TL;DR

  • After written consent, Massachusetts evaluation assessments must be completed within 30 school working days.
  • Within 45 school working days after consent, the district must evaluate, convene the Team, and provide the proposed IEP and placement or send a written explanation of ineligibility.
  • Assessment summaries should be available to parents at least two days before the Team meeting.
  • Parents generally have 30 days after receiving the proposed IEP and placement to accept, reject, partially reject, or request a meeting.

The short version

Under Massachusetts regulation 603 CMR 28.05, the clock starts when the district receives the parent's written consent for an initial evaluation or reevaluation. From there, the district must complete evaluation assessments within 30 school working days. The district must also convene the Team and provide the proposed IEP and placement within 45 school working days after consent, unless the Team finds the student not eligible and sends a written explanation instead.

"School working days" matter. They are not always the same as calendar days. Breaks, holidays, snow days, and summer timing can change how the date feels in real life, so keep a dated copy of the consent and ask the district how it is counting the timeline if there is confusion.

The timeline in plain English

  1. Written consent is received. This is the practical start of the evaluation timeline.
  2. Assessment work happens. Massachusetts requires evaluation assessments to be completed within 30 school working days after consent.
  3. Summaries are available before the meeting. The assessment summaries should be completed so they are available to parents at least two days before the Team meeting.
  4. The Team meets. The Team reviews evaluation data, determines eligibility, and, if the student is eligible, develops the IEP.
  5. The proposed IEP and placement are sent. Massachusetts requires the district to provide two copies of the proposed IEP and placement within 45 school working days after consent, subject to limited placement-delay rules.
  6. The parent responds. No later than 30 days after receiving the proposed IEP and placement, the parent accepts, rejects in whole or part, requests a meeting to discuss rejected portions, or accepts an amended proposal if mutually agreed.

What to do if the dates are slipping

Start with a short written question. Include the date you signed consent, the date the district received it if you know it, and the deadline you believe applies. Ask the district to confirm the expected assessment summary date, Team meeting date, and proposed IEP date.

If the issue is not resolved locally, Massachusetts also has a Problem Resolution System and the Bureau of Special Education Appeals for dispute resolution. Which path fits depends on the facts, so use the procedural safeguards and parent-center resources before escalating.

How PrepIEP helps with timelines

PrepIEP can keep the meeting record, proposed IEP, progress reports, and parent questions in one workspace. It does not replace legal advice, but it makes the timeline easier to discuss because your documents and questions are organized.

Sources

  1. 603 CMR 28.05 - Massachusetts Team process, evaluation timing, proposed IEP timing, and parent response.
  2. 603 CMR 28.08 - Massachusetts dispute resolution options.
  3. IDEA Sec. 300.322 - parent participation in IEP Team meetings.
  4. Massachusetts Parent's Notice of Procedural Safeguards - DESE procedural safeguards hub.