General information and document preparation — not legal advice.
Special education by state
Special Education & IEP Help in New Hampshire
If your child has — or might need — an IEP in New Hampshire, this page puts the New Hampshire-specific rules into plain English: how long an evaluation can take, how New Hampshire rates on federal special-education oversight, the people who help for free, and exactly how to push back when something is wrong. Federal law (IDEA) is the floor everywhere; New Hampshire adds the details below.
How long does an IEP evaluation take in New Hampshire?
NH schools have 60 calendar days after you sign consent to finish your child's first evaluation. The clock includes weekends, holidays, and school vacations, and no extensions are allowed for initial evaluations.
That matches the federal default of 60 calendar days.
New Hampshire's federal IDEA rating
New Hampshire is currently rated “Meets requirements” — the U.S. Department of Education found that the state met federal special-education requirements in its most recent annual review. That is the top of four ratings — but it does not guarantee your own district is following the law.
Where to get free help in New Hampshire
Two places help New Hampshire families at no cost:
Parent Training & Information Center (free, federally funded)
New Hampshire special-education agency
New Hampshire Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education Support
How to file a special-education complaint in New Hampshire
Mail a signed, written complaint to the NH DOE Special Education Complaint Office (25 Hall Street, Concord, NH 03301), send a copy to your school district, and file within 1 year. NH does not accept email submissions.
Your rights everywhere (federal law)
These IDEA rights apply in New Hampshire and every state. Start here:
Understand your child's IEP — line by line
IEP Path decodes the plan into plain language, flags what's weak or missing, and writes the letters — in English and Spanish.