Comprehensive Speech & Language Testing by ASHA-Certified SLPs. Know your rights. Get the evaluation your child deserves.
Highly qualified evaluators
Thorough evaluation process
Clear recommendations
IDEA federal law protections
An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is a comprehensive assessment conducted by a qualified professional who is not employed by your child's school district.
Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents have the right to request an independent evaluation at public expense if they disagree with the school district's evaluation of their child. This is a federally protected right designed to ensure that parents have access to objective, comprehensive assessments of their child's needs.
You may want to request an independent evaluation in several situations:
If the school district's evaluation doesn't match what you observe at home, or you believe it doesn't accurately capture your child's difficulties, you have the right to request an independent second opinion.
If your child was found "not eligible" for speech-language services but you believe they need support, an IEE can provide additional data to support your child's needs.
School evaluations may be limited in scope. An IEE provides more comprehensive testing across all areas of speech and language development.
Even if you don't necessarily disagree with the school's findings, you may want an independent perspective to ensure nothing was missed.
If the school's evaluation seemed rushed, incomplete, or didn't include standardized testing, an IEE can provide a more thorough assessment.
IEE reports often include detailed, specific recommendations for intervention that can guide the IEP team in developing appropriate goals and services.
We conduct thorough testing across all areas of speech and language development to provide a complete picture of your child's abilities and needs.
Standardized testing of all speech sounds in different positions (beginning, middle, end of words) and in conversation. We identify error patterns and determine stimulability for treatment.
Assessment of your child's ability to understand spoken language, including following directions, understanding vocabulary, answering questions, and comprehending complex sentences.
Evaluation of how your child uses language, including vocabulary, sentence structure, grammar, storytelling abilities, and age-appropriate language skills.
Analysis of speech fluency including stuttering behaviors, secondary characteristics, and impact on communication. Assessment of attitudes toward speaking when appropriate.
Assessment of vocal quality, pitch, loudness, and resonance. Identification of any voice disorders that may impact communication or require medical referral.
Evaluation of social communication skills including turn-taking, topic maintenance, understanding nonverbal cues, conversational skills, and perspective-taking abilities.
Every IEE includes a comprehensive written report documenting test results, clinical observations, diagnostic conclusions, and specific recommendations for intervention. The report is written in clear language and includes:
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a federal law that protects your right to an independent evaluation. Understanding your rights ensures you can effectively advocate for your child.
The district has two options:
Important: The district cannot simply deny your request or make you wait indefinitely. They must take one of these two actions.
Our team can review your situation and help you understand your options — at no cost.
Understanding the process helps ensure a smooth evaluation experience.
Call or email to discuss your situation. We'll explain the IEE process and answer your questions about evaluations.
You submit a written request to your school district requesting an IEE at public expense. We can help guide this process.
We provide our evaluation pricing and credentials to the district. Our rates meet district criteria for qualified evaluators.
Once the district agrees to fund the IEE, they will issue a purchase order or payment agreement directly to us.
We schedule the evaluation at a convenient time. Testing typically takes 2-3 hours depending on the child's age and needs.
Within 2-3 weeks, we provide a detailed written report with findings and specific recommendations. The report goes to you and the district.
From initial contact to completed report, the IEE process typically takes 4-8 weeks, depending on district response time and scheduling availability. Once the district approves the IEE, we work to schedule as quickly as possible to minimize delays in getting your child the support they need.
When you disagree with school evaluation:
When seeking evaluation for other reasons:
An IEE is specifically for cases where parents disagree with the school district's evaluation and is paid for by the district. If you're seeking an evaluation for other reasons (like planning private therapy, getting a diagnosis, or exploring concerns before requesting school evaluation), that would be a private evaluation that may be covered by insurance.
Not sure which applies to your situation? Call us at (707) 366-5246 and we'll help you determine the best path forward.
When you request an IEE at public expense because you disagree with the school's evaluation, there is no cost to you—the school district pays for the evaluation directly. The district sets criteria for reasonable cost based on what they typically pay for similar evaluations.
Our IEE rates meet district criteria and typically range from $800-$1,500 depending on the complexity and scope of testing needed. We provide detailed pricing to the district when they request it. Parents do not pay out-of-pocket for an IEE conducted at public expense.
Important: If you choose to get a private evaluation (not an IEE), costs may be covered by insurance or paid privately. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.
The timeline varies depending on several factors:
Total timeline: Typically 4-8 weeks from initial request to completed report. We work to minimize delays and keep you informed throughout the process.
Once the IEE is completed, several things happen:
Important: While the IEP team must consider the IEE, they are not required to adopt all recommendations. However, the independent evaluation carries significant weight in decision-making and often leads to improved services for children.
The district cannot simply refuse your request. Under IDEA, when you request an IEE at public expense, the district has only two options:
What they cannot do:
Know your rights: If the district is not responding appropriately to your IEE request, contact us. We can help guide you through the process and connect you with parent advocacy resources if needed.
No. While the school district may provide a list of approved evaluators, you are not required to choose from their list. You have the right to select any qualified evaluator who meets the district's criteria for qualifications and cost.
Requirements:
Our qualifications and rates meet district criteria, and we have extensive experience conducting IEEs for multiple school districts throughout Solano County.
It's common to feel uncertain about whether an IEE is the right choice. Consider requesting an IEE if:
We can help: Call us at (707) 366-5246 to discuss your situation. We can review the school's evaluation (bring a copy when you call) and help you determine whether an IEE would be beneficial for your child. There's no obligation, and we're happy to answer your questions.
We provide Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE) for families throughout Solano County and surrounding communities:
Dixon • Vacaville • Fairfield • Davis • West Sacramento • Woodland • Winters
We work with school districts throughout the region including Dixon Unified, Vacaville Unified, Fairfield-Suisun Unified, Davis Joint Unified, and others.
Office location: 255 N. Lincoln St. Suite A, Dixon, CA 95620
Have questions about independent educational evaluations? Our ASHA-certified speech-language pathologists are here to help you understand your rights and options.
Or call us directly:
(707) 366-5246
