IEP Timelines in Missouri
What are the IEP timelines in Missouri?
Missouri has several important timeline requirements for special education, some of which are state-specific additions to the federal baseline. The initial evaluation must be completed within 60 calendar days of parental consent (Missouri State Plan, Regulation III), with possible extensions for excessive student absences, snow days, or school breaks. Within 30 days of a parent's initial referral for suspected disability, the district must provide Prior Written Notice (Notice of Action). Procedural Safeguards must be provided within 5 school days of referral. After eligibility is determined, the IEP must be developed within 30 calendar days. IEP implementation must begin within 10 calendar days of the Notice of Action being sent. Parents must receive an IEP copy within 20 calendar days of the meeting. Annual IEP reviews must occur at least once per year. Transition planning begins at age 16. Rights-transfer notification begins at age 17 (one year before age 18 majority). FAPE extends to age 21. For dispute resolution: child complaints resolved within 60 calendar days; mediation completed within 30 days of agreement to mediate; due process resolution session within 15 days, resolution period 30 days, decision within 45 days after. The AHC must assign a commissioner within 15 days. Seclusion/restraint parental notification must occur within 1 hour after the school day ends.
What Missouri Requires
Initial evaluation: 60 calendar days from parental consent — calendar days, not school days; may be extended for student absences, snow days, or school breaks (Missouri State Plan, Regulation III; 34 CFR 300.301(c)).
Prior Written Notice (Notice of Action): within 30 days of parent's initial referral for suspected disability (Missouri DESE compliance guidance).
Procedural Safeguards: within 5 school days of the date of referral (Missouri DESE compliance guidance).
IEP development: within 30 calendar days of eligibility determination (34 CFR 300.323(c)(1)).
IEP implementation: within 10 calendar days of Notice of Action being sent (Missouri DESE compliance guidance).
IEP copy to parents: within 20 calendar days of the IEP meeting (Missouri DESE compliance guidance).
Annual IEP review: at least annually (34 CFR 300.324(b)).
Key Timelines
Prior Written Notice: 30 days from parent's referral (Missouri DESE compliance guidance).
Procedural Safeguards: 5 school days from referral (Missouri DESE compliance guidance).
Initial evaluation: 60 calendar days from parental consent (Missouri State Plan, Regulation III).
IEP development: 30 calendar days after eligibility determination (34 CFR 300.323(c)(1)).
IEP implementation: 10 calendar days after Notice of Action (Missouri DESE compliance guidance).
IEP copy to parents: 20 calendar days from IEP meeting (Missouri DESE compliance guidance).
Annual IEP review: at least annually (34 CFR 300.324(b)).
Triennial reevaluation: at least every 3 years (34 CFR 300.303).
Transition planning: begins at age 16 (34 CFR 300.320(b)).
Rights-transfer notification: begins at age 17 (34 CFR 300.320(c)).
Child complaint resolution: 60 calendar days (34 CFR 300.152(a)).
Mediation: begins within 15 days; completed within 30 days of agreement (Missouri DESE).
Due process: resolution session 15 days, resolution period 30 days, decision 45 days after (34 CFR 300.510, 300.515).
AHC commissioner assignment: 15 days (RSMo 162.961).
Seclusion/restraint parent notification: within 1 hour after school day ends (RSMo 160.263).
Seclusion/restraint written report to parents: 5 school days (RSMo 160.263).
Seclusion/restraint report to DESE: 30 days (RSMo 160.263).