Independent Educational Evaluation

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01 Independent Educational Evaluation

Pricing: TBD by district

An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is an assessment conducted by a qualified professional who is not employed by the school district. Parents have the legal right to request an IEE at public expense if they disagree with the results of a school-based evaluation. 

As an experienced occupational therapist, I offer IEEs to provide an unbiased, comprehensive, and child-centered assessment to help families and schools make well-informed decisions about a student’s educational needs.

In California, timelines for an Occupational Therapy Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) are guided by both state and federal regulations under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Here’s a breakdown of key timelines involved: 

Request for IEE

When it starts: A parent formally disagrees with a school district’s OT evaluation and requests an IEE in writing.

District response timeline: The district must respond
"without unnecessary delay." This typically means within 15 business days in California (though not explicitly stated in IDEA, this is the commonly accepted interpretation by most districts and legal advisors).

District Must Take Action 

After receiving the request, the district must either:

Agree to fund the IEE at public expense, or

File for due process to prove that their original evaluation was appropriate.

Again, this must be done without unnecessary delay usually within that 15-day timeframe.

Completing the IEE

Typical timeline: Once approved, an IEE (including OT evaluations) should be completed within 60 calendar days from the date of agreement, though the exact timeline can vary slightly by district.

Evaluation length: The actual evaluation may take 2–3 sessions over a few weeks, depending on availability and student needs.

IEP Team Meeting

After the IEE is completed and the report is submitted, the school must hold an IEP team meeting to review the results, typically within 30 calendar days.

My OT IEEs go beyond the basics. Each evaluation includes:

Thorough Records Review: IEPs/504 plans, medical documentation, previous evaluations.
Parent and Teacher Interviews: Insight into daily challenges and strengths.
On-Site Observations: Multiple environments including the classroom, recess, P.E., and more.
Standardized & Informal Assessments: Evaluating fine motor, gross motor, visual-motor integration, sensory processing, and daily living skills.
Functional Impact Assessment: Understanding how OT needs affect classroom participation and learning

Written Report with Recommendations:

Summary of findings with a comparison to school-based OT evaluations
Specific recommendations for accommodations, modifications, and therapy services
Suggestions for strategies to support the child's success in school

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I invite parents and school districts to explore the services I offer, read testimonials from families I’ve had the pleasure of working with, and feel free to reach out with any questions you may have.