ARD...504...What?

Annual, Review, and Dismissal 

This is the process each student that is in Special services goes through at least once a year. You can call an ARD anytime you would like though to review series in a K-12 level. 

504 is accommodations that are not academically needed. This could be medical reasons, or Mental health reasons. 

Yes, both 504 and Special education services require testing through the school district or your health care provider stating that you need services. Services are given for need based, not just because you want them. 

Depends on the services you need.

For Special Education or 504 for Mental Health:

The Child Find Program allows persons who have contact with the student to inquire services.

You will want to reach out to your Counselor and ask them to have testing done based on the concerns you have. 

For Medical 504 

Reach out to your  Counselor and the nurse at your school, let them know your child has a medical condition and need to set up a 504 for management of the medical condition.  Your medical provider will let you know if they need a medical 504. 

*This is not for someone who would take medication at school.  

Full Independent Evaluation

This is what the school will do when you request for services

Functional Behavior Assessment

This will be conducted if your student needs a behavior plan. This usually comes if there are significant behaviors at school. 

If you have significant behaviors at home, and not at school, reach out to the Diagnostician after services and testing have been conducted to see how the school can help with the accommodations at school. 

Behavior Intervention Plan

This is the accommodations that will be implemented to help your student at school. 

Determination Manifestation Review

This is done with in an ARD meeting. If you student has been out of placement for more than 10 days and they are in special services they call a DMR to determine correct placement going forward and to adjust BIP . 

IF your student is not in services and has received In School Suspension, Out of school Suspension, detentions, DMC, or other disciplines that has kept them out of the educational environment for extensive amount of time, you may want to consider asking for an FIE to determine if your students behaviors are academic based, emotional based, or it they may have referrals for you as a parent. 

This is extra services that are available to you if your child is on the spectrum and is qualified for services wit Special Education. *Remember Specie education is based on an educational need. 

Most of the Time the schools will take your outside diagnosis and testing. However the school still needs to qualify your student for services with an educational need purpose. If they do not qualify for Special education (SPED) you can always request a 504 to help your student. 

SPED services are based on academic need, these services tend to stop after Secondary school. 504 Services are the services your student will need for after school. If your child is in the SPED program the school will help you transition to 504 for after graduation.

Most all services that are available though SPED can be also given with 504 accommodations. 

Your student qualifies for transition services, this includes Texas workforce and a CTE representative in the ARDs starting at 6th grade. 

In ARDS:

School administration

Elective teacher or CTE teacher

Teacher(s)

Parent(s)

Student (6th grade and up)

Representatives for any other services your child receives or will receives

504:

School Administrator

Teacher

Parent(s)

Sometimes student

Yes, 

as you do not have to notify the school it is always welcomed to be transparent and collaborative, 

This is a complex question:

If you do not agree with testing you may request outside testing at the district expense. You would need to fill out the appropriate paperwork for petition. 

IF you do not agree with the ARD meeting accommodations:

Not everyone has to agree in the ARD meeting. It is based on the committee and majority wins. Most of the time the school will make what accommodations they can to help your student. 

You can still appeal by submitting to TEA or refuse the Accommodations and your student will be removed from services you do not agree with. 

there are some options here

you can reach out to Morgan's Helping hands and make an appointment. we will assist you as much as we can.

You can always Visit TEA website to learn more or you can visit Texas Project First.