Parents Right to Obtain Independent Evaluation

Having NELDC as your independent evaluator to assess your child allows your child to have an evaluation that gets results. Neuropsychological and Psychoeducational Assessments as well as Functional Behavioral Assessments are among the types of evaluations that we are able to provide. The New England Learning and Development Center's independent educational evaluation program will pinpoint the specific strengths and challenges affecting your child's learning and or behavioral challenges. By deeply understanding how students learn, we can provide strategies and support to improve academic performance, increase self-confidence and develop success in school and in life. We have helped many students achieve their dreams of going to onto college or Vocational School of their own choice

If you, as a parent, disagree agree with the results of the school's special education evaluation of your child, you have the right to obtain as an Independent Educational Evaluation, or an IEE(§300.502). This means that you may ask that a professional evaluator, who is not employed by the school district conduct an outside evaluation of your child.

When the student’s parents disagree with the school district’s evaluation and request an IEE at public expense, the school district in most instances must pay for the IEE. They only way for the school to contest the school having to pay for this evaluation is to initiate a hearing request which is usually much more expensive than agreeing to pay for the requested evaluation in the first place.

When the student’s parents disagree with the school district’s evaluation and request an IEE at public expense, the school district must pay for the IEE or request a due process hearing - See more at: http://www.wrightslaw.com/info/test.iee.steedman.htm#sthash.4RKF3Ek5.dpuf

When the student’s parents disagree with the school district’s evaluation and request an IEE at public expense, the school district must pay for the IEE or request a due process hearing.

If you request that a school pay for an IEE there are two answers the school can give, that are legal:

1. No. We think our evaluation is appropriate. Then the school files for a due process hearing in order to "prove" that their evaluation is appropriate and that your request for an IEE is unwarranted.

2. Yes. We'll be happy to pay for that. Will you be picking the person on your own or do you need for us to give you an all-inclusive list of every possible evaluator?

Is it illegal for a school to say, "OK. We'll pay for your independent evaluation, but we want you to go see Dr. Expecting lots of business from us? Here's his number."

The school district may ask you why you are requesting an IEE but they may not require you to explain your rationale and they must quickly make a decision on how to act upon your request.

The office for Special Education (OSEP) addressed the 34 CFR 300.502(a)(2) requirement regarding independent evaluations in "Letter to Young" in 2003. OSEP said that there is nothing in the regulations prohibiting an LEA from providing parents with a list of qualified examiners. If, however, a LEA wants to limit parents to using the examiners on the district's list, the list must be exhaustive, i.e., all qualified examiners in the geographic location must be included on the list. Also, the LEA must include in its policy that parents must have the opportunity to demonstrate that unique circumstances may justify the selection of an IEE examiner who does not meet the LEA's qualification criteria and are not on the LEA's list of examiners. Also see 34 CFR 300.502(e).