How many school days from the date of referral are required?

• A. 15
• B. 30
• C. 45
• D. 60

Answer: (B)

When a student is referred for a special education evaluation, there’s a defined window to complete the process and decide eligibility. The standard requirement is 30 school days from the date of referral. This period gives the team enough time to collect information from multiple sources—formal assessments, classroom observations, and input from teachers and parents—while keeping the process moving so services can start promptly if needed. If the student is found eligible, an IEP meeting is scheduled to plan services; if not, the student continues in general education with appropriate supports. The other time frames are longer or shorter than this specific window from referral, which is why 30 school days is the correct choice.