ARD Facilitator

Job Title: ARD Facilitator

Wage/Hour Status: Exempt

Reports to: Assistant Director of Special Services

Pay Grade: Admin/Prof - 4

Dept./School: Special Services

Work Calendar: 197 Days

Primary Purpose: The Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) facilitator is responsible for coordinating, planning, and preparing the related documentation of IEP/ARDs for students referred or eligible for special education services. The ARD facilitator ensures all Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings are conducted within appropriate timelines and comply with federal and state requirements. The ARD Facilitator chairs ARD meetings and participates in the decision-making process of the ARD Committee.

Qualifications

Education/Certification:

Master’s degree in education or related field preferred

Valid Texas teaching certificate in Special Education or a related field qualified to provide or supervise the provision of, specially designed instruction to meet the unique needs of children with disabilities is required

Special Knowledge/Skills

• Understand the function of the Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee meeting and the provision of a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
• Have advanced knowledge of
• IDEA and legal requirements
• the ARD process and paperwork
• the availability of resources of the school district
• the general curriculum
• Able to guide the development and implementation of the Individual Education Plan (IEP)
• Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with others
• Organize and manage multiple priorities and projects
• Use computer and application software
• Ability to exercise good decision making
• Ability to maintain professional composure in stressful situations
  

Experience

3 years’ teaching experience or specialized experience in Special Education required

5 years’ teaching experience or specialized experience in Special Education preferred

Major Responsibilities And Duties

ARD Facilitation

• Attend and facilitate ARD meetings as school district representative, which includes establishing an agenda, setting the time allotted for the meeting, and establishing a set of guidelines for the meeting.
• Guide ARD committee discussions using facilitation techniques to help the committee members communicate and collaborate effectively. Ensure each committee member has an opportunity to participate, resolve disagreements that arise, and keep the committee on task.
• Implement and maintain systematic communication between special and general education personnel with respect to ARD meetings and decisions, Individual Education Plans (IEPs), student accommodations, and instructional concerns and progress.
• Coordinate and communicate with campus appraisal staff and all related service personnel as necessary.
• Oversee/advise the campus ARD scheduler(s) who create and maintain an ARD calendar for designated campuses.
• Check for completion of ARDs, ensuring that district standards are met.
• Monitor ARD paperwork completed by campus personnel and provide support to special education teachers regarding the development of PLAAFP statements and IEP goals and objectives that follow a standards-based IEP model.
• Ensure that current campus state assessment rosters are updated.
• Ensure that a duly composed ARD committee is present at all ARDs.
• Ensure that Individual Transition Plan elements are completed, when applicable.
• Conduct ongoing folder reviews to ensure eligibility folders meet compliance standards according to TEA’s Desk Review Rubric.
• Monitor timelines for all ARDs.
• Coordinate/ensure the gathering of information and data needed for ARDs (e.g. accommodations implementation logs, assessment data, attendance, state assessment history, profile information, behavioral referrals).
• Complete appropriate ARD supplements and ensure that relevant service providers have gathered all appropriate data (i.e., ESY regression, individual educational plan (IEP), behavior improvement plan (BIP, etc).
  
  

Other

• Attend special education department staff meetings and relevant staff development.
• Maintain positive relationships with school staff, parents, and community members.
• Attend relevant procedural/legal/professional conferences each year.
• Travel within the district, as required.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding student and coworker information and as required by FERPA.
  
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

None.

MENTAL DEMANDS / PHYSICAL DEMANDS / ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Tools/Equipment Used: Standard office equipment including personal computer and peripherals

Posture: Prolonged sitting; occasional bending/stooping, pushing/pulling, twisting

Motion: Repetitive hand motions, frequent keyboarding and use of mouse

Lifting: Occasional light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds)

Environment: Occasional districtwide and statewide travel

Mental Demands: Work with frequent interruptions; maintain emotional control under stress

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.