Independent Educational Evaluations
Independent Educational Evaluations
By the time most families look into an IEE, they've been through it with their district — an evaluation that felt incomplete, a denied eligibility, or a program that isn't working. An IEE is an independent second opinion: a comprehensive, strength-based evaluation from outside the district, requested in writing and, when granted, funded by the district.
At a glance
What to know before you start
Who it's for
Families who feel the district's evaluation missed the mark, were denied eligibility, or have ongoing concerns about their child's program.
What it is
A comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation by an independent evaluator outside the district — including formal DSM-5 diagnoses where relevant.
Who pays
You request an IEE formally, in writing, and the school is obligated to respond. When granted, the IEE is funded by the district.
How to start
A free 20-minute consultation. I'll review the school's evaluation and help you determine whether an IEE request is appropriate and justified.
Book a free consultationWhy families call
Three situations that lead families to an IEE
The evaluation missed the mark
The school recently completed an evaluation, and it doesn't match the child you know — areas left unassessed, conclusions that don't fit, or a report that feels incomplete.
Eligibility was denied
Your child was found not eligible for special-education services, and you're not convinced the assessment looked deeply enough to justify that answer.
The program isn't working
There are significant, ongoing issues with your child's current educational program and the support the school is offering — and you need objective data to move the conversation.
Parents usually reach out feeling frustrated, lost, and worried about their child's future. What they're looking for — and what an IEE provides — is an objective, trusted second opinion that finally gets clear answers.
What it can change
One evaluation can change the whole conversation
One student I evaluated had been found ineligible for special-education services by his school. Through the independent evaluation, I identified that he did qualify — under Other Health Impairment, because of the significant impact his ADHD-like behaviors were having on his ability to participate and apply his learning at school.
Based on those findings, he received counseling support, accommodations like reduced homework and flexible deadlines, and targeted extra instruction in mathematics. That's what a thorough, well-justified independent evaluation is for: not to win an argument, but to get the student what the data shows they need.
The assessment process
How an IEE works
It starts with understanding what's already happened — then an independent look at the whole child, documented so the IEP team can act on it.
Free consultation
A 20-minute call to hear what's happened so far — the evaluation, the eligibility decision, and where things stand with the school.
Records review
I review the school's evaluation and your child's records to help you determine whether an IEE request is appropriate and justified — and what it should cover.
Independent evaluation
The full evaluation, using a broader and more diverse array of assessment tools across cognitive, academic, executive functioning, and social-emotional processing.
Report & the IEP process
A data-driven report with clear justification for every finding and recommendation, written in accessible language the IEP team can understand and act on.
Testimonials
What families say
I realized we were in good hands when Erica told us she would focus on what our daughter can do instead of what she can't.
We gave her an impossible deadline and she delivered a day ahead of schedule — and her report was incredibly comprehensive and accurate.
We did a lot of research, and Erica was a standout first choice to assess our teenage sons. Both kids loved her.
What stood out most was how deeply she cares about advocating for children and making sure they feel seen, understood, and supported.
Her strength-based approach and deep 2e expertise — changing the box to fit the kid instead of forcing the kid into the box. That's my language.
Common questions about IEEs
What is an IEE, and who pays for it?
An Independent Educational Evaluation is an evaluation conducted by a qualified professional outside the school district. If you believe the school's assessment is incomplete or flawed, you have the right to request one. The request should be made formally, in writing — the school is then obligated to respond. When granted, the IEE is funded by the district.
When should I request an IEE?
Typically one of three things has happened: the school's recent evaluation feels inaccurate or incomplete, your child was denied eligibility for services, or there are significant ongoing issues with your child's educational program. If any of those sound familiar, it's worth a conversation — I'll review the school's evaluation with you and help you decide whether a request is justified.
What do parents most often misunderstand about their right to an IEE?
How strong that right actually is. If the school's assessment is incomplete or flawed — even in ways that are hard to spot without expert knowledge, like small gaps or logistical errors — it becomes difficult for the school to legally deny an IEE. The key is simply making the request formally, in writing.
How is your IEE different from the school's evaluation?
I use a broader and more diverse array of assessment tools across cognitive, academic, executive functioning, and social-emotional processing. I'm independent of the district, so eligibility conclusions aren't shaped by district constraints. I'm qualified to provide formal DSM-5 diagnoses, which school evaluations generally don't include. And my evaluations are deeply strength-based — if your child is gifted or excelling in certain areas, the recommendations support that side of their profile too, not just the areas needing remediation.
Will the school actually accept and act on your report?
My reports are built for exactly that. Every conclusion is grounded in assessment data, written in accessible language that explains not just what the data shows but why it matters, with specific, practical recommendations the IEP team can translate directly into goals and accommodations.
Is an IEE the same as IEP consultation?
No — they're separate services. An IEE is an independent evaluation: fresh testing and a new written report. IEP consultation helps you understand and work within a plan the school has already written. If you're not sure which applies to your situation, the free consultation is the place to start.
What an evaluation looks at
An IEE covers the same areas as any full assessment. See how I work with each.
Twice-Exceptional & Gifted
For gifted students who also have a learning, attention, or developmental difference — assessed for both, so nothing is missed.
ADHD & Executive Functioning
A close look at attention, focus, and the planning-and-follow-through skills that shape how school actually goes.
Autism
A careful, strength-based autism evaluation set within the whole-child picture.
Learning Differences
Assessment for dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia — the differences behind reading, writing, and math struggles.
Explore other services
Comprehensive Assessment
One in-depth psychoeducational assessment that looks at the whole child — learning, attention, and development together — so nothing gets missed.
Remote Assessment
The full psychoeducational assessment conducted securely online, for any student anywhere in California.
IEP Consultation for Parents
Guidance for parents working through IEPs, 504 plans, and the special-education process, from someone who knows how schools operate.
If the school's evaluation doesn't match the child you know, let's talk.
A free 20-minute consultation is enough to hear what's happened. I'll review the school's evaluation and help you decide whether an IEE is the right next step.
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