Understanding Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs): A Guide for Parents
As parents, we always strive to ensure that our children receive the best possible support for their educational needs. However, navigating the special education system can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to understanding evaluations and assessments. One aspect that often raises questions is the Independent Educational Evaluation, or IEE. This post aims to demystify IEEs, explain why you might consider one, and outline the procedures involved. We will also touch on when it might not be appropriate to request an IEE, particularly in relation to speech, language, and social skills.
What is an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)?
An IEE is an evaluation conducted by a qualified professional who is not employed by your child’s school district. It provides a second opinion regarding your child's educational needs, including areas like speech, language, and social skills. The goal of an IEE is to offer an objective assessment that can either confirm the school's findings or provide new insights into your child's abilities and challenges.
Why Consider an IEE?
There are several reasons why you might consider soliciting an IEE for your child:
Concerns About School Evaluations: If you feel that the school's evaluation did not accurately reflect your child's needs, an IEE can provide additional information.
Complex Needs: For children with complex or multiple disabilities, an IEE can offer a more comprehensive view of their strengths and challenges.
Disagreements: If there is a disagreement between you and the school regarding your child's eligibility for special education services or the type of support they require, an IEE can serve as an impartial assessment.
Focus on Specific Areas: Sometimes, you might want a more detailed evaluation in specific areas such as speech, language, or social skills, which an IEE can provide.
The IEE Process
Requesting an IEE: Start by submitting a written request to your child’s school district. Explain why you believe an IEE is necessary.
School Response: The school district must respond to your request, either by agreeing to fund the IEE or by filing a due process complaint to show that their evaluation is sufficient.
Choosing an Evaluator: If the school agrees, you can choose an evaluator. The school district may provide a list of approved evaluators, but you are not limited to this list.
Conducting the Evaluation: The chosen evaluator will conduct a thorough assessment of your child. This may include observations, standardized tests, interviews, and reviewing your child’s educational history.
Reviewing the Results: Once the evaluation is complete, the results will be shared with both you and the school district. You can then discuss the findings and how they might impact your child's educational plan. Information from the IEE may or may not result in changes to the educational plan.
When Might an IEE Not Be Appropriate?
While IEEs can be incredibly valuable, there are situations where they might not be the best option:
Recent Comprehensive Evaluations: If the school has recently conducted a comprehensive and thorough evaluation, an IEE might not provide additional insights.
Cost and Resources: IEEs can be expensive, and while the school district may cover the cost, there could be limits to what they are willing to pay.
Potential Delays: The process of requesting, conducting, and reviewing an IEE can take time. If immediate action is needed to support your child, waiting for an IEE might delay essential services.
School Policies: Each school district has its own policies and procedures regarding IEEs. It’s essential to understand these before making a request to ensure you are following the correct protocol.
REMEBER (and I can’t stress this enough): The school district is required to review and consider the information you provide them from the IEE. Getting an IEE does NOT automatically change services.
Caveats and Considerations
It’s important to remember that each school district and provider will have individual policies and procedures regarding IEEs. Therefore, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with these specifics in your area. Open communication with your child’s school can also help clarify expectations and streamline the process.
Conclusion
Navigating the world of special education can be challenging, but understanding the tools and resources available to you, such as Independent Educational Evaluations, can make a significant difference. Whether you’re looking to confirm existing findings or seek new perspectives on your child’s speech, language, and social skills, an IEE can be a valuable resource. Always weigh the pros and cons and consider your child's unique needs and circumstances when deciding whether to pursue an IEE. And remember, you are your child's best advocate, and your involvement is key to their success.
By demystifying the process and understanding when and how to request an IEE, you can take confident steps toward securing the best possible educational support for your child.
