What to expect when the school delays evaluation — and when 504 is a stopgap

Danielle Lais told attendees that when a parent requests an evaluation, the school must respond and begin the process in a set timeline: "the 1st time having an evaluation done, it must be done within 60 days," she said. Ivan warned that district backlogs can mean long waits and advised parents to reach out to local advocates and request interim accommodations while awaiting a full IEP.

Ivan described Section 504 as a broader, quicker accommodation tool and said that, in practice, "that should be written within less than a week to say the most," offering a practical option for short-term needs such as a temporary cast or short-term medical accommodation. Presenters cautioned parents that charters and private schools may follow different procedures and that district staff decide whether to accept outside evaluations.