The timelines, deadlines, and rights that apply to YOUR child's IEP in Louisiana — in plain language, with the actual law attached. Verified citations, no legalese, no paywall on knowledge.
Federal law (IDEA) sets the floor; Louisiana sets some of its own clocks. These are the ones parents use most:
60 business days from receipt of parental consent to complete the initial evaluation (Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 28, Section XCVII-105).
Louisiana does not specify a separate response timeline beyond the federal requirement. The evaluation clock starts from consent.
30 calendar days after eligibility determination, the IEP must be developed. Services must begin no later than 10 school days after IEP is written.
Written complaint filed with LDOE. Must include specific allegations and supporting facts. Copy to school district required. — Louisiana Department of Education, Division 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. Louisiana uses hearing officers for due process hearings..
Tip: every one of these clocks starts with something in writing. Emails count. Phone calls don't.
Louisiana's IEP regulations (Bulletin 1530, LAC Title 28 Part XCVII). § 105.A: the district has a MAXIMUM of 30 CALENDAR DAYS to complete the IEP/placement document for an eligible student. For deaf and hard-of-hearing students, the team must consider language and communication needs, including opportunities for direct communication with peers and professionals in the student's language and communication mode (§ 303.A.7.d). Interim IEPs require pupil-appraisal personnel to have reviewed existing student information (§ 307.A.1).
What this means for you: The district has a maximum of 30 calendar days to complete the IEP/placement document once your child is eligible (§ 105.A). Deaf/hard-of-hearing students: the team must consider language and communication needs and direct communication in the student's mode (§ 303.A.7.d). Interim IEPs require pupil-appraisal review of existing information first (§ 307.A.1). Families Helping Families is the LA state PTI network.
Louisiana special-education entitlement statute. Establishes FAPE for eligible students ages 3-22. Louisiana uses Pupil Appraisal for evaluation — a LA-specific term — and requires the IEP team to include the pupil appraisal personnel who conducted the evaluation. LA evaluation: 60 BUSINESS DAYS from consent.
What this means for you: LA services through AGE 22 — older than federal 21. LA Pupil Appraisal is the evaluation process; required IEP team member is the pupil appraisal coordinator. LA 60 BUSINESS DAYS for evaluation (not calendar days) — distinctive. LA Special School District (SSD) serves students in adult/juvenile correctional facilities.
Louisiana PTI (LaPTIC) providing free statewide information, training, workshops, and webinars on IDEA and special education rights since 1991. Over 100 training opportunities annually. Phone and email support statewide.
📞 (800) 766-7736
Division of Special Education
📞 (225) 342-3720
The official Louisiana complaint process — use it when the school isn't following the IEP or the law.
Louisiana protection & advocacy organization — legal advocacy for people with disabilities.
📞 (504) 522-2337
In Louisiana: 60 business days from receipt of parental consent to complete the initial evaluation (Louisiana Administrative Code, Title 28, Section XCVII-105).. (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. Louisiana's rule is the one that applies.)
Louisiana does not specify a separate response timeline beyond the federal requirement. The evaluation clock starts from consent.
Written complaint filed with LDOE. Must include specific allegations and supporting facts. Copy to school district required. — Louisiana Department of Education, Division of Special Education. Time limit: Violation must have occurred within 1 year of filing date. Resolution: 60 calendar days from receipt of complaint.
Yes. Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans (LaPTIC) is Louisiana's federally funded Parent Training and Information center — free help for families — (800) 766-7736.
Ask Know Your Rights any Louisiana 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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