Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE) in California
If you feel your child’s school evaluation missed something important, you have options.
An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) allows parents to obtain an evaluation from a qualified professional outside the school district. In California, families have the right to request an IEE when they disagree with the results of a school’s assessment.
As a Licensed Educational Psychologist, Monica Trost provides comprehensive evaluations that help clarify your child’s needs and provide actionable recommendations for school support.
What Is an Independent Educational Evaluation?
An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is a comprehensive educational assessment conducted by a qualified professional who is not employed by the school district.
IEEs provide an objective, outside perspective on a student’s learning profile. The evaluation may examine areas such as cognitive ability, academic skills, behavior, and social-emotional functioning to determine whether a student needs specialized support.
Parents typically pursue an IEE when:
They disagree with the results of the school’s evaluation
The school evaluation feels incomplete or unclear
Their child continues to struggle despite previous assessments
They want a deeper understanding of their child’s learning profile
An independent evaluation can help clarify eligibility for special education services and provide data that strengthens IEP planning.
When Can Parents Request an IEE
Under federal and California special education law, parents have the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation if they disagree with a school district’s assessment.
This often happens when:
The school evaluation concludes that the child does not qualify for services
Important areas were not evaluated
Test results do not match what parents observe at home
A child is struggling, but the data does not explain why
When parents request an IEE, the school district must respond in one of two ways:
Agree to fund the evaluation
File for due process to defend the district’s assessment
Because of this legal framework, parents often turn to IEEs when they feel the school has not fully understood their child’s needs.
IEE at Public Expense Explained
One of the most important rights in special education is the right to request an IEE at public expense. This right means the school district may be responsible for covering the cost of the independent evaluation.
If parents disagree with the school’s evaluation, they can submit a written request for an IEE. The district must either:
Approve and fund the independent evaluation, or
Initiate due process to show their evaluation was appropriate.
When the district agrees to fund the evaluation, it may provide guidelines regarding evaluator qualifications or cost limits. The independent evaluator must comply with those district requirements. 
Even when families privately fund an evaluation, they can share the results with the IEP team, and the team must consider them during decision-making.
What the Evaluation Process Looks Like
A high-quality independent evaluation typically follows a structured process.
1. Parent Intake Interview
The process begins with a detailed intake session reviewing developmental history, current concerns, and goals for the evaluation.
2. Record Review
Review of existing records, including:
Previous evaluations
IEPs or 504 plans
Progress reports
Teacher feedback
This step helps identify gaps in previous assessments.
3. Observation
Observations may occur in natural settings, such as school, home, or community environments, to understand how the child functions in daily situations.
4. Direct Testing
Administer standardized assessments to evaluate cognitive abilities, academic skills, and processing strengths and weaknesses.
Parents and teachers may also complete rating scales related to attention, behavior, executive functioning, or social-emotional development.
5. Written Report and Feedback Session
The evaluation concludes with:
A comprehensive written report
Detailed analysis of results
Practical recommendations for school support
A feedback meeting to review results and discuss next steps
The IEP team can use this report during IEP meetings to inform eligibility, services, and accommodations.
Not Sure If an IEE Is the Right Next Step?
Every child’s situation is different. If you’re considering an Independent Educational Evaluation in California, a consultation can help you understand whether an IEE makes sense and how to move forward.
During the consultation, we’ll review your child’s current evaluations, discuss your concerns, and talk through your options, including whether requesting an IEE at public expense may be appropriate.
Types of Assessments Included
Independent Educational Evaluations often include multiple types of assessment to capture the full learning picture.
Depending on the student’s needs, an IEE may include:
Cognitive Assessment: Measures how a child processes information, including memory, processing speed, and reasoning.
Academic Achievement Testing: Evaluates skills in reading, writing, and math to identify learning gaps.
Social-Emotional and Behavioral Assessment: Assesses emotional functioning, anxiety, behavior patterns, and regulation.
Executive Functioning and Attention Measures: Evaluates organization, working memory, and attention skills.
Adaptive Functioning Assessment: Looks at everyday skills such as independence, communication, and daily living.
These assessments work together to create a comprehensive understanding of how a child learns and what support they may need.
FAQs About IEEs
District staff conducts School evaluations. A professional not employed by the school district conducts an Independent Educational Evaluation, providing an outside perspective.
Yes. Many parents request an IEE after their child is found ineligible, but they believe the evaluation missed something important.
Schools are required to consider the results of an independent evaluation when making educational decisions.
Educational evaluations are typically not covered by insurance. Some families pay privately, while others request an IEE at public expense through the school district. If an assessment is done privately, a superbill can be provided.
The full process usually takes several weeks and includes intake, testing sessions, scoring, report writing, and a feedback meeting.
Monica's license currently allows her to provide direct services only to clients who reside in California. While she would like to support families outside the state, she is unable to offer services beyond California at this time.
For families located in California, she is available to support you and your child and welcomes you to reach out to explore how you can work together.
Many families don't realize that public schools often offer similar services at no cost—whether your child is in public or private school. However, if you're feeling unsure about the information you've received, worried about bias, or need more in-depth guidance and flexible support than the school can provide, Monica is here to help.
If you're looking for clearer answers and more personalized support, connect with Monica to see how she can support your child's journey.
For educational testing, she specializes in preschool-age children (ages 2.6–5 years old), while also providing evaluations for students up to age 17.
Prepared Parent Advocate offers comprehensive psycho-educational evaluations designed for preschool-aged children. Here's what you can expect:
Connect & Understand – We start with a conversation about your concerns and guide you in how best to support your child.
Assessment – Gather a comprehensive picture of each child through parent and teacher interviews, observations, rating scales, and play-based, evidence-based testing. For school-age children, this may include observing them at school. Direct assessment can be conducted either during the school day at the school site or in our private office in Walnut Creek, depending on what works best for the child. For younger children, a parent remains present throughout the process to help the child feel comfortable and at ease.
Results & Clarity – Within two weeks of testing, you'll receive a detailed, easy-to-understand report. We'll review everything together and make sure to answer all your questions.
Next Steps – You'll receive clear, personalized recommendations, including referrals to trusted community providers, so you can confidently take the next steps in supporting your child.
You don't have to figure this out alone—reach out to get started.
At Prepared Parent Advocate, we understand how important it is to find a time that works for both you and your child. That's why we offer weekend and evening appointments, which you can schedule in advance. We'll work closely with you to choose a time that minimizes time away from school and fits your child's needs—so they can feel comfortable and supported.
A Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) is a specialist trained to understand how children learn and behave in school. They are qualified to assess and diagnose learning, emotional, and behavioral challenges that may affect a child's education. LEPs also know the special education system well, so they can help families understand their rights and what support their child may be able to get in public schools.
Monica Trost is a Licensed Educational Psychologist. Her license number is 4660, under the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS).
Every child is unique, and so are their needs—that's why we base fees on the type and complexity of the assessment. Our goal is to provide exactly what your child needs, with care and transparency.
Let's connect for a brief call to talk through your concerns. We'll walk through the process and provide a personalized estimate.
No referral is needed. If you have concerns about your child's development or learning, you can reach out directly. We're here to help you take the next step—no extra hoops, just support when you need it.
Currently, we don't accept insurance, but we can provide a superbill for submission to your insurance for possible reimbursement. If there are questions, guidance is available to help navigate the process.
Schedule an Evaluation Consultation
If you are considering an Independent Educational Evaluation in California, the first step is understanding whether an IEE is the right move for your child’s situation.
During a consultation we will:
Review your child’s current evaluations and concerns
Discuss whether an IEE may be appropriate
Clarify your rights under California special education law
Map out possible next steps