Hirahcares

Empowering Every Ability

[
[
[

]
]
]

ARD Meeting

Next Up on Our Blog: How to Advocate with Confidence

When you hear ARD meeting, you might picture a big table, lots of papers, and a room full of people making decisions about your child. It can feel overwhelming—believe me, I understand. But here’s the truth: you do not have to go through it alone.

With the right approach, you can speak up calmly and make sure your child’s needs are heard and respected.

Step 1: You Don’t Have to Sign Right Away

If you don’t agree with the ARD plan, you have the right to not sign on the spot.
You can simply say:

“I would like to take this home to review before I sign.”

That’s your legal right—don’t let anyone rush you.

Step 2: EVERYTHING MUST BE IN WRITING

This is so important: EVERYTHING MUST BE IN WRITING.
Email is best because it automatically creates a paper trail with dates and times. If you talk in person or by phone, follow it up with an email saying:

“Just to confirm what we discussed today…”

That way, you always have EVIDENCE and a PAPER TRAIL in case you need to reference it later.

Step 3: Talk to the Teacher First

Sometimes, things can be resolved by speaking with your child’s teacher. Start here and explain your concerns calmly.

Step 4: Request a Follow-Up ARD Meeting

If you still disagree, send a written request for another ARD meeting. Be specific about:

  • What you disagree with
  • The changes you want
  • Why those changes matter for your child

Step 5: Chain of Command – Who to Contact

  1. Teacher – Start here.
  2. ARD Committee Chairperson – The person leading the meeting.
  3. School Principal – Escalate if needed.
  4. Special Education Director (District Level) – Manages special education for the whole district.
  5. Superintendent / School Board – For unresolved cases.

Always move step-by-step and keep it professional.

Step 6: Bring an Advocate with You

You don’t have to face the ARD meeting alone. Bring someone who understands your rights and can help you speak up.

Some advocacy options:

Step 7: File a Formal Complaint (If Needed)

If nothing changes, you can file a complaint with the Texas Education Agency (TEA):

Step 8: Follow Up Every Time

After every email, phone call, or meeting—EVERYTHING MUST BE IN WRITING.
This is how you protect yourself and your child.

Remember

You are your child’s first and strongest advocate.
When you combine your love for them with a calm, documented approach, the school is more likely to listen and work with you.

In my next blog, I’ll show you exact email templates and phrases you can use to make your requests crystal clear.
Stay connected and subscribe at HirahCares.org—we’re in this together.

Urdu

Agla Blog: Apne Bachay ke Liye Atma Itebaad ke Sath Advocate Karna

Mere piyare parivaron,

Jab aap ARD meeting ka naam sunte ho, shayad aapke zehan mein ek lambi table, bohot saare papers, aur ek room bhar logon ka tasavvur aata hoga jo aapke bachay ke baare mein faislay kar rahe hain. Yeh sab kaafi overwhelming lag sakta hai—aur main samajh sakti hoon. Lekin asal baat yeh hai: aapko yeh akelay nahi karna hota.

Sahi tareeqay se, aap araam se apni baat rakh sakte ho aur ensure kar sakte ho ke aapke bachay ki zarooratein suni jaa rahi hain.

Step 1: Foran Sign Karne Ki Zaroorat Nahi

Agar aap ARD plan se mutmaeen nahi ho, toh aapka haq hai ke usi waqt sign na karein.
Aap bas keh sakte ho:

“Main isay ghar le ja kar dekhna chahta/chahti hoon phir sign karungi.”

Yeh aapka legal right hai—kisi ko apko jaldi karne ka moka mat dein.

Step 2: EVERYTHING MUST BE IN WRITING

Yeh bohot important hai: EVERYTHING MUST BE IN WRITING.
Email sabse behtareen hai kyunki yeh apne aap date aur time ke saath paper trail banata hai. Agar aap face-to-face ya phone par baat karte ho, toh baad mein email bhejo jisme likho:

“Aaj jo humne discuss kiya tha uski confirmation yeh hai…”

Iss tarah aapke paas hamesha EVIDENCE aur PAPER TRAIL rahegi jo baad mein kaam ayegi.

Step 3: Pehle Teacher Se Baat Karein

Kabhi kabhi sirf teacher se calmly baat karke masla hal ho sakta hai.

Step 4: Follow-Up ARD Meeting Mangna

Agar aap abhi bhi agree nahi karte, toh likh kar request bhejein ke ek aur ARD meeting ho. Clear likhein:

  • Kis baat se aap disagree karte ho
  • Kya changes chahte ho
  • Kyun yeh changes aapke bachay ke liye zaroori hain

Step 5: Chain of Command – Kis Ko Contact Karein

  1. Teacher – Pehle teacher se start karein.
  2. ARD Committee Chairperson – Meeting lead karne wala.
  3. School Principal – Agar zarurat ho toh escalate karein.
  4. Special Education Director (District Level) – Pure district ka special ed handle karta hai.
  5. Superintendent / School Board – Agar kuch hal na ho.

Step-by-step move karein aur professional tone rakhein.

Step 6: Apne Sath Advocate Le Jaen

ARD meeting mein aapko akela nahi jana. Aap ke saath koi ho jo rights samajhta ho aur aapko bolne mein madad kare.

Advocacy Options:

Step 7: Formal Complaint File Karna (Agar Zaroorat Ho)

Agar kuch kaam na bane, toh Texas Education Agency (TEA) ke paas complaint file karein:

Step 8: Har Baat Follow Up Karein

Har email, call, ya meeting ke baad—EVERYTHING MUST BE IN WRITING.
Yeh aapko aur aapke bachay ko protect karta hai.

Yaad Rakhein

Aap apne bachay ke sabse pehle aur sabse strong advocate hain.
Jab aap apne pyaar ko calm aur documented approach ke saath combine karte ho, toh school zyada tawajju deta hai.

Mere agle blog mein main aapko exact email templates aur phrases dungi jo aap use karke apni baat clear bana sakte ho.
Connected rahiye aur subscribe karein HirahCares.org—hum saath hain.