Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)

An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is a comprehensive assessment that is typically requested by a school district, an attorney, or a parent/guardian requesting an assessment at district expense. An IEE is provided by a licensed psychologist who does not work for the child's school district, public charter school, or intermediate unit (IU). IEEs include review of all relevant records, including: comprehensive review of relevant educational records; interviews with all relevant parties, including: parents/guardians, student, teacher(s), and outside agencies; multiple observations within the testing environment and within the educational setting; standardized and/or curriculum-based assessments; rating scales from all relevant sources, which may include: parents/guardians, student, and teachers; participation in all relevant IEP meetings (maximum 2 hours). Any additional time required to participate in additional IEP meetings or a due process hearing will be billed at an hourly rate.

In comparison to a psycho-educational assessment, an IEE usually requires an extensive amount of time reviewing school records, travel, and interaction with IEP teams, attorneys, and, when necessary, attendance in Due Process hearings.

If a parent of a child with a disability or suspected disability, does not agree with the results of the psycho-educational evaluation conducted by the school system, the parent has the right to obtain an IEE (§300.502). This means that the parent may ask a professional, competent evaluator (i.e., Licensed Educational Psychologist) who is not employed by the school system to conduct another evaluation of the child. If the parent requests for an IEE, the school must provide the parent with information about where he/she can obtain such an evaluation. Parents also have the right to select their own evaluator. If the district agrees with the IEE request, the IEE is paid for by the district. Parents can also independently aquire an independent evaluation at their own expense.

Dr. Palma is a pre-approved IEE assessor for all school districts in the greater Los Angeles area.