What Parents Can Expect — Day by Day
This timeline explains the legal timeframes in Missouri for special education services, starting with a request for an evaluation and continuing through annual IEP reviews.
A parent or school submits a written request asking for a special education evaluation.
This officially starts the Missouri special education timeline.
Parents receive Procedural Safeguards (your rights under special education law).
The school reviews existing information and decides whether to evaluate.
Parents receive Prior Written Notice (PWN) stating whether the district agrees or refuses to evaluate.
Many schools hold a Review of Existing Data (RED) meeting during this time.
The evaluation timeline does not begin until written consent is received.
The next deadline is based on this date.
Within 60 Calendar Days of Signed Consent
All evaluations are completed.
An Eligibility Meeting is held to determine if the student qualifies for special education services.
Parents receive a copy of the evaluation report
(Missouri guidance uses “reasonable time,” commonly interpreted as about 20 days)
If the student is eligible:
The Initial IEP Meeting is held.
The IEP is written and finalized.
Special education services start as soon as possible after the IEP is completed.
The IEP must be reviewed at least once every 12 months.
A reevaluation must occur at least every 3 years, or sooner if requested by the parent or school.
A draft or “reveal” IEP meeting is not required by Missouri or IDEA law.
This is a district practice, not a legal timeline.
Parents have the right to:
Participate meaningfully
Receive notice of meetings
Receive Prior Written Notice for decisions
These websites explain Missouri timelines and parent rights in more detail:
Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE)
Special Education Compliance & IDEA Guidance
https://dese.mo.gov/special-education
Missouri Parent Training and Information Center (MOPTIC)
Parent-friendly explanations of timelines and rights
https://www.moptic.org
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
Federal law governing special education
https://sites.ed.gov/idea
Center for Parent Information & Resources (CPIR)
National parent guides and timelines
https://www.parentcenterhub.org
If a deadline is missed, parents can request:
A meeting
Written clarification
Support from DESE or a Parent Training & Information Center