IEP Timelines in Vermont
What are the IEP timelines in Vermont?
Vermont has specific statutory and regulatory timeline requirements for special education that differ in important ways from the federal baseline. The 15-calendar-day referral response timeline is Vermont-specific: within 15 calendar days of receiving a referral for evaluation, the LEA must request parental consent, convene an EPT meeting, or provide written reasons for denial (Rule 2362.2.1). The evaluation completion timeline is 60 calendar days from written parental consent — Vermont uses calendar days rather than the federal school-days standard (Rule 2362.2.1). The IEP must be developed within 30 calendar days of the eligibility determination (Rule 2363.1). IEPs must be reviewed at least annually (Rule 2363.6). Transition planning is formally required beginning at age 16; Vermont encourages earlier planning at age 14 (Rule 2363.7(i)). FAPE continues through age 21 (until the student's 22nd birthday); if a student turns 22 within 3 months of graduation, the LEA may apply for a waiver to the Secretary of Education (Rule 2360.2; 16 V.S.A. § 2942). Rights transfer to the student at age 18 (Rule 2365.1.12). Administrative complaint investigations must be completed within 60 calendar days (Rule 2365.1.5). Due process hearing decisions must be issued within 45 days after the 30-day resolution period (34 CFR 300.515). Restraint and seclusion parental notification must occur by end of school day (verbal/electronic) with written report within 24 hours (Rule 4500, Section 4503.2). The non-filing party in a due process complaint must respond within 10 calendar days (Rule 2365.1.6).
What Vermont Requires
15 calendar days: LEA response to referral for evaluation — request consent, convene EPT, or provide written denial (Rule 2362.2.1).
60 calendar days: Evaluation completion from written parental consent — Vermont uses calendar days, not school days (Rule 2362.2.1).
30 calendar days: IEP development from eligibility determination (Rule 2363.1).
Annual: IEP review at least once per year (Rule 2363.6).
Every 3 years: Triennial reevaluation (Rule 2362.2.8; 34 CFR 300.303).
Age 16: Transition planning required on IEP; age 14 encouraged (Rule 2363.7(i)).
Age 18: Transfer of rights to student (Rule 2365.1.12).
Age 21 (22nd birthday): FAPE eligibility ends; waiver available within 3 months of graduation (Rule 2360.2; 16 V.S.A. § 2942).
10 calendar days: Non-filing party response to due process complaint (Rule 2365.1.6; 34 CFR 300.508(f)).
60 calendar days: Administrative complaint investigation (Rule 2365.1.5; 34 CFR 300.152).
10 school days: Manifestation determination review after disciplinary change of placement (34 CFR 300.530(e)).
Key Timelines
15 calendar days: LEA response to referral for evaluation (Rule 2362.2.1).
60 calendar days: Evaluation completion from parental consent (Rule 2362.2.1).
30 calendar days: IEP development from eligibility determination (Rule 2363.1).
Annual: IEP review and update (Rule 2363.6).
Every 3 years: Triennial reevaluation (Rule 2362.2.8).
Age 16: Transition planning required on IEP; age 14 encouraged (Rule 2363.7(i)).
Age 18: Transfer of rights to student (Rule 2365.1.12).
Age 21 (22nd birthday): FAPE eligibility ends; waiver within 3 months of graduation (Rule 2360.2).
End of school day: Restraint/seclusion verbal/electronic parental notification (Rule 4500, Section 4503.2(a)).
24 hours: Restraint/seclusion written incident report to parents (Rule 4500, Section 4503.2(b)).
60 calendar days: Administrative complaint investigation (Rule 2365.1.5).
10 calendar days: Non-filing party response to due process complaint (Rule 2365.1.6).
10 school days: Manifestation determination review (34 CFR 300.530(e)).
Sources
Related IEP Guides
The IEP Triennial Reevaluation: What to Expect and How to Use It
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The Annual IEP Review: What Happens and How to Prepare
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Your IEP Rights: What Schools Must Do
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