Understanding an IEE: Independent Educational Evaluation
An Independent Educational Evaluation is one that is conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the school district. Public expense means that the school district either pays for the full expense of the evaluation or ensures that the evaluation is provided at no cost to you. If you request an private evaluation, the school district must provide you with information as to how and where you may obtain the evaluation and about the school district’s criteria. The school district may ask you why you object to the evaluation that they performed but you are not required to provide an explanation and they may not delay providing you the independent educational evaluation becuase you fail to provide an explanation. You are entitled to only ONE independent educational evaluation of your child at public expense each time your school districts conducts an evaluation of your child and you disagree with the results. This usually equals one private assessment per year. If you obtain an independent educational evaluation of your child, your school district must consider the results of the evaluation. You may also present the results of the private evaluation as evidence at a due process hearing. If a hearing officer requests an independent educational evaluation of your child as part of a due process hearing, the cost of the evaluation must be at public expense.
An independent educational evaluation can be a valuable tool for parents. If you feel the school district's evaluation results do not reflect your child's disability, an IEE can provide you with data that supports your concerns. If you find yourself in disagreement with the recommendations of the IEP team, requesting and independent evaluation should be your next step in the negotiating process. IEP collaboration techniques can also be of great value to a parent when negotiating for services during an IEP meeting.
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