The timelines, deadlines, and rights that apply to YOUR child's IEP in Mississippi — in plain language, with the actual law attached. Verified citations, no legalese, no paywall on knowledge.
Federal law (IDEA) sets the floor; Mississippi sets some of its own clocks. These are the ones parents use most:
60 calendar days from receipt of parental consent to complete evaluation and determine eligibility.
Mississippi does not specify a separate response timeline beyond the federal requirement. Child Find referrals must be forwarded within 7 calendar days.
30 calendar days after eligibility determination, the IEP must be developed.
Written complaint filed with MDE. Must include specific allegations and supporting facts. — Mississippi 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. Mississippi uses hearing officers for due process..
Tip: every one of these clocks starts with something in writing. Emails count. Phone calls don't.
Mississippi special-education entitlement statute. Establishes FAPE for children with disabilities ages 3-20. Mississippi has a unique provision recognizing dyslexia-specific therapy services under a separate Mississippi dyslexia screening law (§ 37-173-15).
What this means for you: MS services through AGE 20. MS Dyslexia Therapy Scholarship: students with dyslexia diagnoses may receive a state-funded therapy scholarship (separate from IDEA). MS follows federal 60-calendar-day evaluation timeline. MS Parent Information Center is the state PTI.
Mississippi IEP rule. Requires IEP development within 30 calendar days of eligibility. MS-specific: (1) IEP must address dyslexia screening results (MS dyslexia screening is mandatory K-3 under § 37-173-15), (2) Mississippi Empowerment Scholarship considered for IEP students, and (3) annual review required.
What this means for you: MS dyslexia screening (K-3) results must be considered in IEP. MS Empowerment Scholarship is a voucher — acceptance can waive IDEA rights. MS Parent Information Center (MS PIC) is the state PTI. MS Dyslexia Therapy is separate from IDEA SLD eligibility.
Mississippi PTI providing free training, information, and support to families of children with disabilities statewide.
📞 (800) 721-7255
Office of Special Education
📞 (601) 359-3498
The official Mississippi complaint process — use it when the school isn't following the IEP or the law.
Mississippi protection & advocacy organization — legal advocacy for people with disabilities.
📞 (601) 968-0600
In Mississippi: 60 calendar days from receipt of parental consent to complete evaluation and determine eligibility.. (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. Mississippi's rule is the one that applies.)
Mississippi does not specify a separate response timeline beyond the federal requirement. Child Find referrals must be forwarded within 7 calendar days.
Written complaint filed with MDE. Must include specific allegations and supporting facts. — Mississippi 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. Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center (MSPTI) is Mississippi's federally funded Parent Training and Information center — free help for families — (800) 721-7255.
Ask Know Your Rights any Mississippi 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.
Ask Know Your Rights → Run the Free Fall AuditShort, practical, from a mom who's been in that chair — a script to use, a right to know, a deadline to watch. No spam, never sold, unsubscribe anytime.