The timelines, deadlines, and rights that apply to YOUR child's IEP in Indiana — in plain language, with the actual law attached. Verified citations, no legalese, no paywall on knowledge.
Federal law (IDEA) sets the floor; Indiana sets some of its own clocks. These are the ones parents use most:
50 instructional days from receipt of written parental consent for initial evaluation (Indiana Article 7, 511 IAC 7-40-4).
10 instructional days. The school must provide written notice within 10 instructional days of a parent request stating whether it will or will not conduct the evaluation.
The CCC (Case Conference Committee) meeting to develop the IEP occurs within the 50-day evaluation window. IEP document provided to parent no later than 10 business days after CCC meeting.
Written complaint filed with IDOE. Must include specific allegations and supporting facts. Copy to school district required. — Indiana Department of Education, Office of Special Education. File violation must have occurred within 1 year of filing date. Resolved in 60 calendar days from receipt of complaint.
Resolution session: Within 15 days of due process complaint filing. Hearing decision: 45 days after resolution period ends. Indiana uses Independent Hearing Officers (IHOs) appointed by IDOE for due process hearings..
Tip: every one of these clocks starts with something in writing. Emails count. Phone calls don't.
Indiana's 'Article 7' Rule 42 — the case-conference and IEP rules. Indiana calls the IEP team the CASE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE (CCC). Verified timelines: the initial evaluation must be conducted and the CCC convened within 50 INSTRUCTIONAL DAYS of written parental consent (511 IAC 7-40-5(d)); the initial IEP must be implemented no later than 10 INSTRUCTIONAL DAYS after parental consent to it (511 IAC 7-42-8); revised IEPs take effect on the 11th instructional day after written notice unless the parent consents earlier or challenges. Eligibility runs from age 3 until the student turns 22 (Ind. Code § 20-35-1-8).
What this means for you: Indiana calls the IEP team the 'Case Conference Committee' (CCC) — same function, Indiana terminology. Evaluation + first CCC meeting: within 50 instructional days of your written consent (511 IAC 7-40-5(d)). The initial IEP must be implemented within 10 instructional days after you consent to it (511 IAC 7-42-8). A revised IEP takes effect on the 11th instructional day after written notice — challenging it in writing before then pauses the change.
Indiana's definitions statute for special education (the formerly-cited § 20-35-1-2 was repealed; the definition now lives at § 20-35-1-8). A 'student with a disability' is an individual at least 3 and LESS THAN 22 years of age who, because of physical or mental disability, cannot be educated properly through normal classroom instruction but may benefit from a special educational program — so services run ages 3 through 21. Indiana's detailed procedures live in the State Board's Article 7 rules (511 IAC 7).
What this means for you: Indiana eligibility: at least age 3 and under age 22 (Ind. Code § 20-35-1-8) — services through age 21. The operational rulebook is Article 7 (511 IAC 7) — that's where timelines and procedures live. IN*SOURCE is Indiana's parent training center.
Indiana PTI providing free information, training, and individualized support to families of children with disabilities since 1975. Serves families birth through age 26 across the entire state.
📞 (574) 234-7101
Office of Special Education
📞 (317) 232-0570
The official Indiana complaint process — use it when the school isn't following the IEP or the law.
Indiana protection & advocacy organization — legal advocacy for people with disabilities.
📞 (317) 722-5555
In Indiana: 50 instructional days from receipt of written parental consent for initial evaluation (Indiana Article 7, 511 IAC 7-40-4).. (Context: federal law sets a default of 60 calendar days from parental consent — 34 CFR § 300.301(c) — and allows each state to set its own timeframe. Indiana's rule is the one that applies.)
10 instructional days. The school must provide written notice within 10 instructional days of a parent request stating whether it will or will not conduct the evaluation.
Written complaint filed with IDOE. Must include specific allegations and supporting facts. Copy to school district required. — Indiana Department of Education, Office of Special Education. Time limit: Violation must have occurred within 1 year of filing date. Resolution: 60 calendar days from receipt of complaint.
Yes. IN*SOURCE (Indiana Resource Center for Families with Special Needs) is Indiana's federally funded Parent Training and Information center — free help for families — (574) 234-7101.
Ask Know Your Rights any Indiana IEP question in plain language, free. And before the school year starts, run the free Fall IEP Audit — it grades last spring's IEP so you know exactly what to push on.
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