West · HI

Hawaii special education IEP compliance and timelines

Governing regulations: Haw. Code R. Chapter 8-60. State education agency: Hawaii State Department of Education.

Initial evaluation: 60 days from receipt of parental consent for the initial evaluation, mirroring the federal rule.
Initial IEP meeting: A meeting to develop the initial IEP within 30 days of the eligibility determination. (Haw. Code R. Chapter 8-60; 34 CFR § 300.323(c)(1))
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: Hawaii Common Core Standards and Hawaii Content and Performance Standards III
IEP forms & systems: HIDOE uses a single statewide student support system (eCSSS) for IEP development across its schools.

Where Hawaii differs from the federal baseline

HIDOE is both the state educational agency and the single statewide LEA, so one agency is accountable for every IEP in the public system.
Hawaii public charter schools are monitored through the State Public Charter School Commission and HIDOE.
Consent for initial evaluation is not consent for initial services; a separate consent is required (Haw. Code R. § 8-60-31).

01Signed consent date recorded; evaluation due within 60 calendar days.
02Eligibility determined and initial IEP meeting scheduled: A meeting to develop the initial IEP within 30 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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