Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) vs. School Evaluation
Parents have the right to an outside evaluation if they disagree with the school's findings. Knowing your IEE rights is one of the most powerful tools in your advocacy toolkit.
A qualified professional chosen by the parent (outside the school district)
School district staff (school psychologist, speech-language pathologist, etc.)
The school district must pay if the parent disagrees with the school's evaluation (at public expense)
Always at the school district's expense
When you disagree with the school's evaluation results or believe the evaluation was inadequate
Initial evaluation for eligibility, triennial re-evaluation, or when a new concern arises
Evaluator has no relationship with the school — may provide a more objective view
Conducted by employees of the district — potential conflict of interest
Must consider IEE results; must pay unless they file for due process to defend their own evaluation
Must conduct within 60 days (or state timeline) of receiving parental consent
Guaranteed by IDEA — 34 C.F.R. § 300.502
34 C.F.R. § 300.301–300.311
One IEE at public expense per school evaluation you disagree with
School must evaluate in all areas of suspected disability
The Bottom Line
If you disagree with the school's evaluation, don't just accept it. Request an IEE at public expense. The district must either pay for it or file for due process to prove their evaluation was appropriate. Most districts will pay rather than go to hearing.
More Comparisons
Both protect students with disabilities, but they come from different laws and offer different levels of support. Understanding the difference is critical for choosing the right path for your child.
These two go hand-in-hand. An FBA figures out WHY a behavior is happening; a BIP creates a plan to address it. You can't have an effective BIP without a thorough FBA.
Two different federal laws that both protect students with disabilities — but with very different scopes, eligibility criteria, and enforcement mechanisms.
Both help students with disabilities access education, but they work very differently. This distinction matters because modifications can affect grading, diplomas, and standardized testing.
When you disagree with the school, these are two formal dispute resolution options under IDEA. They're very different in tone, cost, and outcome.
These two disability categories are often confused but are fundamentally different. Understanding the distinction affects eligibility, services, goals, and educational placement.
Both involve educating children with disabilities alongside their non-disabled peers, but the philosophy and implementation are quite different.
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