West · WA

Washington special education IEP compliance and timelines

Governing regulations: Chapter 392-172A WAC; RCW Chapter 28A.155. State education agency: Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Initial evaluation: An initial evaluation must be completed and eligibility determined within 35 school days after the district receives written parental consent, unless the parent and district agree in writing to a different timeline. The day consent is received is day zero, and the parent must receive the completed evaluation report by the 35th school day.
Initial IEP meeting: A meeting to develop the IEP must be held within 30 calendar days of the determination that the student needs special education and related services. (WAC 392-172A-03105; 34 CFR § 300.323(c)(1))
Annual review: At least once every 365 days (WAC 392-172A-03110; 34 CFR § 300.324(b)(1)).
Reevaluation: At least every 3 years, completed within 35 school days of consent (WAC 392-172A-03015; WAC 392-172A-03005).
Transition planning: Must be in effect by age 16.
Academic standards: Washington State K-12 Learning Standards
IEP forms & systems: No single mandated statewide IEP software. OSPI publishes model forms, and districts and educational service districts choose their own IEP platforms.

Where Washington differs from the federal baseline

Washington's initial evaluation clock is 35 school days from consent, one of the shortest in the country (WAC 392-172A-03005).
The date consent is received counts as day zero, and the evaluation report must be in the parent's hands by the 35th school day.
Reevaluations run on the same 35 school day timeline as initial evaluations.
The parent and district may agree in writing to extend the evaluation timeline in limited circumstances.

01Signed consent date recorded; evaluation due within 35 school days.
02Eligibility determined and initial IEP meeting scheduled: A meeting to develop the IEP must be held within 30 calendar days of the determination that the student needs special education and related services.
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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