Arlington ISD: Anchoring Your Child's ARD

Advocacy in the "American Dream City"

Arlington Independent School District (AISD) is the educational anchor of the DFW Mid-Cities. Serving nearly 55,000 students, it is a district of immense diversity and opportunity. However, as the district faces stabilizing or slightly declining enrollment, resources can sometimes be consolidated. For parents of students with disabilities, this creates anxiety: "Will my child's program move?" "Will the aide ratio change?"

Navigating an Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meeting in a large system like AISD requires a clear understanding of Texas law. Whether you are near the Entertainment District, closer to UTA, or in the southern suburbs, the rules of the TEA (Texas Education Agency) remain your strongest leverage.

The "Mid-Cities" Autism Strategy

If your child has an autism diagnosis, the Texas Autism Supplement is the most critical part of your IEP. Texas law (TAC §89.1055(e)) mandates that the ARD committee consider 11 specific strategies.

Ensure that strategies like "Parent/Family Training" are not just offered but actually scheduled. For a full breakdown of your rights regarding evaluations, review the Texas Evaluation Timeline.

Strategies for AISD ARD Meetings

To ensure your voice is heard amidst the bureaucracy of a major district, use these tactics:

1. Watch for "Change of Placement"

With enrollment shifting, AISD may consolidate specialized classrooms. If the district proposes moving your child to a different campus for "program reasons," remember that placement is an ARD committee decision based on student need, not administrative convenience. Ask: "How does this new setting meet the LRE (Least Restrictive Environment) better than the current one?"

2. Utilize the "10-Day Recess"

Texas provides a powerful tool for parents: the right to disagree. If the ARD committee presents an IEP you believe is insufficient, you do not have to sign it. You can request a "10-day recess" to gather more data, consult an advocate, or simply cool down. This pauses the timeline and forces the team to reconvene.

3. Focus on Transition (UTA & TCC)

Arlington is home to major higher education institutions like UT Arlington and TCC. Your child's transition plan (required by age 14 in Texas) should leverage these local assets. Does the IEP include goals for visiting these campuses or exploring their disability services offices? Connect the IEP to the local ecosystem.

Prepare for your meeting with our verbatim Texas ARD Meeting Script to ensure you ask the right questions.

The Playbook Approach

Arlington is the sports capital of North Texas. Just as the Cowboys and Rangers don't take the field without a playbook, you shouldn't walk into an ARD meeting without one. In the shadow of AT&T Stadium, it's easy to feel small, but in that conference room, you are the most important person at the table. Your "playbook" is your data—work samples, private evaluations, and your parental observations.

How Navigator Kids AI Supports Arlington Families

We provide the tactical support you need to advocate effectively.

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  Draft Review: We analyze your proposed IEP against the Texas Autism Supplement requirements to ensure compliance.
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  Procedural Safeguards: We help you understand your rights regarding TEA Complaints if the district is non-compliant.
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  Meeting Prep: Go into the ARD with a generated agenda that prioritizes your concerns first.