Private Evaluations & IEEs: When and How to Request One
By: Rachel Nicholson, Advocate
Parents often hear the terms private evaluation and IEE used as if they mean the same thing, but under special education law they are different. Understanding how they differ, and when each makes sense, can help families advocate more confidently and effectively for their child.
A private evaluation is one a parent chooses to obtain on their own. Families often pursue private testing when they feel a school evaluation missed something important, was too limited, or did not fully explain their child’s learning, attention, or behavioral needs. Private evaluations can be done at any time, and parents have the right to share them with the school. The IEP team must consider the information, though the school is not required to adopt every recommendation.
An Independent Educational Evaluation, or IEE, is a private evaluation that is paid for by the school district. Parents have the right to request an IEE when they disagree with a school evaluation. This point is important. Parents do not need to prove the evaluation was wrong or poorly done. Disagreement alone is enough under the law.
An IEE request must be connected to a specific district evaluation. That means the school has already evaluated in that area, and the parent believes the evaluation was not comprehensive or appropriate. Once an IEE is requested, the district must either agree to fund it or file for due process to defend its evaluation. The district cannot delay, ignore the request, or require a meeting as a condition of responding, even though many districts ask to talk things through first.
Parents are not required to provide a detailed explanation for their disagreement, but a brief explanation can be helpful. Many parents explain that the evaluation did not assess all areas of concern, relied on limited data, or did not fully capture how their child functions day to day.
If the district agrees to fund the IEE, it may set reasonable guidelines for cost and evaluator qualifications. Parents do not have to choose from a district list, but the evaluator must meet those criteria unless the district agrees otherwise.
When an IEE is completed, the school must consider the results at an IEP meeting. This means discussing the findings and how they affect eligibility, goals, services, and supports. While the school does not have to follow every recommendation, it should be able to clearly explain its decisions.
Private evaluations and IEEs are tools, not weapons. Requesting one does not mean a parent is being difficult or adversarial. It means the parent is asking for better information so the team can make better decisions. When used thoughtfully, evaluations can bring clarity, reduce guesswork, and help ensure that a child’s educational plan truly reflects who they are and what they need to succeed.
