IEP timelines: annual reviews, reevaluations and evaluation deadlines
By the IEP Atlas editorial teamLast updated
Short answer
The main IEP timelines are: an initial evaluation within 60 days of consent, or your state's timeline; an IEP meeting within 30 days of an eligibility decision; an annual review at least every 12 months; and a reevaluation at least every 3 years. Many states set shorter or different timelines, so check your state rules and count from the right start date.
IEP deadlines are easy to miss because each one counts from a different start date. The 60-day clock starts at consent, not referral. The annual review counts from the last IEP meeting. The reevaluation counts from the last eligibility decision. A case manager with 20 students is tracking 60 or more dates at once.
This page lays out the federal timelines in one table, then follows one student through four years of dates. For the case manager's wider role, see the pillar on case manager responsibilities.
The federal timelines in one table
| Timeline | Federal rule | Starts counting from | Where states differ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Initial evaluation | Within 60 days, or the state's own timeline[1] | Receipt of parent consent to evaluate | Many states set their own number, in calendar or school days |
| IEP meeting after eligibility | Within 30 days[2] | Determination that the child needs special education | Some states set a single combined timeline from consent to IEP |
| Services begin | As soon as possible after the IEP is developed[2] | The IEP meeting | Some states set a number of days |
| IEP in effect | At the start of each school year[2] | First day of school | Same everywhere |
| Annual review | At least once every 12 months[3] | Date of the last IEP meeting | Some states count to the day before the anniversary |
| Reevaluation | At least every 3 years, not more than once a year, unless parent and district agree[4] | Date of the last eligibility decision | Some states set a finishing timeline once a reevaluation starts |
| Progress reports | As stated in the IEP, such as with report cards[5] | IEP start date | Set locally |
| Transition plan | In the first IEP in effect when the student turns 16, or younger if appropriate[5] | Student's 16th birthday | Some states start at 14 or 15 |
| Transfer of rights notice | At least 1 year before the age of majority[5] | Student's age of majority under state law | Age of majority is set by each state |
| Part C to Part B | IEP or IFSP in effect by the third birthday[6] | Child's third birthday | Process steps vary |
For disputes and discipline, other federal clocks apply. A state complaint decision is generally due within 60 days of filing.[7] A manifestation determination must happen within 10 school days of a decision to change placement for a disciplinary removal.[8] A parent's request to review records must be met without unnecessary delay and within 45 days at most.[9]
One student, four years of dates
This example is fictional and uses the federal timelines. Your state's numbers may differ.
Student: Zoe, kindergarten at the start. "Year 1" means her kindergarten school year, so January of Year 1 comes after October of Year 1.
| Date | Event | Next date it sets |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2, Year 1 | Teacher and parent refer Zoe for evaluation | School reviews the request; prior written notice if it declines |
| Oct 16, Year 1 | Parent signs consent to evaluate | Evaluation due within 60 days: Dec 15, Year 1 |
| Dec 8, Year 1 | Eligibility meeting; Zoe is found eligible | IEP meeting due within 30 days: Jan 7, Year 1 |
| Jan 6, Year 1 | First IEP meeting | Services start as soon as possible. Annual review due by Jan 5, Year 2. Reevaluation due by Dec 7, Year 4 |
| Jan 13, Year 1 | Services begin | Progress reports with each report card |
| Dec 15, Year 2 | Annual review, held 3 weeks early before winter break | Next due by Dec 14, Year 3 |
| Dec 10, Year 3 | Annual review | Next due by Dec 9, Year 4 |
| Sept, Year 4 | Case manager starts planning the reevaluation | Review of existing data in September leaves time for testing |
| Nov 18, Year 4 | Reevaluation eligibility meeting | Next reevaluation due by Nov 17, Year 7 |
| Dec 2, Year 4 | Annual review | Next due by Dec 1, Year 5 |
Notice how the dates drift. The annual review moved earlier twice, and each time the next deadline moved with it. The reevaluation was finished early too, which reset its 3-year clock. Holding a meeting early is fine. Holding it late is a missed deadline.
Also notice the winter break. The 60-day evaluation clock in this example runs over Thanksgiving. In a state that counts school days, the due date would be later. In a state that counts calendar days, it would not move.
Count from the right start date
The most common timeline mistakes come from the wrong start date.
| Weak | Better |
|---|---|
| Counting the 60 days from the referral | Counting from the date the district receives signed consent |
| Counting the reevaluation from the last IEP meeting | Counting from the last eligibility decision |
| Setting the annual review for the same date next year | Setting it at least a day before the anniversary, and earlier to allow for absences |
| Assuming calendar days | Checking whether your state counts calendar or school days |
| Starting reevaluation planning 2 weeks before the due date | Starting with a review of existing data 3 to 4 months ahead |
For reevaluations, the review of existing data may show that no new testing is needed, which shortens the work. See triennial reevaluation: new testing vs record review.
Exceptions to the evaluation timeline
The 60-day timeline does not apply in two federal situations: when the parent repeatedly fails or refuses to produce the child for the evaluation, and when the child moves to a new district after the timeline started, as long as the new district is making progress and agrees with the parent on a completion date.[1] The guide on the 60-day evaluation timeline explains how these play out.
Tools for tracking every date
- The IEP due date calculator gives the annual review and reevaluation dates from a meeting or eligibility date.
- The caseload tracker keeps those dates for every student in one view.
- The IEP due date tracker template is a fill-in version for a spreadsheet.
- The IEP case manager checklist lists what to do at each point.
For parents
If you are a parent, two dates matter most: when your child's next annual review is due, and when the next reevaluation is due. Both should be on the current IEP or in the evaluation report. You can ask the case manager for them at any time. The guide on how often IEP meetings are held explains the meetings in plain language.
Federal rules set the floor. Your state can add steps or shorten timelines, and many do. Check your state's special education regulations or ask your district for its procedures.
Frequently asked questions
When does the 60-day evaluation timeline start?
It starts when the district receives the parent's signed consent to evaluate, not when the referral is made. Many states use a different number of days or count school days instead of calendar days.
Can an annual IEP review be held early?
Yes. The annual review must happen at least once every 12 months, so holding it early is fine. The next annual review is then due within 12 months of the new meeting date.
When is the 3-year reevaluation due?
At least 3 years after the last eligibility decision. The parent and district can agree that a reevaluation is not needed. A reevaluation cannot happen more than once a year unless both agree.
Use it in IEP Atlas
- IEP due date calculator
- Caseload tracker
- Evaluation in the IEP glossary
- Reevaluation in the IEP glossary
- Annual review in the IEP glossary
Related guides
- The IEP case manager's handbook: responsibilities, calendar and tools
- IEP due date tracker
- IEP case manager checklist for the school year
- Special education evaluation timelines: the 60-day rule and state differences
- Triennial reevaluation: new testing vs record review
- Special education program evaluation: a review rubric template
- What goes in a special education teacher binder
Sources
- 34 CFR §300.301: Initial evaluations, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
- 34 CFR §300.323: When IEPs must be in effect, U.S. Department of Education (IDEA website)
- 34 CFR §300.324: Development, review, and revision of IEP, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
- 34 CFR §300.303: Reevaluations, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
- 34 CFR §300.320: Definition of individualized education program, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
- 34 CFR §300.124: Transition of children from the Part C program to preschool programs, U.S. Department of Education (IDEA website)
- 34 CFR §300.152: Minimum State complaint procedures, U.S. Department of Education (IDEA website)
- 34 CFR §300.530: Authority of school personnel, U.S. Department of Education (IDEA website)
- 34 CFR §300.613: Access rights, U.S. Department of Education (IDEA website)
Written and checked by the IEP Atlas editorial team under our editorial policy. This guide describes general practice and federal rules. It is not legal advice; your state may add requirements, and the IEP team makes the decisions for each student.