IEP Evaluation Process in Indiana
How long does Indiana have to complete an IEP evaluation?
Indiana's educational evaluation procedures are governed by 511 IAC 7-40. An initial evaluation requires written parental consent (the Indiana-specific 'Consent to Initial Evaluation' form), after which the public agency must conduct the evaluation and convene the Case Conference Committee (CCC) within 50 calendar days (511 IAC 7-40-4(a)). This is stricter than the federal IDEA 60-calendar-day default and means Indiana's evaluation clock runs on calendar days, not school days. The evaluation must be conducted by a multidisciplinary team whose composition varies by suspected disability: at minimum, two qualified professionals from different disciplines for Developmental Delay; a speech-language pathologist for language impairment; a general education teacher and school psychologist for SLD; and appropriate specialists for other categories (511 IAC 7-40-5). The evaluation must address all areas of suspected disability and include review of existing data, parent-provided evaluations, current assessment, and systematic observation. Written parental notice must be provided within 10 instructional days of receiving a parent's written evaluation request (511 IAC 7-40-4). Reevaluation must occur at least every three years; if the purpose is to reestablish eligibility under the current category, it must be completed by the next annual CCC meeting; if it is to consider a new category, the 50-calendar-day timeline applies (511 IAC 7-40-8). The CCC convenes after the evaluation to review the educational evaluation report and determine eligibility.
What Indiana Requires
Initial evaluation must be completed and the CCC convened within 50 calendar days of receiving written parental consent — stricter than the federal 60-calendar-day baseline (511 IAC 7-40-4(a)).
Indiana requires a specific 'Consent to Initial Evaluation' form before beginning any initial evaluation; without signed parental consent, evaluation cannot proceed (511 IAC 7-40-4).
The evaluation must be conducted by a multidisciplinary team, with composition requirements varying by suspected disability category (511 IAC 7-40-5).
For SLD, the evaluation must include current academic achievement, classroom observation, social and developmental history, and analysis of intervention response data (TISS); the severe discrepancy model is prohibited (511 IAC 7-41-12).
The public agency must provide written notice within 10 instructional days of receiving a parent's written evaluation request (511 IAC 7-40-4).
Evaluations must be conducted in the student's native language and must use technically sound, valid, and reliable instruments (34 CFR 300.304).
Key Timelines
Initial evaluation and CCC meeting: within 50 calendar days of written parental consent (511 IAC 7-40-4(a)) — stricter than the federal 60-calendar-day standard.
Written notice of evaluation: within 10 instructional days of parent's written evaluation request (511 IAC 7-40-4).
Reevaluation to reestablish eligibility under current category: by the next annual CCC meeting (511 IAC 7-40-8).
Reevaluation for new/additional category: within 50 calendar days of parent consent (511 IAC 7-40-4(a); 511 IAC 7-40-8).
Triennial reevaluation: at least every three years unless parent and agency agree it is unnecessary (511 IAC 7-40-8; 34 CFR 300.303).