What Is an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)?
When you have concerns about your child’s educational needs, understanding the results of a school evaluation can be an important first step. But what happens if you disagree with the school’s findings or believe the evaluation did not fully identify your child’s needs?
An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) can provide another perspective.
What Is an Independent Educational Evaluation?
An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is an assessment of a child conducted by a qualified professional who does not work for the child’s school district.
Think of an IEE as an independent second opinion. It may be requested when a parent disagrees with an evaluation conducted by the school district or believes the evaluation did not adequately address their child’s educational needs.
Depending on the circumstances, an IEE may help provide additional information about areas such as learning, development, behavior, communication, or other educational needs.
Your Right to an IEE at Public Expense
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents have the right to request an IEE at public expense if they disagree with an evaluation obtained by the public agency.
Public expense means that, when the legal requirements are met, the school district—not the parent—is responsible for the cost of the independent evaluation.
This right can be especially important when a parent believes the school’s evaluation:
Did not accurately reflect their child’s abilities or challenges
Did not assess an area of suspected need
Did not provide enough information to determine the child’s educational needs
Reached conclusions the parent disagrees with
An IEE can give parents additional information to consider when participating in the special education process and making decisions about their child’s education.
Why Might a Parent Request an IEE?
Parents know their children well, and sometimes they may notice difficulties that are not fully reflected in a school evaluation.
An independent evaluation can provide another professional perspective and may identify information that can help the parent and school better understand the child’s needs.
An IEE does not automatically mean that the school’s evaluation was incorrect. Rather, it provides an opportunity for an independent professional to conduct an assessment and offer additional information.
Understanding Your Rights
If you disagree with a school district’s evaluation, you do not necessarily have to accept the results without question. IDEA provides parents with important procedural safeguards, including the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation under certain circumstances.
Because the rules surrounding IEEs can be complex, parents should understand their rights and the requirements that apply to their particular situation.
When you believe your child’s evaluation does not tell the whole story, an IEE may provide an important second perspective.