Northeast · MA

Massachusetts special education IEP compliance and timelines

Governing regulations: M.G.L. c. 71B; 603 CMR 28.00. State education agency: Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Initial evaluation: Evaluation assessments must be completed within 30 school working days after receipt of parental consent.
Initial IEP meeting: Within 45 school working days of consent the district must convene the Team, determine eligibility and provide the proposed IEP, with 15 more days for an initial out-of-district placement. (603 CMR 28.05(1); 603 CMR 28.06(2)(e))
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: Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks
IEP forms & systems: No single statewide IEP platform; districts use vendor systems to complete the DESE-prescribed IEP form.

Where Massachusetts differs from the federal baseline

Massachusetts runs two clocks: 30 school working days for assessments and 45 school working days for the Team meeting and proposed IEP.
Eligibility requires that the disability prevent the student from making effective progress in general education (603 CMR 28.02).
Transition planning begins at age 14 and is documented on the DESE Transition Planning Form.
An extended evaluation may not exceed 8 school weeks and cannot be used to finish assessments that were due in the original window.

01Signed consent date recorded; evaluation due within 30 school days.
02Eligibility determined and initial IEP meeting scheduled: Within 45 school working days of consent the district must convene the Team, determine eligibility and provide the proposed IEP, with 15 more days for an initial out-of-district placement.
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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