How long a Massachusetts school district has — to answer your request, to finish the evaluation, and to meet — with the law cited for every number.
The district must respond to a written request within 5 school days (603 CMR 28.04(1)(a) — written notice seeking consent within 5 school days of referral).
After you sign consent, the evaluation must be finished within 30 school days (603 CMR 28.04(2), 28.05(1) — assessments within 30 school working days of consent; eligibility and proposed IEP within 45 school working days).
Recording a meeting: all-party (M.G.L. c.272 §99).
If the school misses: state complaint — allege a violation from the last 1 year (34 CFR §300.153(c)); due process — 2 years from when you knew or should have known (34 CFR §300.507(a)(2)).
Rules checked October 2026 — every rule on this page is cited to its source. Verify day counts against your district's official calendar.
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Counting for another state? See the 50-state table.