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Northeast · RI

Rhode Island special education IEP compliance and timelines

Governing regulations: Rhode Island Regulations Governing the Education of Children with Disabilities (200-RICR-20-30-6); R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 16-24. State education agency: Rhode Island Department of Education.

Initial evaluation
The child must be evaluated within 60 calendar days of receipt of parental consent to an initial evaluation, and the evaluation must begin no later than 10 school days after consent is received.
Initial IEP meeting
A meeting to develop the IEP must be held within 30 calendar days of the eligibility determination. (200-RICR-20-30-6, § 300.323; 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, and not more than once a year unless the parent and LEA agree (34 CFR § 300.303).
Transition planning
Must be in effect by age 14, earlier than the federal age of 16.
Academic standards
Rhode Island Core Standards
IEP forms & systems
No single statewide IEP software. RIDE publishes a state IEP form and guidance, and LEAs document IEPs in vendor systems.

Where Rhode Island differs from the federal baseline

  • The initial evaluation must begin within 10 school days of receipt of consent, in addition to the 60 calendar day completion deadline.
  • Written parental consent is required by State statute before an initial evaluation (R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-24-1.1).
  • RIDE directs IEP teams to invite the student and consider transition services beginning at age 14, and R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-24-18 provides for transition planning at 14 or younger when the IEP team finds it appropriate.

Current monitoring priorities

  • Initial evaluation start and completion timelines (Indicator 11)
  • Secondary transition IEP content (Indicator 13)
  • Correction of noncompliance through RIDE school support system reviews
Rhode Island Department of Education

RI IEP compliance checklist

  1. 01Signed consent date recorded; evaluation due within 60 calendar days.
  2. 02Eligibility determined and initial IEP meeting scheduled: A meeting to develop the IEP must be held within 30 calendar days of the eligibility determination.
  3. 03PLAAFP includes measurable baselines and a statement of how the disability affects involvement in the general curriculum (34 CFR § 300.320(a)(1)).
  4. 04Each annual goal is measurable, with condition, behavior, criterion and measurement method (§ 300.320(a)(2)).
  5. 05Progress reporting schedule stated for each goal (§ 300.320(a)(3)).
  6. 06Transition goals and services in effect by age 14 where applicable.
  7. 07Prior Written Notice issued for every proposal or refusal, with all seven § 300.503(b) elements.
  8. 08Annual review scheduled within 365 days; reevaluation within 3 years.
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