When does the 45-school-day evaluation clock start in Texas?

The clock starts the day the school receives your written consent to evaluate — not the day you made the request. Make sure to date your consent form and keep a copy. School days only (not weekends or holidays) count toward the 45-day limit under Tex. Educ. Code § 29.004(a).

Can a Texas school district extend the 45-school-day deadline?

The law does not provide a general extension. However, if the evaluation window falls entirely within a summer break, specific rules may apply. If the district cannot meet the deadline, ask for a written explanation (Prior Written Notice) and contact the Texas Education Agency if needed.

What if my child's school misses the 30-calendar-day ARD meeting deadline?

Contact the special education coordinator in writing, referencing 19 Tex. Admin. Code § 89.1011(c) and asking for a firm, rescheduled date. If the school does not respond promptly, you can file a free State Complaint with the Texas Education Agency.

Do these timelines apply if the school refers my child for evaluation, not me?

Yes. Whether the referral comes from you, a teacher, or another professional, the same 45-school-day evaluation timeline applies once written consent is provided. Your rights as a parent — including receiving a Prior Written Notice — are the same regardless of who initiated the referral.

What is a Prior Written Notice (PWN) and when must Texas schools provide one?

A PWN is a written document the school must give you any time it proposes or refuses to take a significant action related to your child's special education — such as starting, changing, or stopping an evaluation or service. It must explain the decision, the reasoning behind it, and what other options were considered (20 U.S.C. § 1415(b)(3); 34 C.F.R. § 300.503).

How do I file a State Complaint in Texas if a deadline is missed?

You can submit a written complaint to the Texas Education Agency's Special Education Division. The complaint must describe the violation and be filed within one year of the alleged incident. TEA is required to investigate and issue a written decision within 60 calendar days. The process is free, and TEA's website provides complaint forms and instructions.

IEP Timelines and Deadlines in Texas

Understanding the key iep timeline deadlines texas families must follow can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already managing your child's daily needs. The good news is that both federal law — the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) — and Texas state rules set clear, specific deadlines that school districts must meet. Knowing these timelines puts you in a much stronger position to make sure your child receives the services they need.

Why Timelines Matter in Special Education

Every day a deadline slips is potentially a day your child goes without appropriate support. Federal law guarantees every eligible student a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) — meaning specially designed instruction and related services at no cost to your family (20 U.S.C. § 1401(9); 34 C.F.R. § 300.17). Deadlines exist to make that guarantee real, not just a promise on paper. When you track these dates, you become your child's most effective advocate.

Step 1 — Requesting an Initial Evaluation

The process begins the moment you (or a teacher, doctor, or other professional) suspect your child may have a disability affecting their education. You have the right to request a Full Individual Evaluation (FIE) in writing at any time (20 U.S.C. § 1414(a)(1); 34 C.F.R. § 300.301).

Tips for your written request:

Address it to the school principal or the district's Special Education Director.
State clearly that you are requesting a "Full Individual Evaluation under IDEA."
Date the letter and keep a copy — that date starts the clock.
Sending it via email or certified mail creates a paper trail.

After receiving your written request, the district must respond. They will either agree to evaluate or decline. If they decline, they must provide you with a Prior Written Notice (PWN) — a formal written explanation of their reasoning (20 U.S.C. § 1415(b)(3), (c)(1); 34 C.F.R. § 300.503). A PWN is required any time the district proposes or refuses to take any significant action regarding your child's special education.

Step 2 — The 45-School-Day Evaluation Deadline

This is one of the most important Texas-specific deadlines to know. Once the district receives your written consent to evaluate, Texas law requires the district to complete the FIE within 45 school days (Tex. Educ. Code § 29.004(a)).

What counts as "school days"? School days are days students are actually in attendance — weekends, holidays, and summer break generally do not count. This means the clock can feel slow during long breaks. Keep a simple calendar and mark:

The date you signed consent.
Every school day after that.
The target completion date (45 school days later).

What the FIE covers: The evaluation must assess your child in all areas related to the suspected disability — academic achievement, cognitive ability, communication, motor skills, social-emotional behavior, and more, as appropriate.

Step 3 — The 30-Calendar-Day ARD/IEP Meeting Deadline

Once the FIE is complete, the district must convene an Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee meeting — Texas's term for the IEP team meeting — to review the results and, if your child is found eligible, develop an IEP. Texas rules require this ARD meeting to be held within 30 calendar days of completing the evaluation (19 Tex. Admin. Code § 89.1011(c)).

Calendar days means every day counts — weekends and most holidays included. So if the FIE is finalized on a Friday, the 30-day window starts that same day.

At the ARD meeting, the team will:

Review evaluation findings together.
Determine whether your child is eligible for special education services.
If eligible, develop the IEP — including goals, services, placement, and accommodations.
Discuss and agree on the date services will begin.

You are a full and equal member of the ARD committee. Bring your notes, questions, and any outside evaluations or reports you have.

Annual IEP Reviews and Re-Evaluations

Timelines don't stop after the first IEP is in place.

Annual ARD review: The IEP must be reviewed at least once per year to ensure goals are appropriate and progress is being made.
Three-year re-evaluation: At least every three years (sometimes called a "triennial"), the district must conduct another FIE — or obtain your consent to waive a new evaluation if existing data are sufficient.

Mark these anniversaries on your calendar each year so you can prompt the school if a meeting hasn't been scheduled as the date approaches.

The Critical Timeline at a Glance

Milestone	Deadline	Legal Reference
District responds to evaluation request	Promptly; must provide PWN if refusing	34 C.F.R. § 300.503
FIE completed after consent	45 school days	Tex. Educ. Code § 29.004(a)
ARD/IEP meeting held after FIE	30 calendar days	19 Tex. Admin. Code § 89.1011(c)
Annual IEP review	Every 12 months	34 C.F.R. § 300.324
Re-evaluation	At least every 3 years	34 C.F.R. § 300.303

What to Do If the School Misses a Deadline

First, take a breath. Missing a deadline is serious, but most situations can be resolved without conflict. Here's a constructive path forward:

Document everything. Note the deadline, the date it passed, and any communications you've had.
Contact the school in writing. A polite but clear email to the special education coordinator — referencing the specific deadline and law — often prompts quick action.
Request a response in writing. Ask the school to explain the delay and provide a new, firm date. Any significant change to your child's program must be accompanied by a Prior Written Notice (20 U.S.C. § 1415(b)(3); 34 C.F.R. § 300.503).
File a State Complaint. If a written deadline under state or federal law was missed, you may file a complaint with the Texas Education Agency (TEA). TEA must investigate and issue a written decision within 60 days. This is a free, formal process.
Request Mediation. TEA offers free voluntary mediation to help parents and districts reach agreement.
Consult a Special Education Attorney or Advocate. If deadlines are repeatedly missed, if your child has gone a significant time without services, or if you are considering a due-process hearing, seek guidance from a qualified professional. This article provides educational information, not legal advice.

Keeping Your Own Records

One of the most powerful things you can do is maintain a simple binder or folder with:

Copies of every letter, email, and signed consent form.
Notes from every phone call (date, time, who you spoke with, what was said).
Copies of every evaluation, IEP, and PWN.
Your personal calendar of key deadlines.

When you show up to an ARD meeting organized and informed, the conversation shifts naturally toward collaboration — and that benefits your child most of all.