Updated Reference Manual for 2006-2007 Testing Year

In order to assist campuses in preparing ARD committees to make informed assessment decisions, TEA has updated the reference manual, ARD Committee Decision-Making Process for the Texas Assessment.

Admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee members should use this reference manual to guide their decisions regarding the placement and expected academic growth of students with disabilities in the Texas Assessment Program for Grades 3-11. Specifically, this manual covers the following tasks:

• How to make decisions about a student's placement in the Texas Assessment Program by using the TEKS curriculum as documented in the student's IEP;
• How to determine which of the accommodations documented in the IEP are appropriate and allowable for the assessments; and
• How to set a student's expected achievement level (ARD expectation) on an SDAA II assessment.

The updated ARD Committee Decision-making Process for the Texas Assessment manual is available in its entirety on the TEA website at www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/admin/sdaa/ardtrain/phase2/index.html The reference manual may be duplicated as needed for training and record keeping.