K12 Atlaspowered by ConnectIDD
In crisis? Call or text 988 Add or update a listing (on Disability Atlas) Español
Display settings
Text size
Other settings

Saved on this device only.

Special education in Alabama

What Alabama calls special education, how long each step takes, who to call, free help, paying for services, and how the state scores.

Special education in Alabama

Special education is called
Special Education
The IEP meeting
IEP Team meeting
Eligibility team
Eligibility committee
Evaluation timeline
60 calendar days. From receipt of signed consent; eligibility decision within 30 more calendar days (Ala. Admin. Code 290-8-9-.02, per secondary source)
IEP timeline
30 calendar days (federal)
Transition planning starts
16 (verified ALSDE)
Rights transfer to the student at
19 (Alabama age of majority)
Developmental delay category
3 to 8 (child count shows ages 3 to 8)
Dyslexia law
yes: State Board dyslexia rule requires K-3 universal screening for characteristics of dyslexia (Ala. Admin. Code 290-3-1-.02); Alabama Literacy Act 2019 K-3 screening
State categories
Gifted is served under the state special education chapter (290-8-9)

Find your district and schools

159 districts and charter districts. 42 special education schools and 23 public charter schools.

Get your Hall PassSchools in AlabamaServices for children in Alabama (on Disability Atlas)

The state office and your options when you disagree

State special education office
Procedural safeguards (your rights notice)
Mediation
State complaint
Due process

Free help for families

Parent centers

Disability rights agency

Advocacy groups in Alabama

Paying for it

Medicaid for children
Alabama Medicaid
CHIP
ALL Kids
Apply
Medicaid for children with disabilities, whatever the family's income
yes (KFF 2026: state plan option or comparable waiver); program not named in sources checked
Schools bill Medicaid for health services
no
Autism insurance law
yes. 18 and under; behavioral therapy caps $40,000 (0 to 9), $30,000 (10 to 13), $20,000 (14 to 18) per year
Scholarship or ESA for students with disabilities
universal: CHOOSE Act ESA (eligibility universal from 2027-28; income-limited before); Alabama Accountability Act tax-credit scholarship; refundable tax credit
Program page

How school, Medicaid and insurance fit together

How Alabama scores

First edition. These grades are new (November 2026) and the weights may still change. Texas graduation data is being confirmed with the state.

State of Schools

C+

Rank 8 of 51

State of Support

D-

Rank 43 of 51

Combined

C-

Rank 37 of 51

PillarGrade
Following the lawB
Learning togetherB+
ResultsC+
School fundingC-
Family protectionsC
Options and transitionC

IDEA determination 2026: Meets. How we grade.

Sources for this page are listed in the K12 Atlas research tables (state terms, state help, paying for it). Items marked "being checked" are waiting on a primary source.

Last reviewed: November 2026. Rules, programs and phone numbers change. Check with the office named on this page. Report outdated or wrong information.