Special Education Sample Letter #2:

ARD (IEP) Meetings:

Did you know that you can convene an ARD (IEP) committee meeting more than once in a year? Your child’s ARD (IEP) meetings can take place for a variety of reasons, and as a committee member, you have the right to request a review meeting for ARD (IEP).

Reasons to Request a Review ARD (IEP):

• Your child is not making progress on one or more of their IEP goals or has regressed;
• Your child has mastered one or more of their IEP goals;
• Your child recently received a new diagnosis or private assessment that needs to be shared with the committee;
• You feel your child needs more services or additional services in order to make progress;
• Your child does not have goals in all areas of need;
• The school calls you frequently to pick your child up early or to inform you of behaviors;
• Assessments need to be updated due to any of the above;
• There has been a major life change with your child such as an illness, injury, or surgery.

The Letter:

This request needs to be in writing as it triggers a timeline for the school to follow in Texas. You can send it via e-mail or print it and bring it to your child’s school. Once the school has received your written request for an ARD (IEP) meeting they have 5 school days to either:

• Schedule the ARD meeting at a mutually convenient time; or
• Provide written notice explaining why they refuse to convene an ARD meeting.

Items to Include:

• Your child’s name, grade, and date of birth;
• That you are requesting an ARD meeting to discuss changes in your child’s IEP;
• State your reasons for requesting the meeting but don’t go into details. Save those for the meeting;
• If you would like a related service provider or district specialist to attend request that they be invited; and
• Provide two to three dates and times that you are available to meet.

Next Steps:

• Start gathering your evidence (data, progress reports, notes from the teacher, assessments, etc.) to support your concerns and/or what you are requesting;
• Make sure your Parent Notebook is up-to-date;
• Start preparing your Parent Agenda for the ARD meeting; and
• If time allows request a Pre-ARD meeting with your child’s teacher or special education case manager to work on goals.

Upcoming Posts:

In my next post, we will discuss writing a letter requesting a copy of your child’s school records.

If you require help in writing a letter or desire an additional perspective to review one you have already written, do not hesitate to contact me.

Be sure to check out my new Resources page on my website.