IEP Evaluation Process in Kentucky
How long does Kentucky have to complete an IEP evaluation?
Kentucky's evaluation procedures are governed by 707 KAR 1:300. The initial evaluation timeline is 60 school days from receipt of parental consent — meaning weekends, holidays, and school breaks do not count toward the timeline, which can make Kentucky's effective timeline substantially longer than 60 calendar days. A full and individual evaluation must be conducted before providing specially designed instruction or related services, and results must be used by the ARC in developing the IEP (707 KAR 1:300, Section 4). Evaluation materials must not be discriminatory on a racial or cultural basis and must be administered in the child's native language (707 KAR 1:300, Section 4(2)). The evaluation must use a variety of assessment tools and strategies covering all areas of the suspected disability — health, vision, hearing, social-emotional status, intelligence, academic performance, communication, and motor abilities — and no single procedure may be the sole criterion (707 KAR 1:300, Section 4(9)-(10)). Pre-referral interventions with data-based documentation of repeated assessments communicated to parents must precede referral (707 KAR 1:300, Section 3). Reevaluation must occur at least every three years; it may not occur more than once per year unless parent and LEA agree (707 KAR 1:300, Section 4(18)-(19)). When a student exits through graduation or aging out, the LEA must provide an exit summary of academic achievement and functional performance with recommendations to support postsecondary goals (707 KAR 1:300, Section 4(21)). Parents have the right to an independent educational evaluation (IEE) at public expense if they disagree with the LEA's evaluation (707 KAR 1:340, Section 2).
What Kentucky Requires
Initial evaluation must be completed within 60 school days of receiving parental consent — school days, not calendar days; breaks and holidays are excluded (707 KAR 1:320, Section 2; confirmed by KY-SPIN guidance).
A full individual evaluation covering all areas of suspected disability must be conducted before any specially designed instruction is provided (707 KAR 1:300, Section 4).
Assessment tools must be non-discriminatory, administered in the child's native language, validated for their purpose, and administered by trained personnel (707 KAR 1:300, Section 4(2)-(3)).
The evaluation must be comprehensive, covering health, vision, hearing, social-emotional, intelligence, academics, communication, and motor abilities; no single procedure may be the sole criterion (707 KAR 1:300, Section 4(9)-(10)).
Pre-referral interventions with documented, repeated assessments shared with parents must precede referral when adequate progress has not been made (707 KAR 1:300, Section 3).
Reevaluation must occur at least every three years; cannot occur more than once per year unless agreed by parent and LEA (707 KAR 1:300, Section 4(18)-(19)).
Upon graduation or aging out, the LEA must provide an exit summary of academic achievement, functional performance, and postsecondary recommendations (707 KAR 1:300, Section 4(21)).
Parents have the right to one publicly funded IEE per LEA evaluation they disagree with (707 KAR 1:340, Section 2).
Key Timelines
Initial evaluation must be completed within 60 school days of parental consent (707 KAR 1:320, Section 2; 707 KAR 1:300).
The ARC must convene for eligibility determination after evaluation, and if eligible, the IEP meeting must occur within 30 days of eligibility determination (707 KAR 1:320, Section 2).
Reevaluation must occur at least every three years; consent required unless LEA made reasonable efforts and parent did not respond (707 KAR 1:300, Section 4(18); 707 KAR 1:340, Section 6(6)).
Surrogate parents must be appointed within 30 days of determination that a child needs one (707 KAR 1:340, Section 7(9)).
Sources
Related IEP Guides
How to Request an IEP Evaluation (Step by Step)
Learn how to request a special education evaluation for your child. Sample letter, timelines, what happens after you ask, and what to do if the school says no.
The IEP Triennial Reevaluation: What to Expect and How to Use It
Learn what happens at your child's 3-year reevaluation, what is tested, how to request one early, and how to use the results to strengthen your child's IEP.
Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE): Your Right to a Second Opinion
Learn what an IEE is, how to request one at public expense, what the school can and cannot do, and how to use IEE results in your child's IEP.