Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)
An evaluation conducted by a qualified professional who does not work for the school. You have the right to request an IEE at the school's expense if you disagree with the school's evaluation.
Federal rule: 34 CFR § 300.502 — Independent educational evaluation
Where IEE shows up in your IEP
An IEE is not part of the IEP form. It appears first as the district evaluation report you disagree with, then as your written request and the criteria sheet the district sends back, and finally as an outside report filed with the eligibility paperwork. Once that report exists, the meeting minutes should show the team considering it.
What to ask at the meeting
- What are the district's criteria for an evaluator, and may I have them in writing?
- At which meeting will the independent report be considered, and who will be there?
- What happens to my current services while the outside evaluation is underway?
Red flags
- Your written request sits for weeks with neither funding nor a due process filing.
- You are handed two evaluator names and told that no others will be accepted.
- You are told to explain your disagreement before the request will be processed at all.
Example
After the district found no math disability, Jonah's mother wrote one short paragraph asking for an independent evaluation at public expense. The district answered in nine days with its criteria and a funding letter. The outside evaluator tested working memory, which the first report had skipped entirely, and those scores produced a math goal at the next meeting.
Common questions
Does the school have to pay for it?
If you disagree with the district's evaluation, you have the right to an independent one at public expense. The district must respond without unnecessary delay by either funding it or requesting a hearing to defend its own evaluation; it cannot decline and leave the request sitting.
Do I have to say why I disagree?
The district may ask, and you may answer if you want to. It cannot require an explanation and it cannot use your silence to justify a delay. One sentence naming the report and its date is enough to start things moving.
How many can I get?
One at public expense each time the district completes an evaluation you disagree with. You can always arrange an evaluation privately as well, and the team has to consider it when making decisions about your child as long as it meets the same evaluator criteria the district applies to its own (§ 300.502(c)(1)).
Related Terms
Evaluation
A comprehensive assessment to determine if your child has a disability and qualifies for special education. It looks at all areas of suspected disability and must use multiple methods, not just a single test.
Procedural Safeguards
A set of rights that protect you and your child during the special education process. These include the right to participate in meetings, access records, give or refuse consent, and resolve disagreements. The school must give you a copy of these rights at least once a year.
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Check the Whole IEP — Free →This glossary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Definitions are simplified for parent-friendly understanding and may not reflect the full legal text. Consult a qualified attorney or advocate for advice about your specific situation.