Evaluation — The District must develop an evaluation plan and provide the families with Notice of Intent to Evaluate as soon as feasible, but within 30 calendar days from the date of referral. The evaluation and eligibility meeting must be completed within 60 calendar days from the date the signed consent to evaluate is received from the families.
Initial IEP Meeting — Held as soon as possible, but at least within 30 calendar days after the educational evaluation data is reviewed at an eligibility conference and it is determined that the student meets state eligibility criteria and requires special education and related services. An IEP meeting is held at least annually from the date of the previous IEP meeting.
Implementation of the IEP — As soon as possible, following the IEP meeting. Families must give consent if the IEP is to be implemented sooner than 10 days after the meeting.
Copy of the IEP — Families should receive a copy within 15 to 20 days of the IEP meeting.
IEP/Reevaluation Meeting — Held within 3 years of the date of the previous IEP/reevaluation or eligibility determination (unless there is an agreement between families and representatives of SSD and partner district to waive the reevaluation).
Manifestation Determination — Relevant IEP team members and families meet no later than 10 school days after the decision to take disciplinary action involving a change of placement to determine if the conduct was caused by or had a direct or substantial relationship between the student’s disability and the conduct in question.
Due Process Hearing Procedures (Note: The timeline for requesting a due process hearing must be within 2 years of the action that is the basis of the complaint):
- Mediation (optional prior to filing for due process) — will be offered and if agreed to by both parties, a session will be scheduled within 15 days and held within 30 days from agreement to mediate.
- Impartial Due Process Hearing: General — the Administrative Hearing Commission must reach its decision and mail a copy of the decision within 45 days of the date of the receipt of the request. In an expedited hearing resulting from a disciplinary action, the hearing must be held within 20 school days and the decision rendered and mailed within 10 school days of the hearing.
- Impartial Due Process Hearing: Administrative Hearing Commission — The district must send a response within 10 days of receiving the request for a due process hearing.
Preliminary meeting/resolution session (both parties can agree to waive) — will be convened by SSD within 15 days of request. If a complaint is not resolved within 30 days, the due process hearing may be held.
Mediation (optional after filing for a hearing) — will be offered and if agreed to by both parties, a session will be scheduled within 15 days and held within 30 days from agreement to mediate.
Administrative Hearing Commission — will be forwarded the complaint by Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) within 2 days of request. Within 15 days of receiving the complaint SSD must notify the Administrative Hearing Commission if it believes the request is insufficient and the Administrative Hearing Commission must respond back within 5 days if he or she determines the request meets IDEA requirements. If determined insufficient, an amendment can be made to the complaint no later than 5 days before a hearing is held. The Administrative Hearing Commission has 45 days from the date of the state’s receipt to set the date and location, give notice, conduct the hearing, and render and mail the findings.
