IEP Evaluation Process in Illinois
How long does Illinois have to complete an IEP evaluation?
Illinois evaluation procedures are governed by 105 ILCS 5/14-8.02 and 23 IAC 226.110 and 34 CFR 300.303. Any concerned person — including parents, school personnel, community agencies, or state employees — may refer a child suspected of having a disability for evaluation (23 IAC 226.100). Within 14 school days of receiving a referral, the district must determine whether an evaluation is warranted and, if so, issue a domain review proposing which areas to assess (23 IAC 226.110(a)). Before the case study evaluation begins, the district must determine the child's primary home language, cultural identification, and mode of communication (105 ILCS 5/14-8.02(b)). All assessments must be selected and administered so as not to be racially, culturally, linguistically, or sexually discriminatory, and must be provided in the child's native language or mode of communication (23 IAC 226.110(b); 34 CFR 300.304). The 60-school-day timeline begins when the parent signs the domain review form consenting to the proposed assessments (23 IAC 226.110(d)). If fewer than 60 school days remain in the school year, the eligibility determination and IEP must be completed before the first day of the following school year. Evaluations must use technically sound instruments validated for their intended purpose, administered by trained and knowledgeable personnel according to publisher instructions (23 IAC 226.110(c)). Nonstandard administration conditions must be documented. The evaluation must assess all areas related to the suspected disability, including cognitive, behavioral, physical, and developmental factors (23 IAC 226.110(e)). Reevaluations must occur at least every three years (triennial) but not more than once per year unless the parent and district agree otherwise (34 CFR 300.303). Additional procedures apply for students suspected of having a specific learning disability (23 IAC 226.130) or intellectual disability (23 IAC 226.135).
What Illinois Requires
Any concerned person may refer a child for evaluation, including parents, teachers, community agencies, or state employees (23 IAC 226.100)
District must determine within 14 school days of referral whether evaluation is warranted (23 IAC 226.110(a))
Domain review must identify assessment areas; parental consent on the domain review form starts the 60-school-day clock (23 IAC 226.110(d))
Assessments must be nondiscriminatory — racially, culturally, linguistically, and sexually — and administered in the child's native language (23 IAC 226.110(b); 34 CFR 300.304)
Tests must be technically sound, validated for intended purpose, and administered per publisher instructions by qualified personnel (23 IAC 226.110(c))
Evaluation must assess all areas related to the suspected disability (23 IAC 226.110(e))
Reevaluation at least every 3 years (triennial), not more than once annually unless parent and district agree (34 CFR 300.303)
Additional procedures required for SLD (23 IAC 226.130) and intellectual disability (23 IAC 226.135)
Key Timelines
14 school days from referral for district to determine whether evaluation is warranted (23 IAC 226.110(a))
60 school days from parental consent on domain review to eligibility determination and IEP completion (105 ILCS 5/14-8.02(b); 23 IAC 226.110(d))
If fewer than 60 school days remain, eligibility and IEP must be completed before the first day of the next school year (23 IAC 226.110(d))
Reevaluation at least every 3 years (34 CFR 300.303)