Education
Perspectives on Parenting©
by Nancy Lambert Davenport
Nancy Davenport's Column:
For Richardson News 01-17-99
Copyright Nancy Lambert Davenport 1999
"Preparation for an ARD (Admission, Review, & Dismissal) Meeting"
Many families of students with disabilities are having ARD's at this time of the year. This is a meeting named for the Admission, Review and Dismissal process. At this gathering, interested people will meet with the school district to decide how a student's education will be carried out for the next year. These are required by law to be held at least once a year.
It can be a very stressful meeting for all involved, especially parents. Big decisions are often made about their children. Generally interested parties want to do it right, so it won't have to be done for another year.
At least five days before the meeting parents will receive a notice telling them of the time, place and purpose of the meeting as well as a list of the people attending. Students over eighteen years old must receive their own notices.
Before the ARD, according to the publication called "It's a Good Idea!", these are the things parents must check off a list:
- Read the letter of notification carefully so you know the who's and what's of the occasion.
- Make sure there is going to be plenty of time.
- Ask for copies of any testing or assessments done by the school district, etc, which you don't have for whatever reason. This can even include the Essential Elements for your child's grade level or a blank IEP (Individual Education Plan) forms.
- Get together any appropriate reports you have from outsiders such as doctors, therapists, tutors or other consultants.
- Make a list of your own view of your child's gifts and talents.
- Read the Essential Elements of your child's grade and make a list of any items he could do, with and without modifications .
- List in order of priority anything else you would like your child to learn along with comments about how these items will help her have a better life.
- List areas of his life that would benefit from assistive technology, such as computer use for communication or other devices for mobility.
- Copy everything.
- Invite your own personal supporters to the ARD meeting
- Perhaps you may want to meet informally ahead of time with teachers. If so, make that appointment.
- If you want to tape record the meeting, be sure your equipment is ready.
- And I always like to add time to pray for wisdom and peace for all participants especially my child.
Being prepared makes the meeting so much more beneficial to everyone. If you have done your part and are fully prepared, your child can only come out a winner.
Thank you to the publication, "It's a Good Idea!" from the ARC of Texas and Advocacy, Inc.
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Nancy LambertDavenport
EMAIL: ndavenport@ticnet.com
URL: http://www.nancyldavenport.com