Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs): An Overview

If you have recently heard the term Independent Educational Evaluation, or IEE, and are wondering what it means, you are not alone.

Parents and guardians often ask: Can I request an IEE? Who pays for it? Can the school deny it? What happens during an IEE? Do I get to choose the evaluator?

An IEE can be an important part of special education decision-making, but it is also one of the most misunderstood parts of special education law.

This article provides a factual overview of IEEs based on federal special education regulations. It is educational information, not legal advice, advocacy guidance, or district policy recommendation.

What is an Independent Educational Evaluation?

An Independent Educational Evaluation is an evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the school district responsible for the child’s education.

Under the federal special education law known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, parents have specific rights related to IEEs if they disagree with a school district’s evaluation.

The federal regulation defines an IEE as an evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the public agency.

When do parents usually request an IEE?

Parents most commonly request an IEE when they disagree with some part of a school district’s evaluation. Disagreement does not necessarily mean the district evaluation was wrong. It means a parent believes additional independent data may be helpful.

• Eligibility decisions
• Learning disability identification
• Autism assessment findings
• Attention or executive functioning concerns
• Speech and language results
• Cognitive or academic testing
• Social-emotional or behavioral assessment results
• Recommendations for services or placement

Can parents request an IEE at public expense?

Under IDEA, a parent has the right to request an IEE at public expense if the parent disagrees with an evaluation obtained by the public agency.

Public expense generally means the school district pays for the independent evaluation, subject to legal procedures and applicable criteria.

After a parent requests an IEE, the district generally has two options.

• Agree to fund the IEE at public expense.
• Request a due process hearing to show that its evaluation was appropriate.

If the district prevails in due process, parents may still obtain an independent evaluation privately, but it may not be district-funded.

Can a school district automatically deny an IEE?

Not simply because a parent requested one. Federal regulations require districts to respond without unnecessary delay by either providing the IEE at public expense or initiating due process to defend their evaluation.

Specific timelines may vary depending on state interpretation, hearing decisions, and local implementation. California families may wish to review guidance from the California Department of Education, Disability Rights California, or their procedural safeguards.

Do parents get to choose the evaluator?

Often yes, but districts may apply reasonable criteria. Those criteria are generally related to examiner qualifications, geographic location, licensing or credential requirements, cost limits, and availability.

These criteria must generally be consistent with the criteria the district uses when obtaining its own evaluations.

What does an IEE usually include?

An IEE can vary depending on the referral question and suspected area of disability. The scope depends on the questions being asked.

• Record review
• Parent interview
• Teacher input
• Standardized testing
• Classroom observations
• Behavioral rating scales
• Academic testing
• Cognitive assessment
• Social-emotional assessment

Is an IEE the same as a private evaluation?

Not exactly. A private evaluation is any assessment obtained outside the school system. An IEE is a specific type of private evaluation defined under IDEA.

Some IEEs are publicly funded. Others are privately funded. All IEEs are private evaluations, but not all private evaluations are IEEs.

Does the school have to accept an IEE?

Federal law states that if an IEE meets agency criteria, the results must be considered in decisions regarding eligibility, educational programming, and special education services.

Considered does not necessarily mean the school must adopt every recommendation. The IEP team reviews all relevant data, including district evaluations, classroom performance, teacher input, and independent evaluations.

Can parents request more than one IEE?

Generally, parents are entitled to one IEE at public expense each time the public agency conducts an evaluation with which the parent disagrees.

This is another area where case law and state guidance may affect interpretation.

Common questions parents search about IEEs

How long does an IEE take? Timelines vary depending on evaluator availability, complexity of referral questions, testing needs, record collection, and report writing. Some IEEs may take several weeks to several months.

Can I get an IEE for autism? Potentially, if autism-related concerns were part of the district evaluation and a parent disagrees with those findings.

Can I request an IEE after my child is denied special education? Potentially, if the denial was based on a district evaluation with which the parent disagrees.

Can I request an IEE for dyslexia or ADHD? Potentially, depending on the evaluation conducted and the area of disagreement. ADHD itself is a medical diagnosis, but school evaluations may assess attention, executive functioning, and educational impact.

Final thoughts

An Independent Educational Evaluation is designed to provide additional assessment data when parents disagree with a school district’s evaluation.

The purpose of an IEE is not to win a disagreement. It is to obtain additional independent information that may help educational teams make informed decisions.

Understanding the process, timelines, and legal framework can help families participate more confidently in educational planning.

About Independent Educational Evaluations in Sacramento

At Avenir Psychological Services, a private psychology practice in Sacramento, we provide comprehensive Independent Educational Evaluations with questions related to autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, specific learning disorders, executive functioning, social-emotional and behavioral concerns, and complex school-based eligibility questions.

Our evaluations are grounded in current research, standardized assessment practices, and federal special education guidelines. Families, educational teams, and referral professionals seeking an Independent Educational Evaluation in Sacramento or a private educational assessment in Northern California can learn more through a free consult call.