What is an Independent Educational Evaluation for My Child?

What's happening

Your child is receiving special education services, and you may have concerns about their current evaluations conducted by the school. You are wondering about an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) and how it might give you a clearer understanding of your child's needs. An IEE is an evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the school district. It becomes an option when you disagree with the results or recommendations of the school's evaluation. Understanding how an IEE works can help you decide if it's the right step for your child.

Why it happens

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents have the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation at public expense if they disagree with a school's evaluation. This framework is designed to ensure that evaluations are comprehensive and objective, allowing parents to seek a second opinion. The rationale for an IEE lies in providing parents with an external check that can confirm, clarify, or expand on the findings from a school's evaluation, thus ensuring their child receives appropriate services.

What parents should know

• You have the right to request an IEE if you disagree with the school's evaluation.
• Under IDEA, schools are generally required to inform parents of where an IEE can be obtained.
• The school district may ask why you object to the original evaluation, but they cannot delay or deny the IEE due to lack of explanation.
• If the IEE is funded by the public school, it should meet the same criteria as the school's evaluations.
• You can choose a private evaluator, but the school may have list requirements or criteria they generally prefer to follow.

What you can do next

1. Write a formal request to the school for an Independent Educational Evaluation at public expense.
2. Research qualified independent evaluators who specialize in your child's specific needs.
3. Prepare to discuss your concerns and the reasons you are seeking an IEE with the evaluator.
4. Review the results thoroughly once the IEE is completed and prepare questions or next steps for your IEP team meeting.
5. Document every communication and decision made about the IEE for future reference.

In summary

You're not alone in wanting the best for your child. Requesting an Independent Educational Evaluation is an empowering step to ensure your child's educational needs are fully understood. Once the evaluation is complete, engage with your IEP team to explore potential adjustments. This is educational information, not legal advice. To help you prepare for future IEP meetings, consider using our free IEP Readiness tool, which can assist you in assessing your child's current IEP status.