One of the most powerful, yet underutilized, tools available to parents under federal law is the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE). When a child is struggling, a school district will typically conduct its own psychoeducational evaluation to determine eligibility for special education services (an IEP). But what happens if you disagree with the school's findings, or feel the evaluation missed a critical piece of the puzzle? That is where an IEE comes in.
What Is an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)?
An IEE is an evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the school district. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents have the right to request an IEE at public expense (meaning the school district pays for it) if they disagree with the evaluation completed by the school. While parents always have the option to pay for a private evaluation out of pocket, a publicly funded IEE ensures that financial barriers do not prevent a family from obtaining an accurate, unbiased second opinion.
When Should You Request an IEE?
Deciding to challenge a school's evaluation can feel daunting. However, there are several distinct scenarios where requesting an IEE is highly appropriate and clinically recommended to ensure your child receives the right support.
1. You Disagree with the Eligibility Decision
If the school's evaluation concludes that your child does not qualify for special education services, but your child continues to struggle significantly in the classroom, an IEE is warranted. School evaluations sometimes overlook subtle presentations of learning differences, ADHD, or autism. This is particularly evident in girls or highly intelligent children who have learned to mask their difficulties. An independent psychologist can provide a deeper, more specialized diagnostic lens.
2. The School's Evaluation Was Incomplete
A comprehensive evaluation must assess the child in all areas related to the suspected disability. If the school evaluated your child's reading and math skills but ignored their severe executive dysfunction, processing speed deficits, or social-emotional struggles, the evaluation is incomplete. You have the right to request an IEE to assess those overlooked areas.
3. The Recommendations Do Not Match Your Child's Needs
Sometimes, a school district's evaluation accurately identifies a disability, but the resulting report minimizes the impact of that disability on the child's daily learning. If the school's recommendations feel insufficient, such as offering basic accommodations when your child clearly needs intensive, specialized academic instruction, an IEE can provide an objective, clinical set of recommendations for the IEP team to consider.
4. You Suspect a Conflict of Interest or Lack of Objectivity
School psychologists are highly trained professionals, but they are also employees of the school district. Occasionally, resource limitations or systemic pressures can unconsciously influence the scope of a school's evaluation. An independent evaluator has no affiliation with the school district, meaning their sole focus is providing an objective, clinical profile of your child's unique brain and learning style.
How to Request an IEE: The Next Steps
If you have decided to pursue an IEE, the process begins with a formal, written request to your school district. In your letter or email, state clearly that you disagree with the school's recent evaluation and are requesting an Independent Educational Evaluation at public expense. Under federal law, once you make this request, the school district must act without unnecessary delay. They must either agree to fund the independent evaluation or file for a due process hearing to prove that their own evaluation was sufficiently comprehensive. In the vast majority of cases, school districts choose to fund the IEE.
Once approved, the district will provide you with a list of qualified local evaluators and the criteria the evaluator must meet (such as licensing and geographic limits). However, you are generally not restricted to their list, provided your chosen evaluator meets the district's basic credentialing criteria.
Final Thoughts
An evaluation is the foundation upon which your child's entire educational support system is built. If that foundation is flawed, incomplete, or inaccurate, the resulting support plan will not meet your child's needs. Advocating for an IEE is not about being adversarial; it is about ensuring that the team has the most accurate, comprehensive, and clinical understanding of your child. As a parent, your insights are invaluable, and you have the legal right to ensure your child's unique mind is fully understood and supported.