South · MD
Maryland special education IEP compliance and timelines
Governing regulations: Md. Code, Educ. § 8-401 et seq.; COMAR 13A.05.01. State education agency: Maryland State Department of Education.
- Initial evaluation
- 60 days from parental consent for assessments, and no later than 90 days from the public agency's receipt of a written referral.
- Initial IEP meeting
- A meeting to develop the initial IEP within 30 days of the eligibility determination. (COMAR 13A.05.01; 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
- Maryland College and Career Ready Standards
- IEP forms & systems
- The Maryland Online IEP, a state-supported web system, is used by most Maryland local school systems.
Where Maryland differs from the federal baseline
- Maryland adds a 90 day outer limit from written referral on top of the 60 day consent clock.
- Parents must receive documents to be discussed at least 5 business days before the IEP meeting, and the completed IEP within 5 business days after it (Md. Code, Educ. § 8-405).
- Transition planning begins with the IEP in effect when the student turns 14.
- MSDE investigates state complaints and publishes redacted letters of findings.
Current monitoring priorities
- Indicator 11 timely evaluations under the 60 and 90 day limits
- Timely delivery of IEP meeting documents to parents
- Indicator 13 transition planning from age 14
MD IEP compliance checklist
- 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 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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