Midwest · MO
Missouri special education IEP compliance and timelines
Governing regulations: Mo. Rev. Stat. ch. 162; 5 CSR 20-300.110 (Missouri State Plan for Special Education). State education agency: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
- Initial evaluation
- 60 calendar days from receipt of written consent to complete the evaluation and conduct the eligibility determination meeting.
- Initial IEP meeting
- The initial IEP must be developed within 30 days of the eligibility determination. (Missouri State Plan for Special Education, Regulation IV; 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
- Missouri Learning Standards
- IEP forms & systems
- No single statewide IEP platform; districts use vendor systems with DESE model forms.
Where Missouri differs from the federal baseline
- Missouri's 60 calendar day clock runs through the eligibility determination meeting, not just completion of testing.
- Districts must respond to a written evaluation request within 30 days with a Notice of Action, Missouri's term for prior written notice.
- The Special School District of St. Louis County provides special education for its component districts, a structure unique to Missouri.
- Missouri law requires dyslexia screening and supports under state statute, separate from IDEA child find.
Current monitoring priorities
- Indicator 11 timely evaluations and eligibility
- Tiered monitoring self-assessment and file reviews
- Indicator 13 secondary transition IEP content
MO IEP compliance checklist
- 01Signed consent date recorded; evaluation due within 60 calendar days.
- 02Eligibility determined and initial IEP meeting scheduled: The initial IEP must be developed 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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