Texas ARD Meeting Script: Exact Words to Use When Schools Say "No"
You walk into the conference room. This is the ARD (Admission, Review, and Dismissal) meeting. In Texas, this is where decisions are made—and where parents often get steamrolled by a table full of district staff.
But you have something stronger than their acronyms: The Law. Use these exact phrases to push back when the school tries to shut down your requests for Advocacy.
Scenario 1: The "District Policy" Block
The School Says: "We don't offer specialized reading programs here. We only use the standard curriculum."
You Say:
"I understand that is general policy. However, the law requires the IEP to be individualized based on my child's unique needs, not administrative convenience. Can you show me the data that proves your standard curriculum will meet his specific deficit? If not, we need to discuss Specially Designed Instruction."
The Texas Nuclear Option: The 10-Day Recess
In Texas, you have a unique superpower called the 10-Day Recess (19 TAC §89.1055). When mutual agreement isn't reached, you can stop the clock. This is the ultimate tool in your Battle Plan.
The Script:
"I do not agree with this IEP as written. I am invoking my right to a 10-day recess. I would like to stop the meeting, gather more data, and reconvene to try to reach a consensus."
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Access the Full Battle PlanLegal Disclaimer: I am a parent with experience in IEP advocacy, not an attorney. This site shares information and personal experience, not legal advice.