IEP Eligibility in Indiana: Who Qualifies?
What qualifies a child for an IEP in Indiana?
Indiana special education eligibility is determined by the student's Case Conference Committee (CCC) based on the multidisciplinary educational evaluation report under 511 IAC 7-40-6. A student ages 3 through the school year in which they turn 22 is eligible when: (1) the student has one or more of the 13 qualifying disability categories defined in 511 IAC 7-41; (2) the disability adversely affects educational or functional performance; and (3) the student needs special education and related services. Eligibility cannot be determined if the primary factors are limited English proficiency, lack of appropriate instruction in reading or math, linguistic or cultural background, socioeconomic status, or environmental factors (511 IAC 7-40-6). For Specific Learning Disability, Indiana prohibits the severe discrepancy model; RTI (Tiered Instructional Support System / TISS) or pattern of strengths and weaknesses must be used (511 IAC 7-41-12). For Cognitive Disability, three severity levels are recognized — Mild (~2 SD below mean), Moderate (~3 SD below mean), and Severe (4+ SD below mean) — with adaptive behavior deficits required at each level (511 IAC 7-41-3). Developmental Delay is available only for students ages 3 through 8 (511 IAC 7-41-6). The CCC makes the final eligibility determination; no single team member may make this determination alone.
What Indiana Requires
Eligibility requires: (1) a qualifying disability under 511 IAC 7-41; (2) adverse effect on educational or functional performance; and (3) need for special education and related services (511 IAC 7-40-6).
Eligibility cannot be based primarily on limited English proficiency, lack of instruction in reading or math, linguistic/cultural background, socioeconomic status, or environmental factors (511 IAC 7-40-6).
Indiana prohibits the severe discrepancy model for SLD identification; RTI (TISS) or pattern of strengths and weaknesses must be used (511 IAC 7-41-12).
Cognitive Disability has three severity levels — Mild, Moderate, and Severe — each requiring both intellectual functioning deficits and adaptive behavior deficits assessed in multiple environments (511 IAC 7-41-3).
Developmental Delay is available only for students ages 3 through 8, requiring 2 SD below mean in one domain or 1.5 SD in two domains (511 IAC 7-41-6).
The CCC makes the final eligibility determination based on the multidisciplinary evaluation report; no single team member can make the eligibility determination alone (511 IAC 7-40-6).
Key Timelines
Initial evaluation and CCC eligibility determination must be completed within 50 calendar days of receiving written parental consent (511 IAC 7-40-4(a)).
Reevaluation to reestablish eligibility under the current category: completed no later than the next annual CCC meeting (511 IAC 7-40-8).
Reevaluation for a new or additional disability category: within 50 calendar days from parent consent (511 IAC 7-40-4(a); 511 IAC 7-40-8).
Triennial reevaluation must occur at least every three years unless parent and public agency agree it is unnecessary (511 IAC 7-40-8; 34 CFR 300.303).