the whole child.
• Recording the meeting: Texas special education rules don't address parents recording ARD meetings. If you want to record, check your district's policy and tell the district ahead of time.

What happens during the meeting

Most ARD meetings follow the same order. The team reviews your child's evaluation or progress, describes your child's current strengths and needs, sets annual goals, decides on services and supports, and decides where those services will happen. You can ask questions at every step.

Autism strategies the committee must consider

For autistic students, Texas rules (19 TAC 89.1055) require the ARD committee to consider these strategies at least once a year, and to explain in the IEP if it decides one isn't needed:

• Extended school year or extended day services
• Daily schedules with little unstructured time
• Training in the home and community
• Positive behavior supports, including a behavior plan based on a functional behavioral assessment
• Planning for the future, starting at any age
• Parent and family training
• The right staff-to-student ratio
• Communication supports
• Social skills supports
• Training and support for school staff
• Teaching strategies based on research

It helps to bring this list and ask how each one applies to your child.

If you don't agree

If the committee can't reach agreement, Texas gives parents a specific option: you can ask to recess and reconvene. You get one opportunity to pause the meeting, and the committee meets again within 10 school days unless you and the district agree on a different date. During the break, everyone can gather more information and consider other options.

If you still don't agree when the committee reconvenes, the district must put in place the IEP it believes is appropriate, and you can add a written statement of disagreement to the IEP. You also have other options, including mediation, a state complaint or a due process hearing. Your Notice of Procedural Safeguards explains each one, and SPEDTex can help you understand them.

If Spanish is your primary language

If you don't speak English and your primary language is Spanish, the district must give you a complete written or audio-recorded copy of the IEP in Spanish. For other languages, the district must make a good-faith effort to provide a translation. You can also ask for an interpreter at the meeting.

Questions to ask at your child's ARD meeting

• What are my child's goals for this year, and how will you measure progress?
• How often will I get progress reports?
• Who will provide each service, and how often?
• Which of the autism strategies are in my child's IEP, and why were any left out?
• How will the team help my child with transitions, group time and communicating needs?
• Can my child's private therapists share goals with the school team?

How private therapy fits alongside the IEP

School services focus on what your child needs to take part and learn at school. Private speech, OT and ABA therapy can work on the same skills outside the school day, with more one-on-one time. When the two teams share goals, children make progress that carries from school to home. Our half-day prep school helps children who still need one-on-one support practice circle time, transitions and group play before or alongside school.

For the full IEP process, from requesting an evaluation to IEP vs. 504 plans, see our guide to getting an IEP for autism.

Free help in Texas

• SPEDTex: the state's special education information center. Call 1-855-773-3839.
• Partners Resource Network: free parent training and help with special education, with parent centers across Texas.

Common questions

What does ARD stand for?

Admission, Review and Dismissal. In Texas, the ARD committee is the team that decides whether a student qualifies for special education, writes the IEP and reviews it each year.

Is an ARD meeting the same as an IEP meeting?

Yes. Texas uses "ARD meeting" for what other states call an IEP meeting.

How much notice do I get before an ARD meeting?

At least five school days, 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 the ARD meeting?

Yes. You can bring anyone who knows your child or can support you, like a partner, an advocate or your child's private therapist.

What if I disagree with the ARD committee?

You can ask to recess and reconvene within 10 school days. If you still disagree, you can attach a written statement of disagreement and use other options like mediation or a due process hearing.

Sources: Texas Administrative Code Title 19, Sections 89.1011, 89.1050 and 89.1055, as amended effective October 4, 2026; Texas Education Code Sections 26.0081 and 29.005; IDEA regulations (34 CFR 300.321 and 300.322); Texas Education Agency, Parent's Guide to the ARD Process. Rules change, so confirm details with your district. Last checked October 2026.