Title 20 › Chapter 33— EDUCATION OF INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES › Subchapter II— ASSISTANCE FOR EDUCATION OF ALL CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES › § 1414
Schools must do a full, individual evaluation before giving special education services. A parent, school district, or state education agency can ask for that first evaluation. With a parent’s written permission, the school must decide if the child has a disability and what the child needs. The law generally expects the school to finish the evaluation within 60 days after getting parental consent, or within a state-set time frame. If a child moves between districts or a parent won’t bring the child in, the 60-day rule may not apply. Schools must get informed consent before evaluating or re-evaluating, and consent for an evaluation is not the same as agreeing to services. If a parent refuses services, the school cannot force them and is not in violation for not providing those services. Teacher screenings for classroom instruction are not special education evaluations. Reevaluations happen when needed, when parents or teachers ask, no more often than once a year unless agreed, and at least every 3 years unless agreed otherwise. Evaluations must use many tools, be non‑discriminatory, be in the child’s language when possible, cover all suspected areas, and cannot label a child as disabled just because the child lacked reading or math instruction or is learning English. Each eligible child must have a written Individualized Education Program (IEP) in place at the start of the school year. The IEP must say the child’s current levels, measurable annual goals, how progress will be checked, the services and supports to be provided (with start date, frequency, location, and duration), how much the child will be with nondisabled peers, testing accommodations or alternate tests if needed, and transition goals and services beginning by age 16 (and one year before the state’s age of majority the child must be told about rights that will transfer). The IEP Team includes the parents, a regular teacher, a special education teacher or provider, a school representative, someone who can explain test results, others with expertise if needed, and the child when appropriate. Team members can be excused in writing. The IEP must be reviewed at least once a year and changed if needed. When a child transfers schools, the new school must provide comparable services until it adopts or makes a new IEP. Parents must be part of placement decisions, and meetings may be held by phone or video if the parent and school agree.
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Education — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Legislative History
Reference
Citation
20 U.S.C. § 1414
Title 20 — Education
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60