IEP Timelines and Deadlines in Georgia

Understanding IEP timeline deadlines in Georgia gives you a real edge as a parent. When you know exactly how many days the school has to act — and what triggers each clock — you can advocate confidently, catch delays early, and keep your child's education on track. This guide walks you through every key deadline, in plain language, from the moment you first suspect your child needs support to the annual renewal of their Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Why Timelines Matter

Deadlines in special education are not suggestions. They are written into federal law — the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq. — and into Georgia's own rules. When a deadline is missed, your child may go weeks or months without the services they need. Knowing the timeline helps you ask the right questions at the right time, and to do so as a collaborative partner with your child's school team.

Step 1 — Requesting an Initial Evaluation

Everything begins with a referral for evaluation. Either you or the school can start this process.

• Who can request it: Parents, guardians, and school staff all have the right to refer a child for a special education evaluation (20 U.S.C. § 1414(a)(1); 34 C.F.R. § 300.301).
• Put it in writing: A written, dated request creates a clear paper trail and starts the official clock. You can hand-deliver it or send it by email — just keep a copy.
• What happens next: The school must respond to your request. They will either agree to evaluate or send you a document called a Prior Written Notice (PWN) — see below — explaining why they are declining.

Tip: Address your written request to the school's special education coordinator or the principal, and state clearly that you are requesting a "special education evaluation under IDEA."

Step 2 — Prior Written Notice (PWN)

Before the school agrees to evaluate — or refuses to — they must give you a Prior Written Notice. This is a formal written statement explaining what action the school proposes or refuses to take and why (20 U.S.C. § 1415(b)(3), (c)(1); 34 C.F.R. § 300.503).

A proper PWN must include:

• A description of the action proposed or refused
• An explanation of why the school chose that action
• A description of each evaluation, test, or record used to make the decision
• A statement of your procedural safeguards (your rights as a parent)

If the school agrees to evaluate, the PWN will describe the assessments they plan to use. Keep every PWN you receive — it is one of the most important documents in your child's special education file.

Step 3 — The 60-Calendar-Day Evaluation Window (Georgia's Rule)

This is one of the most critical IEP timeline deadlines in Georgia. Once you give written consent for the initial evaluation, the school district has 60 calendar days to complete the full evaluation (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.04).

Key details to know:

• The 60-day clock starts on the date the school receives your signed consent form — not the date you requested the evaluation.
• "Complete" means the evaluation is finished and the results are shared with you in an Eligibility Determination meeting.
• The clock does not pause over summer break or winter holidays unless a specific exception applies (such as a child who enrolls in a new district mid-process).
• If the district misses the 60-day deadline, contact the special education coordinator in writing and ask for a timeline. Document everything.

Important: Georgia's 60-calendar-day rule is stricter than what some states use. Federal law (34 C.F.R. § 300.301) allows states to set their own timelines, and Georgia has chosen 60 calendar days.

Step 4 — Eligibility Determination

After the evaluation is complete, the IEP team — which always includes you — meets to review the results and decide whether your child is eligible for special education services. This meeting must happen within the 60-day window.

If your child is found eligible, the team immediately begins developing the IEP. Georgia requires that the initial IEP be developed within 30 calendar days of the eligibility determination.

Step 5 — Developing the Initial IEP

The IEP document itself must be completed and services must begin as soon as possible after the IEP is written and you consent to placement. There is no separate lengthy waiting period allowed — the goal is to move quickly so your child can begin receiving a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) (20 U.S.C. § 1401(9); 34 C.F.R. § 300.17).

The IEP must include:

• Your child's present levels of academic and functional performance
• Measurable annual goals
• Special education services, supports, and accommodations
• How progress will be measured and reported to you

Step 6 — Annual IEP Review

Once an IEP is in place, the team must review and update it at least once every 12 months. This is often called the "annual review." The review must happen before the 12-month anniversary of the previous IEP — not after.

• You can request an IEP meeting at any time during the year if you have concerns. The school must respond to your request in a reasonable timeframe.
• Georgia schools typically aim to schedule annual reviews with enough lead time for the team to gather updated data and draft revised goals.

Step 7 — Re-Evaluation (Every 3 Years)

Every three years, the school must conduct a re-evaluation — sometimes called a "triennial" — to make sure your child's eligibility and needs are still accurately described. The same 60-calendar-day timeline applies once consent is given.

• You can request a re-evaluation sooner than three years if you believe your child's needs have changed significantly.
• The school may not re-evaluate more than once per year without your consent.

Quick-Reference Timeline Summary

Stage	Deadline
School responds to evaluation request	Promptly; must provide PWN
Complete initial evaluation (after consent)	60 calendar days (Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. 160-4-7-.04)
Develop initial IEP after eligibility found	30 calendar days
Annual IEP review	Every 12 months (before anniversary date)
Re-evaluation	Every 3 years (or sooner upon request)

Tracking Deadlines Like a Pro

You do not need a legal background to stay on top of these dates. A few simple habits make a big difference:

• Date-stamp everything. Write the date on every document you receive and every email you send.
• Create a simple calendar. When you sign consent for an evaluation, mark day 60 on your calendar right away.
• Follow up in writing. If a deadline is approaching and you have not heard from the school, send a polite email asking for a status update. This creates a record and often spurs action.
• Ask for your child's records. You have the right to inspect and receive copies of all educational records at any time.

When to Seek Additional Support

Most timeline issues are resolved through a straightforward conversation with the school's special education coordinator. However, if deadlines are repeatedly missed or you feel your child's right to FAPE is not being met, consider reaching out to:

• Georgia's Parent Training and Information Center — a free federally funded resource for families
• Georgia Department of Education, Division for Special Education Services and Supports — handles state-level complaints
• A qualified special education attorney or advocate — especially for situations involving due process, a manifestation determination hearing, or suspected retaliation

Remember: you are your child's most important advocate. Understanding the timeline is not about being adversarial — it is about being informed enough to work shoulder-to-shoulder with the school team and make sure your child gets what they need, when they need it.