Overview
Schools must evaluate before providing special education services. Parents who disagree with that evaluation have the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at public expense in most cases.
An IEE is outside testing by a qualified examiner not employed by the district. The results carry the same weight as the school's evaluation at the IEP table. The process sounds simple on paper. In practice, districts may push back, limit evaluator choice, or downplay findings at the next meeting.
Key points
- You can disagree with a school evaluation in writing.
- The district must either fund an IEE or file for a due process hearing.
- IEE results should inform goals, services, and placement.
- Compare school and private reports before you accept the team's conclusions.
What advocates do for IEE requests
Advocates help you use evaluation data as leverage, not background noise. They are not evaluators themselves, but they know how teams read scores and where districts commonly stall.
Review existing reports
They compare school testing, private evaluations, and classroom work samples. They flag missing assessments, outdated data, or conclusions that do not match teacher reports.
Request the IEE
They help you write a clear disagreement letter, choose evaluator criteria, and respond if the district asks you to meet before approving funding. If the school refuses, they explain your options under IDEA.
Use results at the IEP meeting
After the IEE, they help translate recommendations into specific IEP goals, related services, and accommodations. They also tie the process back to how IEP eligibility works if the team tries to narrow services.
When parents hire for evaluation disputes
Common triggers include a school finding of "no disability" when you have a private diagnosis, scores that show average ability but failing grades, a rushed re-evaluation before annual review, or a district that will not assess in all areas of suspected disability.
Evaluation fights often surface during IEP and 504 meetings. If the team will not budge after the IEE, the next step may be mediation or a state complaint.
For a broader look at advocate fees and scope, see what special education advocacy costs.
Frequently asked questions
An IEE is an outside evaluation paid for by the school district when parents disagree with the school's evaluation. It is conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the district.
Consider an IEE when school testing conflicts with private diagnoses, when scores do not match classroom performance, when the evaluation was incomplete, or when the team used the results to deny services you believe your child needs.
Yes. Advocates help you compare school and private reports, draft the request, respond if the district files for a due process hearing to block the IEE, and use the results at the next IEP meeting.
Find an advocate for evaluation support
Search advocates who help with evaluations, IEE requests, and IEP meetings in your area.