Independent Educational Evaluations
What is an IEE in special education?
An independent educational evaluation (IEE) is an evaluation done by a qualified evaluator who does not work for the school district. Under federal special education law, parents can ask for one at public expense when they disagree with the district’s evaluation, and the district must either pay for it or ask for a due process hearing to show its own evaluation was appropriate.
IEE vs. IEP: what’s the difference?
An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is the plan the school team writes for a student in special education: their goals, services, accommodations and placement.
An IEE (Independent Educational Evaluation) is an outside assessment that informs that plan. The IEP team has to consider the IEE results when it makes decisions, but the IEE itself isn’t a plan or a placement.
How to request an IEE
- 1
Put it in writing
Send the request to the district’s director of special education, and keep a copy. Email works.
- 2
Say which evaluation you disagree with
Name the district assessment and its date. You don’t have to explain why you disagree.
- 3
Ask for the district’s criteria
The district can set qualifications and location requirements for evaluators, the same ones it uses for its own staff.
- 4
Wait for the district’s answer
Without unnecessary delay, it either agrees to fund the IEE or files for a due process hearing to defend its evaluation.
Sample IEE request letter
Copy this, fill in the brackets and send it to your district. It’s a starting point, not legal advice.
[Date] To: [Director of Special Education], [School District] Re: Request for an Independent Educational Evaluation for [student’s name], date of birth [date], [school] I am the parent of [student’s name]. I disagree with the [type of assessment, for example psychoeducational] assessment the district completed on [date]. Under 34 CFR § 300.502 and California Education Code § 56329(b), I am requesting an independent educational evaluation at public expense. Please send me the district’s criteria for independent evaluators, and let me know whether the district will fund the IEE or file for due process. Sincerely, [Your name] [Phone] · [Email]
How an IEE usually works
- 1
The family disagrees with the district’s evaluation
Parents can request an IEE at public expense, usually in writing. The district can ask why, but it can’t require an explanation.
- 2
The district responds
Without unnecessary delay, the district either agrees to fund the IEE (often sharing its evaluator criteria and cost guidelines) or files for due process to defend its own evaluation.
- 3
The independent evaluation
A qualified evaluator who doesn’t work for the district reviews records, observes, interviews the family and staff, and tests the student.
- 4
The report and the IEP meeting
The evaluator shares the report with the family and the district, and the IEP team must consider the results. I attend the meeting to present my findings and answer questions.
What I evaluate
- Full psychoeducational evaluations: cognitive abilities, processing, social emotional, adaptive and transition/vocational
- Academic achievement
- ERMHS / ERIC educationally related mental health assessments
- Assistive technology, including AAC devices and supports for dyslexia
Testing in the student’s language
Federal law requires assessments to be given in the student’s native language or the form of communication most likely to give accurate results, unless that is clearly not feasible. I evaluate in Spanish and English and explain results to families in the language they’re most comfortable with.
Who I work with on IEEs
- Families with an approved IEEIf your district has agreed to fund an IEE, you can ask for me by name.
- Educational attorneys and advocatesIndependent, thorough evaluations for your clients, with reports that hold up and clear testimony at the IEP table.
- Districts and SELPAsAdd an experienced independent evaluator to the list you share with families who request an IEE.
I take IEEs in Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties.
Common questions
What does IEE stand for?
Independent Educational Evaluation. It’s an evaluation of a student done by a qualified evaluator who doesn’t work for the school district.
Who pays for an IEE?
When a district agrees to an IEE at public expense, the district pays the evaluator, within the cost criteria it uses for its own evaluations. Families are entitled to one IEE at public expense each time the district does an evaluation they disagree with.
Can a family choose the evaluator?
Generally yes, as long as the evaluator meets the district’s criteria, such as qualifications and location. Districts often share a list of evaluators, but families usually aren’t limited to it.
Do you evaluate in Spanish?
Yes. I assess in Spanish and English and can meet with families in either language.
Do you attend the IEP meeting?
Yes. I present my findings, answer questions from the team and the family, and stand behind my report.
How long does an IEE take?
It depends on the case and on the district’s agreement. I’ll give you a realistic timeline before we start.
Have an IEE to schedule?
Tell me about the student, the areas to evaluate and your timeline.
Contact meThis page is general information about special education law, not legal advice.
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