Northeast · CT
Connecticut special education IEP compliance and timelines
Governing regulations: Conn. Gen. Stat. § 10-76a et seq.; Regs. Conn. State Agencies § 10-76a-1 et seq.. State education agency: Connecticut State Department of Education.
- Initial evaluation
- 45 school days from receipt of a written referral to complete the initial evaluation and implement the IEP, excluding up to 10 school days spent obtaining consent.
- Initial IEP meeting
- The IEP must be implemented within the same 45 school day window that starts at referral; 60 school days applies when an out-of-district placement is needed. (Regs. Conn. State Agencies § 10-76d-13(a))
- 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 14, earlier than the federal age of 16.
- Academic standards
- Connecticut Core Standards
- IEP forms & systems
- CT-SEDS, the state-hosted special education data system, is used by Connecticut LEAs for referrals, IEPs and state reporting.
Where Connecticut differs from the federal baseline
- The 45 school day clock runs from referral through IEP implementation, not from consent to evaluation as under federal law.
- IEP teams are called Planning and Placement Teams (PPTs).
- Transition planning must begin in the IEP for a student turning 14, earlier than the federal age 16.
- Parent and district may sign a CT-SEDS mutual agreement form to extend the evaluation timeline in limited circumstances.
Current monitoring priorities
- Indicator 11 timely evaluations against the 45 school day rule
- CT-SEDS data quality and timeline documentation
- Indicator 13 transition planning from age 14
CT IEP compliance checklist
- 01Signed consent date recorded; evaluation due within 45 school days.
- 02Eligibility determined and initial IEP meeting scheduled: The IEP must be implemented within the same 45 school day window that starts at referral; 60 school days applies when an out-of-district placement is needed.
- 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 14 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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