When your child is struggling in school and the district’s evaluation doesn’t tell the full story, you have the right to an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) and that right can make all the difference in your child’s learning journey.
At Atlanta Speech Therapy, we help families across Georgia understand the IEE process, advocate for their child’s needs, and receive comprehensive, evidence-based speech and language evaluations designed to reveal the whole picture of how your child learns and communicates.
What Is an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)?
The Georgia Department of Education defines an IEE as an evaluation conducted by a qualified individual who is not employed by the school district.
An IEE is your opportunity to:
- Obtain a second opinion from an independent specialist
- Identify gaps or errors in the school district’s evaluation
- Ensure your child’s unique communication or language needs are properly assessed
Whether the evaluation is funded privately or at public expense (covered by the school district), the results must be considered by your child’s school when determining services and supports for a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)
When Can Parents Request an IEE?
You can request an IEE after the school district completes its own evaluation. Common reasons include:
- You disagree with the district’s results or conclusions
- The school used outdated or incomplete assessments
- The evaluator wasn’t qualified for your child’s suspected needs
- Your child isn’t making expected academic progress
- The district’s recommendations or services don’t address core concerns
If you request an IEE, the district must either agree to fund the evaluation or file a due process complaint to defend their original assessment without unnecessary delay (per 34 CFR §300.502).
How to Request an IEE
The request must be made in writing to your local school district. While the school can ask why you disagree with their evaluation, you are not required to explain.
If approved:
- The district will share a list of approved evaluators
- You are not obligated to choose from their list; you may select your own qualified provider
Tip: Work with a speech-language pathologist who understands IEP law, Georgia education rules, and how evaluation findings translate into classroom supports.
Choosing the Right Evaluator: Ally vs. Expert
Not all evaluators are the same. The right evaluator can influence the outcomes of your child’s IEP meeting.
- Ally Expert Evaluator (Recommended): Works directly with your family, interprets results in context, and helps guide the next steps to support your child. Parents choose what information is shared with the school.
- Expert Evaluator: Contracted and paid by the school. They are a neutral party whose full report (including strengths and weaknesses) is shared directly with the district.
Parents who partner with an ally expert evaluator often find the process goes more smoothly and is more empowering
Clinical vs. Educational Speech-Language Evaluations
| Type | Focus | Process | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Speech-Language Evaluation | Medical or therapeutic | Typically completed in one session (approx. 1.5 hrs) | Identifies speech and language needs in a health or clinical context |
| Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) | Academic and functional communication | Includes classroom observations, teacher input, student and parent interviews, and record analysis | Identifies how communication challenges affect classroom learning and access to curriculum |
At Atlanta Speech Therapy, our IEEs provide a foresnsic-level understanding of your child’s communication profile, connecting language skills, cognitive development, and academic outcomes.
Why Families Choose Atlanta Speech Therapy for IEEs
- Previous employment/experience in two of the largest school districts in Georgia
- Deep understanding of Georgia IEP policies and IDEA regulations
- Collaborative approach involving teachers, parents, and specialists
- Individualized evaluations and actionable, school-useful recommendations
- On-site (at school) observation and evaluation of the student
Every child deserves a fair, accurate, and comprehensive evaluation– and we’re here to help you ensure that happens.
Ready to Get Started?
We understand that requesting an IEE can feel overwhelming. Our team helps you navigate every step–from your written request to the delivery of a detailed, parent-friendly report.
Schedule a consultation today to discuss your child’s needs and find out if an Independent Educational Evaluation is the right next step for your family.
