I Requested an IEE: What Happens Next?

You requested an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE), so what happens next? The school district has two options: They can grant or deny your request.

GRANT your request

Congratulations! You may now select who completes your evaluation. Your district may provide you with a list of names. However, remember that YOU select who completes your child’s evaluation. The person you choose needs to meet your school district’s qualifications. This often includes having an office within a certain radius of the school district. In our area, this is generally a 75-mile radius. If you do not know your district’s guidelines, just ask! In the hope that your child attends a California school within a 75-miles of Woodland Hills, Simi Valley, or Bakersfield, please consider our agency. You can learn more about our comprehensive testing services on our main website.

After the Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is complete another IEP meeting is held to review the results and examine eligibility for special education services. Your evaluator is now part of your IEP Team. However, it is important to know that they are independent and not an advocate for you, rather an advocate of their findings. At the IEP Team meeting following an IEE, we strongly encourage families to have a professional well versed on special education law to advocate for their rights (e.g., attorney, advocate). With your consent, this person can speak with your IEE examiner prior to the IEP meeting.

DENY your request

If a request is denied, then the school district must schedule a Special Education Hearing (proceed to due process) to defend their decision. Should this happen, we recommend speaking with a special education attorney. The hearing officer will then make one of two decisions.

• They can GRANT your request for the district to pay for your Independent Educational Evaluation.
• They can DENY your request. If denied, you are still able to get an IEE that the district will need to consider. However, the IEE will be at your expense.

What if my school district denies my request AND fails to file for a due process hearing? In the event that this happens, we suggest bringing your awareness of the violation to the district’s attention. This should be done in writing and remember to get proof that your letter was received. Also, you may choose to include that the district reconsiders your IEE request.

Here is a SAMPLE IEE DENIAL RESPONSE letter that may help give you some ideas on what to write.

Attorney Assistance

If you experience difficulty at any point along the way or feel like you need additional support from someone more educated on this process, we strongly suggest contacting an attorney that specializes in special education law. These professionals know education law and your rights!

Requesting Special Education Blog Series

This post is part blog series about the evaluation for special education process. For additional information on this process, you may find it helpful to review one or more of our posts in this 4-part series:

1. Does My Child Need an IEP? What is an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and does my child need one?
2. Request an Evalution for Special Education Services. This post explains how to request an evaluation for special education and includes a sample letter to request a free evaluation from your district.
3. The Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) Process. If you disagree with the results of your IEP, you have the right to request a “second opinion” by the examiner of your choice. This post explains that process and provides you with a sample letter to request a free evaluation from your district. If your child attends school within 75-miles of one of our California locations (Bakersfield, Simi Valley, or Woodland Hills), you can select our agency to help your family.
4.  I Requested an IEE: What Happens Next? The school district may grant or deny your IEE request. Learn more about that process in this post.