IEP Evaluation Process in Missouri
How long does Missouri have to complete an IEP evaluation?
Missouri's evaluation procedures are governed by the Missouri State Plan for Special Education, Regulation III: Identification and Evaluation, RSMo 162.700, and federal requirements at 34 CFR 300.301–300.311. Before an evaluation can occur, the school district must provide prior written notice (Notice of Action) and obtain informed written parental consent. Missouri requires that the initial evaluation be completed within 60 calendar days of receiving written parental consent — this timeline uses calendar days, not school days. The 60-day timeline may be extended for reasons such as excessive student absences, snow days, or school breaks (summer, winter). The evaluation must use a variety of assessment tools and strategies; no single measure may serve as the sole criterion. Missouri requires districts to obtain current appropriate diagnostic reports for each child with disabilities prior to assignment in a special program (RSMo 162.700). Evaluation must be nondiscriminatory, conducted in the child's native language, and assess all areas of suspected disability. The district has 30 days from the date of a parent's initial referral to provide a Prior Written Notice and Procedural Safeguards. Procedural Safeguards must be provided within 5 school days of the date of referral.
What Missouri Requires
Initial evaluation must be completed within 60 calendar days of parental consent — Missouri uses calendar days, not school days (Missouri State Plan, Regulation III; 34 CFR 300.301(c)).
The 60-day evaluation timeline may be extended for excessive student absences, snow days, or school breaks (summer, winter) (Missouri DESE compliance guidance).
The school district must obtain current appropriate diagnostic reports for each child with disabilities prior to assignment in a special program (RSMo 162.700).
Prior Written Notice (Notice of Action) must be provided within 30 days of a parent's initial referral for suspected disability (Missouri DESE compliance guidance).
Procedural Safeguards must be provided to parents within 5 school days of the date of referral (Missouri DESE compliance guidance).
Evaluation must use a variety of assessment tools; no single measure may be the sole criterion for determining eligibility (34 CFR 300.304(b)).
Evaluation must be nondiscriminatory, conducted in the child's native language or mode of communication, and assess all areas of suspected disability (34 CFR 300.304(c)).
Key Timelines
Prior Written Notice must be provided within 30 days of parent's initial referral (Missouri DESE compliance guidance).
Procedural Safeguards must be provided within 5 school days of referral (Missouri DESE compliance guidance).
Initial evaluation must be completed within 60 calendar days of parental consent (Missouri State Plan, Regulation III; 34 CFR 300.301(c)).
IEP must be developed within 30 calendar days of eligibility determination (34 CFR 300.323(c)(1)).
Triennial reevaluation at least every three years (34 CFR 300.303).