If you, as a parent, disagree with your child's school district evaluation, you have the legal right to challenge the results and request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE). An IEE is conducted by an outside professional and is often funded by the school district. The purpose of an IEE is to provide additional expertise and an objective perspective to ensure your child’s unique learning needs are fully understood and met.

The Family Guidance and Therapy Center offers IEEs in several areas, including social/emotional development, speech and language, cognitive functioning, behavioral assessments, adaptive behavior, and psychoeducational evaluations. These evaluations are tailored to provide comprehensive insights into your child’s needs and offer actionable recommendations for supporting their learning and growth.

Parents may request an IEE for various reasons, such as believing their child should qualify for special education services but being told they do not, disagreeing with the results or conclusions of the school district's assessment, or feeling that their child’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) is not being implemented correctly. Other reasons include concerns about biased results, inadequate services, or confusion regarding the district’s findings and recommendations. An IEE provides an opportunity for an objective assessment by an expert who will take the time to understand your child’s unique needs.