IEP Timelines in Michigan
What are the IEP timelines in Michigan?
Michigan has several key timelines for special education that differ from or supplement federal IDEA requirements. The most critical Michigan-specific timeline is the 30-school-day evaluation requirement: from receipt of parental consent, the MET evaluation must be completed AND the IEPT must meet to determine eligibility and develop the IEP within 30 school days (R 340.1721b(1)) — significantly more stringent than the federal 60-calendar-day default. Within 10 school days of receiving a written evaluation request, the district must provide written notice and request consent (R 340.1721b). Other key Michigan-specific timelines: MDE guidance requires district action on IEE requests within 7 calendar days (R 340.1723c, MDE interpretation). Michigan's FAPE age extends to 25 as of September 1 (R 340.1702; MCL 380.1701(1)) — well beyond federal age 21. For restraint/seclusion, same-day notification to parents and written report within 1 school day or 7 calendar days (MCL 380.1307d). Rights transfer to students at age 18 with 1-year advance notice (R 340.1721h). Federal timelines that also apply in Michigan: annual IEP review, 3-year reevaluation, 10-day MDR window, 60-day state complaint resolution, 2-year due process statute of limitations, 15-day resolution session, 30-day resolution period, 45-day hearing decision, 10-day IAES placement authority.
What Michigan Requires
30 school days from parental consent to completed evaluation (MET) AND IEP meeting — Michigan's strictest and most important timeline, stricter than federal 60-calendar-day default (R 340.1721b(1)).
10 school days from written evaluation request to district's written notice to parent and request for consent — Michigan-specific (R 340.1721b).
7 calendar days for district to respond to IEE request — fund the IEE or file for due process (MDE guidance; R 340.1723c).
Same-day parent notification + written report within 1 school day/7 calendar days for each use of restraint or seclusion (MCL 380.1307d).
FAPE through age 25 as of September 1 — federal maximum is age 21 (R 340.1702; MCL 380.1701(1)).
Rights transfer to student at age 18 — district must provide advance notice to both parent and student at age 17 (R 340.1721h; 34 CFR 300.520).
Key Timelines
10 school days: district must respond to written evaluation request with notice and consent form (R 340.1721b).
30 school days from parental consent: MET evaluation complete AND IEPT meeting held (R 340.1721b(1)).
7 calendar days: district must respond to IEE request — fund or file for due process (MDE guidance; R 340.1723c).
Same school day: parent notification of restraint/seclusion use (MCL 380.1307d).
1 school day or 7 calendar days (earlier of): written restraint/seclusion report to parent (MCL 380.1307d).
Annually: IEP review and revision (34 CFR 300.324(b)).
Every 3 years: reevaluation unless parent and district agree it is unnecessary (34 CFR 300.303).
10 school days: MDR must be held after decision to change placement due to discipline (34 CFR 300.530(e)).
10 school days: services must continue during removals exceeding 10 cumulative school days (34 CFR 300.530(d)).
15 calendar days: resolution session after district receives due process complaint (34 CFR 300.510(a)).
30 calendar days: resolution period before 45-day hearing timeline begins (34 CFR 300.510(b)).
45 calendar days: hearing officer decision after resolution period expires (34 CFR 300.515(a)).
60 calendar days: MDE state complaint resolution deadline (34 CFR 300.152(a)).
2 years: statute of limitations for due process complaints (34 CFR 300.507(a)(2)).