ARD Agenda
Before diving into goals or service decisions, every IEP must start with a statement describing the student’s current academic and functional capabilities, known by this acronym.
What is the PLAAFP (Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance)?
To excuse a required member of the ARD committee from a meeting, the school must obtain this from the parent prior to the meeting.
What is written consent/agreement? What is LRE?
This specific document outlining family rights under IDEA must be given to parents at least once a year and upon an initial referral or request for evaluation.
What is the Notice of Procedural Safeguards?
The ARD committee must convene to determine initial eligibility and develop an IEP within this many calendar days from the completion date of the written evaluation report.
What is 30 calendar days?
This is the general timeline, in school days, that a local educational agency (LEA) has to complete a Full and Individual Initial Evaluation (FIIE) report after receiving written parental consent.
What is 45 school days?
During an initial ARD meeting, the committee must address this foundational step before drafting annual goals or deciding on placement.
What is determining eligibility (the eligibility decision)?
A statement in the ARD script confirming that the parent received written notice of the meeting at least 5 school days prior ensures compliance with this federal standard.
What is Prior Written Notice (PWN)?
Parents are entitled to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at public expense if they disagree with this.
What is an evaluation conducted by the LEA/school district?
Federal and state regulations require that transition planning and services begin no later than the first IEP to be in effect when the student reaches this age.
What is 14 years old?
If a parent makes a written request for an initial special education evaluation to the district’s special education director or an administrative employee, the LEA must respond within this many school days.
What is 15 school days?
When a student's behavior impedes their learning or the learning of others, the ARD agenda must include consideration of this type of individualized plan.
What is a Behavioral Intervention Plan (BIP) / positive behavioral supports?
When introducing members at the start of an ARD meeting for a student evaluated for dyslexia, the script must verify the presence of a professional with specific expertise in this process.
What is the reading process / dyslexia instruction?
If a parent requests an IEE at public expense, the school district must either file a due process hearing request to show its evaluation was appropriate or take this action without unreasonable delay.
What is agree to provide/fund the IEE?
Short-term objectives or benchmarks within an IEP are strictly required only for students who take this type of state assessment.
What is an alternate assessment (aligned with alternate academic achievement standards)?
Conducted by members of the ARD committee, this process involves looking at existing data, assessments, and parent input to determine if additional testing is needed.
What is a Review of Existing Evaluation Data (REED)?
For a student identified as emergent bilingual, the ARD agenda must integrate decisions made in conjunction with a representative from this campus committee.
What is the Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC)?
At the conclusion of the meeting, the script guides the committee to document whether all members reached this status, or if a formal disagreement occurred.
What is consensus (or agreement)? What is homebound/residential placement/non-public day school?
Prior Written Notice (PWN) must be provided to parents at least this many school days in advance of a proposed or refused action, unless the parent agrees to waive the timeframe.
What is 5 school days? (This will change to 10 calendar days in July 2027)
At least one year before a student reaches this age, the IEP must include a statement that the student and parent were informed of the upcoming transfer of educational rights.
What is 18 years old (with notice given at age 17)?
If a student accumulates this specific number of absences after written parental consent for an initial evaluation is received, the 45-school-day evaluation deadline is extended by an equal number of school days.
What is 3 or more absences?
Required during the development of every IEP, the committee must systematically consider whether the student requires these device or service options to access their education.
What is Assistive Technology (AT)?
When serving a student who is deaf or hard of hearing, the script must document that the committee explicitly considered opportunities for direct communication with peers and staff in this modality.
What is the student's primary language and communication mode?
While parents may revoke consent for special education services in writing at any time, doing so does not apply to actions taken prior to the revocation, meaning the revocation is not this.
What is retroactive?
Both must be met for a child to be eligible for special education: 1) the child must meet criteria for an eligible disability category, and 2) the child must demonstrate this.
What is a need for special education and related services as a result of the disability?
For a student suspected of having a Visual Impairment (VI), state rules mandate that the multidisciplinary evaluation team must include a certified professional in this specific discipline.
What is a Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS)?