• Independent Educational Evaluation


    What's Required
     

    A parent has the right to an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at public expense if the parent disagrees with an evaluation obtained by the LEA (34 CFR 300.502(b)(1)). Public expense means that the LEA either pays for the full cost of the evaluation or ensures that the evaluation is otherwise provided at no cost to the parent consistent with the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) regarding the use of IDEA Part B formula amounts in general. A parent is limited to only one IEE at public expense each time the LEA conducts an evaluation with which the parent disagrees (34 CFR 300.502.(b)(5)).


    What We Do
     

    Parents have a right to request and obtain an Independent Educational Evaluation or IEE at any time during their child's education and to have the FIE considered by the school district in any decision made with respect to providing a free, appropriate, public education (FAPE).

    • An independent educational evaluation (IEE) is an evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the school district responsible for the student's education.
    • Submit a request for an IEE if he/she disagrees with the evaluation results (a) of testing conducted by KISD appraisal staff or (b) because the student was not assessed in a particular area.  It is typical, but not a requirement, that a request for an IEE occurs in an ARD Committee meeting following an initial evaluation or reevaluation. 
    •  When the parent presents the school with a parent initiated evaluation or an IEE, the data is given to the diagnostician for consideration by the Admission Review and Dismissal Committee (ARD).
    • After the ARD Committee has reviewed the data, the ARD committee will report and take any action deemed appropriate by the district.


    While the parent has a right to obtain an IEE at his/her own expense, federal law provides a parent with the right to one IEE at public expense if the parent disagrees with the school district's evaluation. A parent may request a publicly funded IEE for each evaluation completed by the district. When a parent notifies the district that he or she disagrees with an evaluation and requests an IEE, the district must respond within a reasonable time, either by agreeing to provide the IEE or by initiating a due process hearing to show that the school district's FIE is appropriate.

    If a request for an IEE is granted, the criteria under which the evaluation is obtained, including the location of the evaluation and the qualifications of the examiner, must be the same as the criteria that the school uses when it initiates an evaluation. The school may not impose any other conditions or timelines related to obtaining an IEE.

    Estimated rates for IEEs and required credentials are below.

    • Functional Behavioral Assessments not to exceed $1,500. (Required credential: Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) or Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA))
    • Psycho-educational Evaluations (including bilingual) not to exceed $1,500. (Required credential: LSSP or Educational Diagnostician's Certificate)
    • Psychological Evaluations (including bilingual) not to exceed $1,500. (Required credential: (LSSP))
    • Speech and Language Evaluations (including bilingual) not to exceed $1,200. (Required credential: Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC))
    • Vocational Assessments not to exceed $1,000. (Required credential: LSSP, Educational Diagnostician's Certificate or other education related certificate)
    • Occupational and Physical Therapy Evaluations not to exceed $750. (Required credential: Occupational License, Physical Therapy License)
    • Functional Vision / Learning Media Assessment not to exceed $650. (Required credential: Certified Teacher of Visual Impairments)

    Forms

    Katy ISD Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) Guidelines

    Resources

    Independent Educational Evaluation Information