IEP Evaluation Process in Washington
How long does Washington have to complete an IEP evaluation?
Washington's evaluation procedures are governed by WAC 392-172A-03005, 03015, 03020, and 03035. The most significant Washington-specific provision is the 35 school-day evaluation timeline: upon receiving written parental consent, the district must complete the evaluation within 35 school days (WAC 392-172A-03005). This is stricter than the federal 60-calendar-day standard. The district must make a referral decision (whether to evaluate) within 25 school days of receiving a referral request (WAC 392-172A-03005). Evaluations must be comprehensive and multifaceted, covering all areas related to the suspected disability: health, vision, hearing, social/emotional status, general intelligence, academic performance, communication, and motor abilities (WAC 392-172A-03020). Assessments must be linguistically appropriate, technically sound, non-discriminatory, and no single measure may be the sole eligibility criterion. The evaluation report must be written and provided to parents (WAC 392-172A-03035). The parent and district may mutually agree in writing to alternative timelines (WAC 392-172A-03005). Reevaluations must also be completed within 35 school days and occur at least every three years (WAC 392-172A-03015). Following the eligibility determination, the IEP must be in effect within 30 calendar days under WAC 392-172A-03100.
What Washington Requires
The district must complete the evaluation within 35 school days of receiving written parental consent — stricter than the federal 60-calendar-day standard (WAC 392-172A-03005).
The district must decide whether to evaluate within 25 school days of a referral request (WAC 392-172A-03005).
Evaluations must be comprehensive, covering all areas related to the suspected disability: health, vision, hearing, social/emotional status, intelligence, academic performance, communication, and motor abilities (WAC 392-172A-03020(2)).
Assessments must be linguistically appropriate, technically sound, non-discriminatory on racial/cultural grounds, and no single measure may be the sole eligibility criterion (WAC 392-172A-03020).
A written evaluation report must be prepared and provided to parents (WAC 392-172A-03035).
The parent and district may mutually agree in writing to alternative evaluation completion dates (WAC 392-172A-03005).
Key Timelines
Referral decision (whether to evaluate): within 25 school days of receiving the referral (WAC 392-172A-03005).
Initial evaluation completion: within 35 school days of written parental consent (WAC 392-172A-03005).
Reevaluation: within 35 school days of parental consent; at least every 3 years; no more than once per year unless agreed (WAC 392-172A-03015).
IEP in effect: within 30 calendar days of the eligibility determination (WAC 392-172A-03100).
The 35-day timeline does not apply when parents repeatedly fail or refuse to produce the student for evaluation (WAC 392-172A-03005).
Parent and district may agree in writing to an alternative timeline (WAC 392-172A-03005).
Sources
Related IEP Guides
How to Request an IEP Evaluation (Step by Step)
Learn how to request a special education evaluation for your child. Sample letter, timelines, what happens after you ask, and what to do if the school says no.
The IEP Triennial Reevaluation: What to Expect and How to Use It
Learn what happens at your child's 3-year reevaluation, what is tested, how to request one early, and how to use the results to strengthen your child's IEP.
Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE): Your Right to a Second Opinion
Learn what an IEE is, how to request one at public expense, what the school can and cannot do, and how to use IEE results in your child's IEP.