An Independent Educational Evaluation is an assessment conducted by a qualified professional outside the school district. Under IDEA, parents have the right to request an IEE at public expense if they disagree with the school's evaluation of their child. The district must either pay for the IEE or file for a due process hearing to prove its own evaluation was appropriate. Parents can also obtain IEEs privately at their own expense at any time. IEEs are valuable when parents believe the school underidentified their child's needs, missed a diagnosis, or recommended insufficient services. The IEP team must consider IEE results, though they are not required to follow all recommendations.
An IEE can uncover needs the school missed, leading to stronger IEP services. The same evaluation data supports waiver applications by documenting the level of support your child needs.