IEP Eligibility in Connecticut: Who Qualifies?
What qualifies a child for an IEP in Connecticut?
Connecticut's special education eligibility criteria are governed by Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76a(a) and Conn. Agencies Regs. § 10-76a-1 through § 10-76a-3. A student is eligible for special education when the Planning and Placement Team (PPT) determines: (1) the student has a qualifying disability under one of the 13 IDEA categories as defined in Connecticut regulations; (2) the disability adversely affects educational performance; and (3) the student requires special education and related services. Connecticut evaluation timelines are state-specific: under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76d(b)(2), the evaluation must be completed within 45 school days from referral, exclusive of time to obtain parental consent (RCSA § 10-76d-13) — this is a key difference from the federal standard and many other states. This 45-school-day timeline is one of Connecticut's most important state-specific requirements. Eligibility cannot be based on lack of appropriate instruction in reading or math, or on limited English proficiency. For SLD, Connecticut prohibits the IQ-achievement discrepancy model and requires Scientific Research-Based Interventions (SRBI) as the sole pathway for SLD identification (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 10-76a-2).
What Connecticut Requires
Eligibility requires: (1) a qualifying disability under Connecticut's 13 disability categories, (2) adverse effect on educational performance, and (3) need for special education and related services (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 10-76a-1; Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76a(a)).
CRITICAL — CT-specific: Connecticut's evaluation timeline is 45 school days from referral, exclusive of time to obtain parental consent — this differs from the federal standard and many other states (RCSA § 10-76d-13).
A student cannot be found eligible if the determinant factor is lack of appropriate instruction in reading (including essential reading components), lack of math instruction, or limited English proficiency (34 CFR 300.306(b)).
For SLD, Connecticut prohibits the discrepancy model and requires SRBI (Scientific Research-Based Interventions) only (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 10-76a-2).
Evaluation must use a variety of assessment tools and strategies; no single measure may serve as the sole eligibility criterion (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 10-76d-10; 34 CFR 300.304).
The PPT (IEP team) makes all eligibility determinations; parents are full members of the PPT (Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76d; 34 CFR 300.306).
Key Timelines
CRITICAL — CT-specific: evaluation must be completed within 45 school days from referral, exclusive of time to obtain parental consent (RCSA § 10-76d-13).
Reevaluation must occur at least every three years, or sooner when conditions warrant or parents/teachers request it (Conn. Agencies Regs. § 10-76d-10; 34 CFR 300.303).
Initial IEP must be developed within 30 days of eligibility determination (34 CFR 300.323(c)).