What is an Independent Educational Evaluation?

An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is an evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who does not work for the school district. Under IDEA (34 CFR §300.502), if you disagree with the school's evaluation, you have the right to request an IEE — and in many cases the district must pay for it.

When an IEE makes sense

• You believe the school's evaluation missed an area of need;
• You think the testing was incomplete, rushed, or didn't capture your child;
• The results don't match what you and outside providers see;
• You want an independent perspective before an important decision.

Who pays

When you request an IEE at public expense because you disagree with the district's evaluation, the district must, without unnecessary delay, either fund the IEE or file for a due process hearing to show its own evaluation was appropriate. It cannot simply ignore the request. The district may set reasonable criteria (qualifications, cost limits) similar to what it uses for its own evaluations, but it can't impose conditions that unreasonably block your right to an IEE.

How to request one

1. Put it in writing: state that you disagree with the district's evaluation and are requesting an IEE at public expense.
2. Ask for the district's IEE criteria and list of qualified examiners.
3. Keep the request dated and on record.

You are not required to explain why you disagree, though the district may ask. You also have the right to obtain a private evaluation at your own expense at any time, and the team must consider it.

What happens with the results

The IEP team must consider the IEE results in any decision about your child's education — though "consider" doesn't guarantee they'll adopt every recommendation. An independent evaluation frequently brings new information to the table and can reopen a decision that felt closed. It's one of the strongest tools a parent has when the picture of their child doesn't feel complete.

Dr. Long's Assistant answers your specific questions in plain language — built from Dr. Long's expertise, plus state and federal law read at the source — never the open internet.

Related questions

• What if I disagree with the school's evaluation?

← Browse all answers