IEP Timelines and Deadlines in Texas

Navigating the special education process can feel overwhelming, especially when you don't know what's supposed to happen — or when. Understanding the key IEP timeline deadlines in Texas puts you in the driver's seat. When you know the rules, you can ask the right questions, spot delays early, and work constructively with your school district to make sure your child gets the support they need, right on schedule.

This guide walks you through every major deadline, from your very first request for an evaluation all the way to the annual review of your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP).

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What Is an IEP, and Why Do Deadlines Matter?

An IEP — Individualized Education Program — is the legally binding plan that describes the special education services your child will receive. It is the cornerstone of your child's right to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) under federal law (20 U.S.C. § 1401(9); 34 C.F.R. § 300.17).

In Texas, the team that develops and reviews the IEP is called the ARD committee (Admission, Review, and Dismissal). You may hear "ARD meeting" used interchangeably with "IEP meeting" — they refer to the same thing.

Deadlines exist because children can't afford to wait. Missing a timeline by weeks or months means your child goes without essential services during a critical window of development. Knowing the schedule helps you follow up proactively — not as an adversary, but as an informed partner.

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Step 1 — Requesting an Initial Evaluation

Your Right to Request

If you suspect your child has a disability that affects their education, you can ask the school district to evaluate them at any time. This right is protected under federal law (20 U.S.C. § 1414(a)(1); 34 C.F.R. § 300.301). Districts can also initiate evaluations themselves when they have reason to suspect a disability.

How to Make the Request

• Put it in writing. A written request (an email counts) creates a clear, dated record.
• Address it to your child's campus principal or the district's special education director.
• Keep a copy for yourself and note the date you sent it.

What Happens Next — Consent and the Clock

Once the district receives your written request, it has a reasonable time to respond with a proposal or a refusal. If it agrees to evaluate, it must send you a document called Prior Written Notice (PWN) (20 U.S.C. § 1415(b)(3), (c)(1); 34 C.F.R. § 300.503) explaining what it plans to do and why. You'll then sign a consent form — and that's when the official evaluation clock starts ticking.

Prior Written Notice (PWN): A document the district must give you any time it proposes or refuses to take an action regarding your child's education. It must explain the action, the reasons for it, and what other options were considered.

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Step 2 — The Full Individual Evaluation (FIE): 45 School Days

Once you sign consent for the initial evaluation, the district has 45 school days to complete the Full Individual Evaluation (FIE) and provide you with a written report of the results (Tex. Educ. Code § 29.004(a)).

What the 45-Day Clock Covers

• Gathering information from teachers, parents, and existing records
• Administering standardized assessments in all areas of suspected disability (e.g., academics, speech/language, social-emotional, motor skills)
• Reviewing the completed evaluations and producing a written FIE report

Important Notes on the 45-Day Window

• The clock counts school days, not calendar days — so summer break, holidays, and other non-instructional days do not count.
• If your child is absent for an extended period, that time may also be excluded.
• The district must share the FIE report with you before the ARD meeting so you have time to review it.

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Step 3 — The ARD (IEP) Meeting: 30 Calendar Days

After the FIE is completed, the district must hold an ARD meeting within 30 calendar days to review the results and, if your child is found eligible, develop the IEP (19 Tex. Admin. Code § 89.1011(c)).

What Happens at the ARD Meeting

• The team reviews the FIE and determines whether your child meets eligibility criteria for special education.
• If eligible, the team develops the IEP — including goals, services, accommodations, placement, and how progress will be measured.
• You are a required member of this team. Your input on your child's strengths, needs, and priorities matters enormously.

Your Rights at the ARD Meeting

• You may bring a support person, advocate, or anyone with knowledge of your child.
• You do not have to sign the IEP the same day. You can ask for time to review it.
• If you disagree with any part of the IEP, you can note your disagreement in writing. The district must provide Prior Written Notice (PWN) any time it proposes or refuses to change your child's program.

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Ongoing IEP Deadlines to Know

The timeline doesn't stop after the first IEP is written. Here are the recurring checkpoints every Texas parent should track:

Annual ARD Review

The ARD committee must review and update your child's IEP at least once every year. This is sometimes called the "annual ARD." You may request a meeting more often if needed — there is no rule limiting how frequently you can ask.

Three-Year Reevaluation

At least every three years, the district must conduct a new evaluation (called a "triennial" or "three-year re-eval") to confirm your child's continued eligibility and update the understanding of their needs. Both you and the district can agree in writing to skip some or all of the formal testing if existing data is sufficient.

Requesting an Unscheduled ARD Meeting

You don't have to wait for the annual review. You can request an ARD meeting at any time if:

• Your child's needs have changed significantly
• You believe the current IEP is not working
• You want to discuss a new concern or add a service

Submit the request in writing to preserve your record.

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Putting the Timeline Together: A Quick Reference

Milestone	Deadline
District responds to evaluation request + sends PWN	Promptly; no fixed federal day count, but unreasonable delay can be challenged
Parent signs consent to evaluate	Starts the FIE clock
FIE completed	45 school days after signed consent (Tex. Educ. Code § 29.004(a))
ARD (IEP) meeting held	30 calendar days after FIE completion (19 Tex. Admin. Code § 89.1011(c))
Annual IEP review	Every 12 months
Reevaluation	At least every 3 years

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What To Do If a Deadline Is Missed

First, reach out to the special education coordinator or director in a friendly, written message — note the date and ask when the next step will be completed. Most delays are administrative, not intentional, and a gentle nudge resolves them quickly.

If the district does not respond or continues to miss timelines, you have several options:

• File a state complaint with the Texas Education Agency (TEA). TEA must investigate and issue a decision within 60 calendar days.
• Request mediation, a free and voluntary process to resolve disagreements.
• For serious, ongoing violations, consulting a qualified special education attorney or advocate is a wise step before pursuing due process.

Keep every email, letter, and signed form. A clear paper trail is your most powerful tool.

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You Are Your Child's Best Advocate

Understanding IEP timeline deadlines in Texas doesn't make you an adversary — it makes you an informed partner. Schools are full of dedicated people who want your child to succeed. When everyone knows the schedule and works toward it together, children get the right support at the right time. That's the goal, and you belong at that table.