Midwest · KS

Kansas special education IEP compliance and timelines

Governing regulations: K.S.A. 72-3401 et seq.; K.A.R. 91-40-1 et seq.. State education agency: Kansas State Department of Education.

Initial evaluation: 60 school days from receipt of written parental consent to complete the initial evaluation, with limited exceptions such as a written parent agreement to extend.
Initial IEP meeting: A meeting to develop the initial IEP within 30 days of the eligibility determination. (K.A.R. 91-40-16; 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 14, earlier than the federal age of 16.
Academic standards: Kansas Academic Standards
IEP forms & systems: No single statewide IEP platform; districts and interlocal cooperatives use vendor systems, guided by the KSDE Special Education Process Handbook.

Where Kansas differs from the federal baseline

Kansas counts the evaluation window in school days, and the parent may agree in writing to extend it.
Written parental consent is required before a material change in services or a substantial change in placement, beyond what IDEA requires.
Kansas special education law also covers gifted students, who receive IEPs under state law.
Transition planning begins in the IEP in effect when the student turns 14.

01Signed consent date recorded; evaluation due within 60 school 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 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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