Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) Request

An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) Request is a formal request by a parent or guardian for an evaluation of their child by a qualified professional who is not employed by the school district. The parent may request an IEE if they disagree with the results of an evaluation conducted by the district, or if they believe that the district’s evaluation was not sufficiently comprehensive. The district must respond to the request within a certain timeframe and must either agree to fund the IEE or file for a due process hearing to defend its own evaluation. If the district agrees to fund the IEE, the parent has the right to choose the evaluator, as long as they meet the district’s criteria for qualifications and reasonable cost. The results of the IEE must be considered by the district in any decisions made about the student’s eligibility, program, or placement. The IEE Request is an important safeguard for ensuring that parents have access to an objective and independent assessment of their child’s needs.