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Special education in Maryland

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

Special education in Maryland

Special education is called
Special Education
The IEP meeting
IEP team meeting
Eligibility team
IEP team
Evaluation timeline
60 calendar days. 60 days from consent and no more than 90 days from written referral (COMAR 13A.05.01.06)
IEP timeline
30 days (federal)
Transition planning starts
14 (being checked)
Rights transfer to the student at
18
Developmental delay category
3 to 7 (child count)
Dyslexia law
yes: Educ. 4-136 (Ready to Read Act, 2019): K screening, grades 1-3 as needed, for reading difficulties incl. dyslexia

Find your district and schools

25 districts and charter districts. 105 special education schools and 50 public charter schools.

Get your Hall PassSchools in MarylandServices for children in Maryland (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
Ombudsman

Free help for families

Parent centers

Disability rights agency

Advocacy groups in Maryland

Paying for it

Medicaid for children
Maryland Medicaid (HealthChoice)
CHIP
Maryland Children's Health Program (MCHP)
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
yes (limited services for all Medicaid-enrolled students)
Autism insurance law
yes. habilitative services; under 19
Scholarship or ESA for students with disabilities
general-limited: BOOST voucher (income-limited)

How school, Medicaid and insurance fit together

How Maryland 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 22 of 51

State of Support

B

Rank 10 of 51

Combined

B-

Rank 14 of 51

PillarGrade
Following the lawC
Learning togetherC
ResultsD+
School fundingB-
Family protectionsA-
Options and transitionD+

IDEA determination 2026: Needs Assistance (1 year). 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.