IEP Service Delivery in Missouri
How are IEP services delivered in Missouri?
In Missouri, the school district serves as the local education agency (LEA) responsible for delivering all special education services specified in the IEP (RSMo 162.670). If a district cannot provide services, it must contract with nearby districts or public agencies (RSMo 162.705); if it fails to do so, the state board of education may contract on its behalf and charge costs to the district of residence. Missouri has a unique entity — the Special School District (SSD) of St. Louis County — which is a separate, tax-supported special education agency serving approximately 23,000 students across 22 school districts in St. Louis County. Districts may also form special education cooperatives to pool resources. Service delivery must occur in the least restrictive environment, with a continuum of alternative placements available including regular classes, special classes, special schools, home instruction, and hospital/institutional settings (34 CFR 300.115). FAPE is provided to eligible children ages 3 through 21 (RSMo 162.675). Missouri's First Steps program provides early intervention services (Part C) for children birth through age 2, with transition to Part B special education services occurring at age 3. Children transitioning from First Steps must have an IEP in place by their third birthday if referred to First Steps more than 90 days prior to that date. Special education personnel must hold Missouri certification with appropriate special education endorsements.
What Missouri Requires
The school district (LEA) is responsible for providing all special education and related services specified in the IEP at no cost to the family (RSMo 162.670; 34 CFR 300.17).
If a district cannot provide services, it must contract with a nearby district, public agency, or private provider; the state board may intervene and contract if the district fails to do so (RSMo 162.705).
The Special School District of St. Louis County is a unique regional special education agency funded by its own tax base, providing services across 22 school districts (RSMo 162.670 et seq.).
First Steps early intervention services (Part C) transition to Part B special education at age 3; the IEP must be in place by the child's third birthday if referred to First Steps more than 90 days before that date (Missouri State Plan; 34 CFR 300.124).
A continuum of alternative placements must be available, including regular classes, special classes, special schools, home instruction, and hospital/institutional settings (34 CFR 300.115).
FAPE is provided to eligible children ages 3 through 21; eligibility ends for students who reach age 21 or graduate with a regular high school diploma (RSMo 162.675; 34 CFR 300.102).
Special education personnel must hold Missouri certification with appropriate special education endorsements as required by DESE (5 CSR 20-400.560).
Key Timelines
Services must begin on the start date specified in the IEP (34 CFR 300.323(a)).
Children transitioning from First Steps must have an IEP in place by their third birthday (34 CFR 300.124).
For in-state transfer students, the receiving district must provide comparable services without delay and develop a new IEP if needed (34 CFR 300.323(e)).