Advocacy Action Alert | HB 411 – Change “ARD Committee” to “IEP Team”!


HB 411-Change “ARD Committee” to “IEP Team”!

UPDATE 4/23/21: Please refer HB-411 to the Senate Committee on Jurisprudence!

UPDATE 4/16/21: Take Action! Please contact the Lt. Governor, Dan Patrick.  UPDATE 4/9/21: PLEASE TAKE ACTION ON THE SENATE COMPANION HERE: SB-1108NO FURTHER ACTION NEEDED ON HB 411!      Posted: 4/8/21

Issue:

An ARD (Admission, Review, and Dismissal) is meant to refer to the process that determines whether a student is eligible for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) and what will be included on the IEP. By the time a school refers a child for special education testing or services, parents should already be aware that the school suspects the child has a disability. The term ARD is redundant and may be confusing to parents and students. “IEP” is also the terminology used in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

House Bill 411 relates to the terminology that is used to refer to an individualized educational program team. It would change the term “ARD” to the more accurate, appropriate, and more widely-used term, “IEP Team.” This would reduce confusion for parents and students with autism and other disabilities, and align the terminology with IDEA.

Bill:

HB 411 – Rep. Julie Johnson (Companion:  SB 1108 by Senator Beverly Powell)

Read the full bill text here:

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/Text.aspx?LegSess=87R&Bill=HB411

Specific Action Needed:

UPDATE 4/23/21: Call or email and ask: “Please refer HB-411 to the Senate Committee on Jurisprudence!”

UPDATE 4/16/21: Take Action! Please contact the Lt. Governor, Dan Patrick. Ask, “Please refer HB 411! It’s confusing for parents and students with autism to have unnecessary and inaccurate terms for IEP and ARD committees and meetings that determine special education services.”4/9/21 UPDATE – NO ACTION NEEDED ON HB 411! Please only take action on the companion bill, SB 1108

COMPLETED-4/8/21: (On 4/9/21 HB 411 has been place on Local, Consent, and Res. Calendar). Contact your own Texas House Representative (find below) and Speaker of the House, Dade Phelan. Tell them “I support HB-411, please bring it up! It is confusing to parents and students with autism and other disabilities to have unnecessary and inaccurate terms used when determining special education services.” 

Who to Call/Email: 

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick’s Office – Added 4/23/21-Attention Chris Duke Chris.Duke@ltgov.texas.gov  (512) 463-0001

4/23/21 UPDATE: Also contact Committee Clerk Koy Kunkel at koy.kunkel_sc@senate.texas.gov

Now take action on the companion bill, SB 1108: https://www.texasautismsociety.org/sb1108-iepteam

Let us know if you were successful or if AST Advocacy staff need to do any follow-ups at 512-479-4199 Ext. 10 or advocacy@texasautismsociety.org.