Academics · Subject Resources

You disagree with the evaluation.
Ask for a second look.

When a family disagrees with a school’s special education evaluation, federal law gives them the right to ask for an independent educational evaluation, done by someone outside the school, at no cost to them. The school then has two choices: pay for it or ask a hearing officer to rule its evaluation was appropriate. Track the request, the school’s criteria, the evaluators you are weighing and how long you have waited.

Track a requestWhat you get

IEE requests

The worked example is made up: a psychoeducational IEE waiting three weeks for an answer, an approved speech IEE, and a second request for the same evaluation. Saved on this device only.

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What you get

Academics · Subject ResourcesFree

What you finish with
A record per request: the evaluation you disagree with and why, the date and form of your request, four steps from criteria to sharing the report, the school’s cost limit, evaluators with cost and fit, and the status. Works out days waiting, evaluators over the limit and evaluators that meet the criteria; flags spoken requests, long waits, costs over the limit and a repeat request.
Who it is for
Parents and caregivers of children evaluated for special education, and the advocates who help them.
Format
Browser guide with a saved record per request. Prints one request with its evaluators, every request in a table or a blank form; downloads a spreadsheet (.csv); exports and imports a file.
Access
Free. No account, no sign-in and nothing to install. Everything you type stays in this browser; nothing is sent to Caveat.
Where it lives
The Subject Resources space in Caveat Academics.
Support
Questions about access, an order or a correction: team@caveatacademic.com.

How to use it

  1. Name the evaluation and what you disagree with.
  2. Ask in writing and note the date.
  3. Ask for the criteria and evaluator list.
  4. Compare evaluators against the criteria.
  5. Share the finished report with the team.

Track a request

How an IEE works

What the federal rule gives youYour rightAsk for an IEE at publicexpense when youdisagree with a schoolevaluation.You do not have toexplain why.The school’s choicePay for the IEE, or filefor a due processhearing to show itsevaluation wasappropriate.No unnecessary delay.The resultThe team must consideran IEE that meets thecriteria.One public IEE perevaluation you disagreewith.The federal ruleYour rightAsk for an IEE at public expense when youdisagree with a school evaluation.You do not have to explain why.The school’s choicePay for the IEE, or file for a due processhearing to show its evaluation wasappropriate.No unnecessary delay.The resultThe team must consider an IEE that meets thecriteria.One public IEE per evaluation you disagreewith.
An IEE you pay for yourself still has to be considered if it meets the school’s criteria.

The school’s criteria

A school can set criteria for an IEE, such as where it happens, the evaluator’s qualifications and a cost limit, but only the same criteria it uses for its own evaluations. It may not add conditions or timelines beyond those. If an evaluator costs more, the school must let you show unique circumstances that justify it.

One per evaluation

You are entitled to one IEE at public expense each time the school conducts an evaluation you disagree with. If you pay for a private evaluation yourself, the team must still consider it in decisions about the child, as long as it meets the school’s criteria.

Sources

  1. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 34 CFR 300.502: independent educational evaluation.
  2. U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. Letter to Anonymous on IEE cost criteria and unique circumstances (OSEP policy letters, idea.ed.gov).
  3. Analysis of comments and changes to the IDEA Part B regulations, 71 Fed. Reg. 46540 (August 14, 2006), on 300.502.
  4. Center for Parent Information and Resources. Independent educational evaluation (parentcenterhub.org).

The worked example is made up. This guide explains the federal rule in general terms and is not legal advice; states can add procedures. Nothing you type is sent to Caveat. Support: team@caveatacademic.com.