An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is a legally recognized document in public schools that supports students with identified disabilities. It outlines your child’s present academic performance, goals for growth, special education services, and classroom accommodations.
An IEP assessment is the school’s process of evaluating whether a student qualifies for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The evaluation determines if your child has one of the 13 recognized disabilities that may impact learning and ensures appropriate support is provided.
In-depth evaluations to understand each child’s unique strengths and needs.
Guidance and advocacy to ensure education plans meet student goals.
Bridging families and educators to create the best learning environment.
Sometimes, parents may feel that the school’s IEP assessment doesn’t fully capture their child’s challenges or strengths. If your child continues to struggle despite receiving services, you may still have questions about their needs.
In these cases, families often pursue an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE). An IEE is conducted by a qualified professional outside of the school system, offering an unbiased and comprehensive understanding of your child’s abilities. This evaluation can:
Clarify areas of strength and weakness
Provide diagnostic insight into learning differences (ADHD, autism, dyslexia, etc.)
Offer tailored recommendations for both school and home
Parents have the legal right to request an IEE at the school’s expense if they disagree with the results of a school-based IEP evaluation. In this situation, the school district must either:
Fund the independent evaluation, or
File for due process to prove that their original assessment was appropriate.
Even if the school does not cover the cost, parents can still pursue an IEE privately. Importantly, schools are required to consider IEE results when making decisions about a child’s educational supports.
IEP Assessment (School-Based):
Goal: To determine eligibility for special education under IDEA.
Focus: Educational performance and classroom accommodations.
Outcome: Eligibility determination + services within the school system.
IEE Evaluation (Independent):
Goal: To gain a complete and detailed understanding of the child’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral profile.
Focus: Deeper testing in areas such as memory, attention, processing speed, executive functioning, language, and social-emotional skills.
Outcome: A broader set of recommendations that may include therapies, home strategies, medical considerations, and educational supports.
Intellectual functioning & problem-solving
Processing speed & executive skills
Academic achievement (reading, writing, math)
Language processing (receptive, expressive, social)
Visual-spatial & motor skills
Memory & learning
Attention & focus
Personality, behavior, and mood
Social skills and relationships
