How Long Should a Special Education Re-Evaluation Take?

Under federal law (IDEA), schools typically have 60 calendar days to complete a special education re-evaluation once a parent signs consent. Delays beyond this timeframe often coincide with other concerning practices, such as "informal suspensions," where a student is sent home early due to behavioral challenges. If a student is removed from their learning environment for more than 10 cumulative days, it may be considered a "change of placement," which triggers specific legal protections for the family.

Crucially, families should know that an IEP can be updated at any time without waiting for a full re-evaluation to be completed. If a student’s current plan is insufficient, the IEP team can meet immediately to implement new accommodations or behavioral supports. Schools cannot legally delay these necessary updates or deny services by citing a lack of available resources or staffing.

VillageED’s special education services page offers guidance for managing classroom behaviors: https://www.villageed.org/sped-services.