IEP Re-Evaluations: Timeline, Process, Checklist

I used to have IEP reevaluation information included in my post about IEP evaluations. But, I’ve since decided that IEP re-evaluations are worthy of their own separate article. Initial IEP evaluations are sort of their own beast, since that is what gets the IEP process started.

But, with IEP re-evaluations, parents have some perspective under their belt. You’ve been able to assess and try a few things over the course of a few years. Unless you had phenomenal initial IEP evaluations, your re-evaluation period is your chance to do much better for your child. And, the IDEA re-evaluation timeline is different.

Also, sometimes I say IEP reevaluation and sometimes IEP re-evaluation. That is because parents search for both terms. I have much more information on this site about IEP re-evaluations, so when you’re done here, come back and check out these articles.

• IEE Independent Education Evaluations
• How to Understand your Child’s IEP Assessments
• Can the school deny IEP evaluations?
• IEP Testing and Evaluations: What tests should I ask for?
• IEP Timeline: Flowchart Explaining Special Education Process including Evaluations
• When you should receive IEP Progress Reports
• IEP Re-Evaluations for Ages 18-21 (yes, still do them!)

When does a child get reevaluated for their IEP?

After the initial evaluation, your child should be re-evaluated every 3 years. PA says every 2 years for students with an intellectual disability. Other states may have different guidelines but generally, expect every 3 years.

Parents often ask me what IEP evaluations to request. And now since presumably your child has had an IEP for at least 3 years, you have a better understanding of them and they’re needs. While I don’t recommend asking for specific IEP assessments, you want to make sure that every area of need that your child has is addressed.

How Long does the School Have to do the IEP Re Evaluations?

This is the tricky part, because too many parents mistakenly assume that the rules for the initial IEP evaluation apply to re-evaluations. They do not. Once you request those initial (first) IEP assessments and sign a permission to evaluate form, the school has 60 days to complete those assessments.

That 60-day timeline is not defined in IDEA for re-evaluations. IDEA does not define a timeline for re-evaluations.

It is assumed that it will be done prior to a renewed IEP. If you are nearing that 3-year mark and your IEP meeting should be held in 90-120 days, I’d start asking about it. No harm in sending an email with your re-evaluation concerns.

Can I request more/different IEP evaluations before the reevaluation period?

You can request IEP evals any time, but the school can say no. Some reasons for requesting evaluations outside of the standard time frame are:

• period of extreme growth or regression, plateauing
• change in behaviors
• medical status changed
• whenever parent/teacher feels there is an area of need that is not being addressed or incorrectly addressed
• any time parent/teacher reviews the Present Levels section and realizes that is no longer accurate for this student

IEP Re-Evaluations Checklist

You can download and print this IEP special education re-evaluation checklist. It will help make sure that every area of disability has been considered.

Print and use this evaluations list when thinking about what your student needs.

That list of what areas to assess is one of the most popular and widely used resources on this site.

Can I refuse the IEP re-evaluation?

I’m finding more parents lately who want to refuse the re-evaluations. Their fear is that the team will find the child ineligible to continue an IEP. I understand the concern, but this is the wrong way to approach this.

And, the school can just pursue something called “consent override” in which they can do the IEP re-evals without your consent. If the child has an existing IEP in place, the school has a very good case to do the re-evaluations.

The better option is to participate in the process. Add your IEP Parent Concerns, areas of need that you see that are not previously identified and so on.

From IDEA:

(c) Parental consent for reevaluations.

(1) Subject to paragraph (c)(2) of this section, each public agency—

(i) Must obtain informed parental consent, in accordance with §300.300(a)(1), prior to conducting any reevaluation of a child with a disability.

(ii) If the parent refuses to consent to the reevaluation, the public agency may, but is not required to, pursue the reevaluation by using the consent override procedures described in paragraph (a)(3) of this section.

(iii) The public agency does not violate its obligation under §300.111 and §§300.301 through 300.311 if it declines to pursue the evaluation or reevaluation.

IEP Reevaluation Process

What happens during IEP re-evaluations?

First, you should receive another Permission to Evaluate form, so that the school can begin evaluating. You should be keeping your own notes and data so that the child is evaluated in all areas of suspected disability.

Almost 3 years have passed since the last evals, so you want to make this set of evaluations as meaningful as possible. Chances are, academic and social demands have changed. That can mean that new issues rise to the surface.

Once the school receives that form, they will begin evaluating your child.

You want to make sure that you have the baseline data from the original evaluations. You want to be able to compare apples to apples.

Review of Existing IEP Data for Evaluation Process

Sometimes schools want to do a “review of existing data” to compile the report. I would never agree to this as the only portion of the re-evaluation. This type of evaluation is known as a REED for ‘re evaluation of existing data.’ I know, another IEP acronym.

All this does is look at the IEP assessments that have already been done and put them in a new report. As a professional advocate, I don’t usually recommend this. While no single advocacy strategy is 100% used, all the time, I can’t recall a time I ever told a parent to agree to a REED.

I think maybe during the pandemic we did…but that was because kids were at home and school psychologists were at home…and it was difficult if not prohibited to get them together. And, we knew that when we returned to school, those IEP assessments would take place.

But three years is a long time for any child aged 3-21. A lot can happen, a lot can change. Academic demands change, social demands change…so new issues can surface. I know when kids are in that 18-21 age group, schools often offer this REED. However, that time period is more important than ever, because the child will be leaving school forever. You want accurate and up-to-date evaluations as your child exits. So yes, even request full IEP re-evaluations at ages 18-21. Especially then!

IEP Re-Evaluation Meeting

The initial IEP evaluations are compiled into a report called the ER or Evaluation Report. Every report thereafter is called RR for Reevaluation Report.

You likely will not have a separate meeting.

It will be rolled into the IEP meeting, as this is what IDEA suggests.

From IDEA:

(5) Consolidation of IEP Team meetings. To the extent possible, the public agency must encourage the consolidation of reevaluation meetings for the child and other IEP Team meetings for the child.

Special Education Re-evaluations

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about Individualized Education Program (IEP) special education re-evaluations:

1. What is an IEP special education re-evaluation? An IEP special education re-evaluation is a process where the educational needs of a student receiving special education services are reassessed. It involves gathering information, conducting assessments, and reviewing the student’s progress to determine if changes or updates are needed to their IEP.
2. Why is a re-evaluation necessary? Re-evaluations are necessary to ensure that a student’s IEP remains appropriate and effective. As a student grows and develops, their educational needs may change, requiring adjustments to their services, goals, or accommodations. Re-evaluations help to ensure that the IEP continues to address the student’s unique learning needs.
3. How often should a re-evaluation occur? The frequency of re-evaluations varies depending on state or district policies, as well as the individual needs of the student. Typically, re-evaluations are conducted at least every three years. However, a re-evaluation can also be triggered if there are significant changes in the student’s academic performance or if the IEP team, which includes parents or guardians, determines it is necessary.
4. How long does the school have to do the IEP re-evaluations? Actually, IDEA does not define this. And here’s why. It is assumed that the special education reevaluations will be completed prior to the next IEP annual meeting. The annual IEP meeting date creates a deadline for the re-evaluations.
5. Who is involved in the re-evaluation process? The re-evaluation process involves various individuals, including the student’s parents or guardians, special education teachers, general education teachers, school administrators, and relevant specialists such as psychologists, therapists, or diagnosticians. The IEP team collaboratively reviews assessment results, discusses the student’s progress, and determines any necessary updates to the IEP.
6. What happens during a re-evaluation? During a re-evaluation, the student’s progress is reviewed, and assessments may be conducted to gather current data about their strengths, challenges, and learning needs. The IEP team will analyze this information, discuss the student’s present levels of performance, and determine if changes should be made to the goals, services, accommodations, or placement outlined in the IEP.
7. Can parents request a re-evaluation? Yes, parents have the right to request a re-evaluation of their child’s IEP if they believe it is necessary. If a parent believes their child’s needs have changed or if they have concerns about the appropriateness of the current services or goals, they can communicate their request to the school’s special education department or the IEP team.
8. Can a student’s services be changed during a re-evaluation? Yes, the re-evaluation process may result in changes to a student’s services. If the IEP team determines that the current services or goals are no longer appropriate or effective, they may make adjustments based on the updated assessment results and the student’s current needs.
9. What if parents disagree with the re-evaluation results or proposed changes? If parents disagree with the re-evaluation results or proposed changes to the IEP, they have the right to voice their concerns and request further discussions with the IEP team or an IEE. Parents can provide additional information, seek independent evaluations, or request a formal dispute resolution process such as mediation or due process hearings.

It’s important to note that specific regulations and procedures may vary depending on the educational jurisdiction, so it’s always advisable to consult your local education authorities or professionals for accurate and up-to-date information.