5W’s Of Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)

There could be times when parents may feel unsatisfied with the results declared by the school in concern to their ward. Disagreement in such cases is only obvious if nothing else. This may lead to a worrisome situation for families and children. Therefore, Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is the answer to these segmented woes.

The right to an IEE is a fundamental part of the IDEA. This special hearing help parents or legal guardians, recheck with the child’s school about what he/she has learned. It can also help if they’re struggling academically or if the parents feel that their results even after school’s evaluation are incompetent and inconsiderable. 

Therefore, in this blog post, we will discuss everything related to IEE and how can legal guardians go about it. Explore more below.

Independent educational evaluation: The what and why explored

Independent Educational Evaluation, or IEE, refers to an evaluation conducted by a qualified professional who is not employed by the student’s school district. The purpose of an IEE is to provide an objective assessment of the student’s educational needs to determine appropriate educational placement and/or services.

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An IEE may be requested when the student’s parents or guardians disagree with an evaluation completed by the school district. Once the IEE is completed, the results are shared with the school district. The school district must then consider the IEE results when making decisions about the student’s educational placement and services. It is important to choose an IEE provider who is experienced in conducting evaluations for students with disabilities.

Who has the legal right to request an IEE?

According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), any parent or school district staff member who has concerns about a student’s eligibility for special education services has the right to request an independent educational evaluation (IEE). An IEE is an assessment conducted by a qualified professional who is not employed by the school district. The purpose of an IEE is to provide an objective, unbiased opinion about the student’s needs and whether they are being properly served by the current Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Parents have the right to request an IEE at any time, but the school district is not required to pay for it unless they agree that the student might benefit from it. If the school district denies the request, the parent can file a due process complaint to have the decision reviewed. The legal right to request an IEE belongs to the student and/or the student’s parents.

However, there are some circumstances in which a school district may refuse to provide an IEE. For example, a school district may refuse to provide an IEE if it can demonstrate that its evaluation procedures are adequate and that the resulting assessment is appropriate. Additionally, a school district may also refuse to provide an IEE if the student has already been evaluated using an appropriate assessment procedure.

Where to get it?

Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) are performed by experts who are not employed by the child’s school district. In order to get an IEE, you must first request one from the school district. Notably, if the school district refuses to provide you with an IEE, you have the right to file a due process complaint.

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Additionally, the school district may also be asked to appear for a hearing justifying how and why their evaluation stands correct or justifiable (if at all) with proper and original records to support and prove their statement. If the school fails to do so, the hearing officer may order the school to pay for the child’s IEE fee.

The process of an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) begins…

  • The parent requests an evaluation from the school district.
  • The school district must provide the parent with a list of at least three qualified independent evaluators.
  • Once the parent chooses an evaluator, the school district must provide funding for the evaluation.
  • The evaluation must be conducted by a qualified professional not employed by the school district.
  • After the evaluation is complete, the evaluator will provide a written report to the parent and the school district.
  • The report will include a diagnosis, if appropriate, as well as recommendations for educational programming.
  • Ultimately, it is up to the school district to decide whether or not to implement the recommendations of the IEE.

However, if the school district declines to do so, they must explain their reasoning in writing to the parent.

By law, all parents have the right to request an IEE, and they should be aware of this process in order to advocate for their child’s education.

As a parent, it is your legal right to request an IEE from the school district. Read the points below to discover more about the situation.

  • If your child has been diagnosed with a disability, you have the legal right to request an IEE. An IEE is an independent evaluation of your child’s abilities, needs, and progress.
  • You may request an IEE if you disagree with your child’s initial evaluation results or if you feel that the current educational program is not meeting your child’s needs. An IEE can provide important information that can help you make decisions about your child’s education.
  • If you are considering requesting an IEE, you should first contact your child’s school to discuss your concerns. If you can still not resolve your issues, you may request an IEE at any time.
  • To request an IEE, you should contact the school district in which you live and request a copy of the district’s procedures for requesting an IEE. Once you have obtained the district’s procedures, you will need to follow the steps outlined in order to request an IEE.
  • It is important to note that you have the right to an IEE at public expense, but you may be required to pay for the cost of the evaluation if you choose to have it conducted by a private provider.

If you have any questions about requesting an IEE, you should contact an attorney who specializes in special education law.

When should you request an IEE for your child?

IEE can be issued and made use of under certain requirements. Below added are some specific reasons when and why you can consider IEE for your child.

  • You disagree with the school’s evaluation of your child. In other words, you think that the school’s testing was not accurate and that it failed to find out what your child’s real strengths and weaknesses are.
  • The school recommends a very different educational program for your child than what you think is appropriate. For example, the school might recommend a special education program when you feel your child could do well in a regular education classroom with some supportive services.
  • You want your child to have an IEE because you are not sure about the school’s evaluation and recommendations, and you want another opinion to help you make decisions about your child’s education.
  • You feel that the school district does not employ qualified evaluators for a specific evaluation. And perhaps feel that the school’s special educator quotient is partially botched.

Verdict

An IEE can be an important tool for parents and guardians to ensure that their child receives the appropriate educational services. It is important to note, however, that an IEE is not a cure-all; even if the results of an IEE differ from those of the school district’s evaluation, the student may still not be eligible for special education services.

Takeaway

The purpose of an individual education evaluation (IEE) is to provide parents with an independent assessment of their child’s educational needs. An IEE can be conducted by a variety of professionals, including psychologists, psychiatrists, and educational consultants. The evaluation process typically includes a review of the child’s academic records, a clinical interview with the child and family, and the administration of standardized tests. After the evaluation, the professional will provide a written report that includes educational services and intervention recommendations. 

Parents often request an IEE when they feel that their child is not making adequate progress in school or when they disagree with the results of a school-based evaluation. While an IEE can be costly, it can provide invaluable information that can help ensure that a child receives the best possible education. So, if you are a parent or guardian of a child with special needs, it is important to be familiar with your rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). If you have any questions about whether or not your child is eligible for an IEE or if you need help in requesting one, please contact an experienced special education attorney.

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