South · AL

Alabama special education IEP compliance and timelines

Governing regulations: Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9. State education agency: Alabama State Department of Education.

Initial evaluation: 60 calendar days from receipt of signed parental consent to complete the initial evaluation; the clock runs through school breaks and summer.
Initial IEP meeting: Eligibility must be determined within 30 calendar days of completing the evaluation, and the initial IEP meeting held within 30 calendar days of the eligibility determination. (Ala. Admin. Code r. 290-8-9-.02; r. 290-8-9-.05)
Annual review: At least once every 365 days (34 CFR § 300.324(b)(1)).
Reevaluation: At least every 3 years unless the parent and LEA agree it is unnecessary, and not more than once a year without agreement (34 CFR § 300.303).
Transition planning: Must be in effect by age 16.
Academic standards: Alabama Courses of Study
IEP forms & systems: No single statewide IEP platform; LEAs use vendor systems built on ALSDE mandated special education forms.

Where Alabama differs from the federal baseline

Alabama adds a separate 30 calendar day window after evaluation for the eligibility determination, so the full referral to IEP path can run up to 120 days.
ALSDE publishes mandated forms for notice, consent, eligibility and the IEP, and LEAs are expected to use them or equivalent content.
The 60 day evaluation clock does not pause for scheduled breaks or summer vacation.
State Board rules require dyslexia screening and supports in general education, which run alongside but do not replace IDEA child find.

01Signed consent date recorded; evaluation due within 60 calendar days.
02Eligibility determined and initial IEP meeting scheduled: Eligibility must be determined within 30 calendar days of completing the evaluation, and the initial IEP meeting held within 30 calendar days of the eligibility determination.
03PLAAFP includes measurable baselines and a statement of how the disability affects involvement in the general curriculum (34 CFR § 300.320(a)(1)).
04Each annual goal is measurable, with condition, behavior, criterion and measurement method (§ 300.320(a)(2)).
05Progress reporting schedule stated for each goal (§ 300.320(a)(3)).
06Transition goals and services in effect by age 16 where applicable.
07Prior Written Notice issued for every proposal or refusal, with all seven § 300.503(b) elements.
08Annual review scheduled within 365 days; reevaluation within 3 years.

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