Writing Deliberations

WRITING DELIBERATIONS

When writing deliberations, information IS NOT intended to be a script of all conversations or a repeat of information that was part of the ARD and already has a designated place for documentation (e.g. schedule of service, testing decisions, eligibility). Deliberations should reflect efforts made to solicit meaningful parent participation, document parent concerns along with the district’s response to those concerns and/or pertinent information regarding the academic, social, emotional, physical or health progress for the student. If the parent requested the ARD meeting to be conducted in their native language, the deliberations must be document in English and translated into the parent’s native language unless recorded.

--Deliberations must be read and accepted prior to consensus of ARD--

Items to consider documenting in deliberations:

· Student attendance.

· Campus/Admin concerns.

· Parent concerns and campus response to concerns.

· How student is performing in the general ed setting.

· Newly introduced health concerns, changes in family environment, and additional information shared by parent that may impact student progress.

· Reference to early dismissal of ARDC member or need for assigned Administrative Designee for ARD meeting.

· Parent requests for additional participants in ARD meeting (e.g. family member, friend, advocate, etc).

· Documentation of attempts to notify the parent/adult student concerning the ARD.

· Information that might be pending and will need to be presented at a later date.

· Request for Independent Evaluations if parent did not accept evaluation(s).

· ESY requests and or support for ESY.

· Recommendations for summer school.

· Change to schedule that requires adjustment to LRE and reason for change.

· Changes to accommodations and reason for change.

· Parent or Admin reason for non-consensus ARD.

· End deliberations with this statement “Deliberations were read to ARDC”.

Example Deliberations for standard ARD meeting:

The purpose for the meeting was to conduct the Annual ARD. According to parent information, XXXX has been performing well in school and his behavior at home is average. Parent shared that they have had good communication with his contact teacher this year and are well informed of XXXX’s progress. According to teacher information, progress reports, and grade report, XXXX is performing at grade level with accommodations. XXXX gets along well with classmates and often likes to be a class helper. His strengths appear to be in Reading and Math.

Deliberations were read to ARDC.

Example Deliberations for ARD meeting where parent shares concerns for academics:

The purpose for the meeting was to conduct the Annual ARD. According to parent information, XXXX has been doing well completing homework in math but struggles with reading homework and often tends to spend more than an hour on any given reading assignment. According to teacher information, progress reports and grade reports, XXXX has been performing near grade level with accommodation support in Math, Science, and Social Studies but does struggle with reading comprehension. A revision to accommodations was recommended to address need for support in reading comprehension and reading homework assignments.

Deliberations were read to ARDC.

Example Deliberations when parent did not attend the ARD after (2) 5 day Notice:

The purpose for the meeting was to conduct the Annual ARD and present reevaluation. Parent was provided with written Notice of ARD on 8/31/2017 along with a phone call on 9/2/2017. Parent did not respond or attend designated ARD date. A second Notice of ARD for 9/10/2017 was sent home with the student and by mail. Parent was phoned on 9/11/2017 but did not answer phone call and voicemail was not set up to leave a message. A home visit was made on 9/12/2017 to leave an extra copy of the second Notice of ARD. No one appeared to be home. Parent did not respond to Second Notice of ARD or contact attempts therefore the ARDC agreed to conduct the meeting without the parent.

Annual information and evaluations were presented and accepted by ARDC. Deliberations were read to ARDC.

Example Deliberations for Amendment ARD for student not meeting SSI:

The purpose for the meeting was to conduct an Amendment ARD to address STAAR results and need for Accelerated Instructional Plan in Reading and Math. Parent was unable to attend meeting but was informed of recommendations over the phone on XX-XX-17. XXXX did not meet passing standards in STAAR Reading or STAAR Math during the May 2017 administration. XXXX will be provided with instructional support 15 min (3 x per week) for the next 2 weeks as part of the accelerated instructional plan. XXXX will be administered the second administration for Reading and Math in 2 weeks. Deliberations were read to ARDC.

Example Deliberations for Manifestation ARD meeting:

The purpose for the meeting was to conduct a Manifestation ARD meeting. A review of the student’s current suspensions was discussed as well as the current FBA/BIP. XXXX received a referral on XX-XX-17 for drug possession. Campus hearing recommended a 45 school day suspension to ING. In review of the MDR, the ARDC determined that the infraction was not a result of a lack of implementation of the BIP nor was the infraction directly related to the XXXXX disability.

A revision to the BIP was recommended to address changes with behavior supports and positive intervention. Deliberations were read to ARDC.

Example Deliberations for student with habitual absences:

The purpose for the meeting was to conduct an Annual ARD meeting. According to parent information, XXXX has had a few absences because of illness. According to teacher information, progress reports, grade reports, and attendance, XXXX has been struggling in Reading and Math. XXXX has also missed 35 school days of the current 79 days of instruction this school year. Campus nurse requested updated medical information from parents but new information has not been shared as absences have not required medical attention as per parent. Campus admin reviewed school attendance requirements and ARDC shared concern for attendance and how loss of instruction may be impacting student’s academic progress. Parent is aware that lack of school attendance may also impact grade level promotion. Deliberations were read to ARDC.