Understanding Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs): A Parent’s Guide to Getting the Answers Your Child Deserves

When something isn’t adding up in your child’s school experience—when the data feels thin, the evaluation feels incomplete, or your gut says “we’re missing something”—you’re not being difficult. You’re being a parent. And one of the strongest tools available to you in the special education process is the Independent Educational Evaluation, often called an IEE.

This guide breaks down what an IEE is, when you might request one, what schools are required to do, and how to use the results to strengthen your child’s IEP.

What Is an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)?

An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a qualified professional who is not employed by the school district.

Families typically request an IEE when they:

• Disagree with the school’s evaluation

• Believe the school’s evaluation was incomplete

• Feel the school missed an area of need

• Want a second opinion from a specialist with deeper expertise

An IEE can assess areas such as:

• Cognitive abilities

• Academic achievement

• Speech and language

• Occupational therapy needs

• Behavior and social‑emotional functioning

• Autism evaluations

• Assistive technology needs

Your Legal Rights: What Schools Must Do

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents have the right to request an IEE at public expense if they disagree with the school’s evaluation.

When you request an IEE, the school must:

1. Agree to fund the IEE, or

2. File for due process to defend their evaluation

They must respond without unnecessary delay. They cannot:

• Require you to explain why you disagree

• Stall the process

• Force you to use only their preferred evaluators

• Cap the number of IEEs you can request over time

They can provide reasonable criteria—like evaluator qualifications or geographic limits—but these must be applied fairly.

When Should You Consider Requesting an IEE?

Parents often seek an IEE when:

• The school’s evaluation feels rushed or surface‑level

• The report doesn’t match what you see at home

• The school didn’t test in all areas of suspected disability

• The evaluation used outdated tools

• The recommendations don’t address your child’s real challenges

• You want a specialist with deeper expertise (e.g., dyslexia, autism, AAC)

If your child’s IEP goals aren’t improving year after year, an IEE can also help uncover what’s missing.

How to Request an IEE (Sample Script)

Here’s a simple, clear way to put your request in writing:

"Hello,

I am writing to formally request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at public expense. I am requesting this because I disagree with the district’s most recent evaluation of my child. Please provide the district’s IEE procedures, including evaluator criteria, without unnecessary delay.

Thank you."

That’s it. No justification. No debate. No extra explanation required.

What Happens After the IEE?

Once the independent evaluator completes the assessment:

• You receive the full report

• The school must hold an IEP meeting to consider the results

• The team must discuss the recommendations

• The school is not required to adopt every suggestion, but they cannot ignore the report

Families often find that IEEs lead to:

• More accurate diagnoses

• Stronger, more targeted IEP goals

• Better accommodations and supports

• Clearer understanding of behavior or learning needs

• Access to services the school previously denied

Final Thoughts

Requesting an IEE is not a confrontation—it’s advocacy. It’s a way to ensure your child’s needs are fully understood so their IEP can actually help them grow, learn, and thrive.

If you’ve ever walked out of an evaluation meeting thinking, “This doesn’t feel complete,” trust that instinct. An IEE can give you clarity, confidence, and a roadmap that finally makes sense.

Helpful Resources for Families

Federal Guidance

• U.S. Department of Education: IEE Guidance Under IDEA

• IDEA Regulations: §300.502 – Independent Educational Evaluation

Parent-Friendly Resources

• Wrightslaw: Independent Educational Evaluations

• Center for Parent Information & Resources (CPIR): Evaluation & Reevaluation

• Understood.org: What Is an IEE?

• State Department of Education: Special Education Procedural Safeguards (include your state’s link)

Connecticut-Specific Resources (since your audience is local)

• CT State Department of Education: Special Education Resources

• CT Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC): Evaluation & IEP Support

• CT Procedural Safeguards Notice