What is an IEE?

An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is a special education evaluation conducted by a qualified professional not employed by your child’s school district. Parents have the right to request an IEE if they disagree with the results of the school’s Full and Individual Initial Evaluation (FIIE) or reevaluation. The purpose of an IEE is not just to “redo” testing, but to provide a second opinion that gives a complete and unbiased picture of your child’s strengths and needs.

Why and When Would Parents Request an IEE?
  • You believe the school’s evaluation missed areas of concern (such as dyslexia, ADHD, autism, or emotional needs).
  • You feel the school’s results don’t reflect your child’s true abilities.
  • You want a different perspective from a professional with specialized expertise.
  • You are preparing for a transition (middle school, high school, or postsecondary) and want thorough recommendations.
The IEE Process
  1. School Evaluation First – The school must conduct its own evaluation before an IEE can be requested.
  2. Parent Request – Parents may request an IEE verbally or in writing to the school district.  Typically, it is to the Director of Special Education.
  3. District Response – The district must either:
    • Agree and provide the IEE at no cost, or
    • File for due process to defend its own evaluation. 
  4. Choosing an Evaluator – Parents may choose their evaluator, but the evaluator must meet the district’s criteria (licensure, certification, cost, location).
  5. Using the Results – The school must consider the IEE when making eligibility and programming decisions, though it is not required to adopt every recommendation.
Who Can Complete an IEE?

The professional must hold the appropriate license or certification for the area of concern:

  • Educational Diagnostician – Learning disabilities, ADHD, academic achievement, dyslexia, intellectual ability.
  • School Psychologist  – Autism, emotional disturbance, cognitive/behavioral assessments.
  • Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) – Communication disorders.
  • Occupational or Physical Therapist (OT/PT) – Motor, sensory, or physical disabilities.

Yes, an Educational Diagnostician can conduct an IEE when the evaluation concerns learning disabilities, ADHD, or academic needs. Other disability areas require different specialists.

How Insight IQ Assessments Does IEEs Differently

At Insight IQ, we recognize that many IEEs often fall short of what families truly need. Parents sometimes choose providers whose reports are too clinical and not aligned with the data schools require. This only creates further frustration and a lack of clarity. In addition, many evaluations carry the same flaws as any other—subjective interpretations, selective emphasis, and, at times, an unspoken bias toward the party requesting the IEE. Instead of offering a true second opinion, some providers form close relationships with families and unintentionally minimize or exclude valuable input from the school.

While this may lead to a conclusion that feels more favorable to the parent, it does not serve the actual purpose of an IEE: to provide an objective, data-driven assessment that considers the full educational picture. At Insight IQ, our goal is different. We prioritize the truth—not a side. Our reports are rooted in data, grounded in school-relevant information, and designed to bridge the gap between families and schools. We believe an IEE should clarify, not confuse; bring understanding, not division; and ultimately help the student by capturing the whole story.

Our IEEs are designed to change that:

  1. School-Based Expertise
     All of our evaluators actively work in school settings. We understand IDEA, Texas Education Agency (TEA) rules, and what data ARD/IEP committees need. Our reports are written to be legally sound, educationally relevant, and practical to implement.
  2. The Right Evaluator for the Right Area
     We match your child with the correct specialist—Educational Diagnosticians, LSSPs, Speech-Language Pathologists, Occupational or Physical Therapists—so every area of concern is properly addressed.
  3. Comprehensive and Complete
     We don’t just repeat what the school has already done. We dig deeper into areas of concern and ensure no questions are left unanswered. Our reports connect the dots between data, eligibility, and services.
  4. Honest, Data-Driven Guidance
     We aim to be truthful and clear. If the data supports a need, we document it thoroughly. If it doesn’t, we explain why. Families can trust that our recommendations are based on the whole picture, not assumptions or pressure.
  5. Bridging, Not Dividing
     IEEs can feel adversarial, but our goal is to bridge the gap between parents and schools. We write reports that both parents and school teams can understand, promoting collaboration rather than conflict.

Bottom line: An IEE with Insight IQ provides not just another test, but a clear, comprehensive, and school-ready evaluation that empowers parents and helps schools make the best decisions for students.