IEP Evaluation Process in Arizona
How long does Arizona have to complete an IEP evaluation?
Arizona requires that initial evaluations of children suspected of having a disability be completed within 60 calendar days of receiving parental written consent to evaluate (A.R.S. § 15-766(B); A.A.C. R7-2-401(C)(1)), consistent with the federal IDEA default timeline (34 CFR 300.301(c)(1)). The evaluation must use a variety of technically sound assessment tools and strategies — gathering functional, developmental, and academic information — and no single measure may be the sole basis for an eligibility determination (34 CFR 300.304(b)(2); per federal baseline applied in AZ). The evaluation must be conducted by a multidisciplinary team that collectively addresses all areas related to the suspected disability. Parents must provide written consent before an initial evaluation; refusal to consent does not jeopardize any other educational services the child receives (A.R.S. § 15-766(A); 34 CFR 300.300(b)). Under A.R.S. § 15-766(C), evaluation components may be shared among state agencies when appropriate to expedite the process. Reevaluation must occur at least every three years unless the parent and district agree it is unnecessary, and may not occur more than once per year unless both agree (A.R.S. § 15-766). Parents have the right to request a reevaluation and the right to an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) if they disagree with the district's evaluation (34 CFR 300.502; per federal baseline applied in AZ). ADE-ESS provides evaluation guidelines and approved assessment tools through its ESS guidance documents.
What Arizona Requires
Initial evaluation must be completed within 60 calendar days of receiving parental written consent to evaluate (A.R.S. § 15-766(B); A.A.C. R7-2-401(C)(1)).
The evaluation must use a variety of technically sound assessment tools; no single measure may be the sole basis for an eligibility determination (34 CFR 300.304(b)(2); per federal baseline applied in AZ).
The evaluation must be conducted by a multidisciplinary team addressing all areas related to the suspected disability, including educational, functional, and developmental domains (34 CFR 300.304(b); per federal baseline applied in AZ).
Parental written consent is required before an initial evaluation; refusal to consent does not affect the right to other services (A.R.S. § 15-766(A); 34 CFR 300.300(b)).
Evaluation components may be shared among state agencies to expedite the process when appropriate (A.R.S. § 15-766(C)).
Key Timelines
Initial evaluation must be completed within 60 calendar days of parental written consent (A.R.S. § 15-766(B); A.A.C. R7-2-401(C)(1)).
Reevaluation must occur at least every three years (triennial), unless the parent and district agree it is unnecessary (A.R.S. § 15-766; 34 CFR 300.303(b)(2)).
Reevaluation may not occur more than once per year unless the parent and district mutually agree (A.R.S. § 15-766; 34 CFR 300.303(b)(1)).
For preschool children, school districts may admit a child within 90 days prior to the child's third birthday if deemed appropriate (A.R.S. § 15-771(C)).