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Step 4: ARD/IEP Planning Conference Between Family and School
NOTE: An ARD/IEP Planning Conference is NOT a requirement of schools within the law. It is considered a “best practice” and is proven to benefit the productivity of IEP committees. Parents are encouraged to be creative and utilize their communication and relationship-building skills to make Planning Conferences happen for their committees.
What happens?
- Family and school personnel meet informally to share and clarify information pertinent to the education process.
- The purpose of the ARD/IEP planning meeting is to introduce information and allow families time to reflect upon and understand all information before making critical decisions .
- Evaluation information is shared
- Present levels and needs may be shared
- Possible IEP goals or objectives may be outlined
- Placement options are reviewed
- Allows for greater depth of conversation and exploration of options than the typical ARD/IEP meeting affords
- All information and options discussed at the ARD/IEP planning meeting must be re-examined at the formal ARD/IEP meeting
Who is involved?
l The family and the student (when appropriate)
l School personnel involved in the assessment and instruction of the studentWhat is the timeline?
l It is recommended that the ARD/IEP planning meeting take place within two weeks of the scheduled IEP meeting.Resources:
Creating Effective Family/School Partnerships (pdf)
Effective Communication
Developing an IEP
Step 1: Request
Step 2: Notice of Rights
Step 3: Evaluation
Step 4: ARD/IEP Planning Conference
Step 5 & 6: The ARD/IEP Meeting
Step 7: On-going Assessment and Data Collection
Step 8: Examine Data and Make Recommendations
Texas Project FIRST is an activity of the Texas Continuing Improvement Process (TCIP) under the auspices of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Region 9 Education Service Center, and is focused on helping to fulfill the goals of TEA and the Parent Training Committee
TEA Parent Information Line 1-800-252-9668Texas Project FIRST - A project of Family To Family Network - Contact Web Administrator