IEP Evaluation Process in Ohio
How long does Ohio have to complete an IEP evaluation?
Ohio's evaluation procedures for special education are governed by OAC 3301-51-06 and authorized by ORC 3323.03. The process begins when a parent or public agency makes a referral, after which the school district has 30 calendar days to either obtain parental consent for an initial evaluation or provide prior written notice that it will not evaluate (OAC 3301-51-06(B)(3)). Once parental consent is obtained, the district must complete the evaluation within 60 calendar days (OAC 3301-51-06(B)(4)(a)). This 60-day timeline does not apply if the parent repeatedly fails or refuses to produce the child for evaluation, or if the child enrolls in a different district before the evaluation is completed, provided the new district is making sufficient progress and the parent and new district agree to a timeline. The evaluation results are documented in the Evaluation Team Report (ETR), Ohio's required form (PR-06). The ETR must include: identification of the child's suspected disability; a review of existing data including classroom-based assessments, observations, and information provided by parents; assessments in all areas of suspected disability; a determination of whether the child has a disability, whether it adversely affects educational performance, and whether the child needs specially designed instruction (OAC 3301-51-06). Evaluations must use a variety of assessment tools, be technically sound, administered by trained and knowledgeable personnel, and must not be racially or culturally discriminatory (OAC 3301-51-06(B)(2)). Reevaluations must occur at least every three years (triennial) unless the parent and district agree that a reevaluation is unnecessary, and may not occur more than once per year unless the parent and district agree otherwise (OAC 3301-51-06(D)). A reevaluation must also be conducted if conditions warrant, if the parent or teacher requests one, or before determining that a child is no longer a child with a disability (OAC 3301-51-06(D)). For reevaluations, the team may review existing data and determine that no additional data are needed, but must still complete a new ETR documenting the review and eligibility determination.
What Ohio Requires
District must respond to evaluation referral within 30 calendar days with consent request or prior written notice of refusal (OAC 3301-51-06(B)(3))
Initial evaluation must be completed within 60 calendar days of obtaining parental consent (OAC 3301-51-06(B)(4)(a))
ETR (PR-06 form) must document: suspected disability, existing data review, assessments in all areas of suspected disability, and three-part eligibility determination (OAC 3301-51-06)
Assessments must be technically sound, nondiscriminatory, administered by trained personnel, and in the child's native language (OAC 3301-51-06(B)(2))
No single measure or assessment may be used as the sole criterion for eligibility (OAC 3301-51-06(B)(2))
Reevaluations required at least every three years unless parent and district agree unnecessary (OAC 3301-51-06(D))
Reevaluation must occur before determining a child is no longer a child with a disability (OAC 3301-51-06(D))
For reevaluations, team may determine no additional data needed but must still complete new ETR (OAC 3301-51-06(D))
Key Timelines
30 calendar days from referral receipt to obtain consent or issue prior written notice of refusal (OAC 3301-51-06(B)(3))
60 calendar days from parental consent to complete initial evaluation — this is Ohio's primary evaluation timeline (OAC 3301-51-04(D)(1); OAC 3301-51-06(B)(4)(a))
Reevaluation at least every 3 years (triennial) unless parent and district agree unnecessary (OAC 3301-51-06(D))
Reevaluation no more than once per year unless parent and district agree otherwise (OAC 3301-51-06(D))
IEP meeting must occur within 30 calendar days after eligibility is determined (OAC 3301-51-07(H)(1))