An admission, review and dismissal (ARD) committee determines a child's eligibility for special education services and makes most of the major decisions about the child's special education placement and the services needed. If an ARD committee is formed for your child, you will be a member of that committee.

The ARD committee also includes, as applicable:

• A teacher who is certified in the education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing, if the child is suspected of being or is documented as deaf or hard of hearing;

• A teacher who is certified in the education of students with visual impairments, if the child has a suspected or documented visual impairment; or

• A teacher who is certified in the education of students with visual impairments and a teacher who is certified in the education of students who are deaf or hard of hearing, if the child has suspected or documented deaf-blindness.

Learn more about the ARD process and your rights and responsibilities in this document created by the statewide leadership for The Legal Framework project team and the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

If you have any questions about the information in these documents or need someone to explain it to you, reach out to one of the local special education contacts listed on our site.

This guide was developed by the Statewide Leadership for the Legal Framework Project Team and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) in response to the requirement in the Texas Education Code (TEC) § 26.0081. The guide is designed to give you, as the parent of a child who is or may be eligible for special education services, a better understanding of the special education process and of your procedural rights and responsibilities so that you will be able to fully participate in the decision-making process regarding your child’s education.

Parent's Guide to the ARD Process

Delayed or Denied Evaluations and Compensatory Services

Delayed or Denied Evaluations and Compensatory Services (Espanol)