If you’re a parent in New York City navigating the special education system, you may find yourself in need of an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) to ensure your child receives the services and support they need. The New York City Department of Education (NYC DOE) may be required to fund an independent evaluation under specific circumstances. Here’s a guide to help you understand the process and increase your chances of success.

What Is an IEE?

An Independent Educational Evaluation is defined under New York State regulation as “an individual evaluation of a student with a disability or a student thought to have a disability, conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the public agency responsible for the education of the student” (8 NYCRR 200.1[z]; see 34 CFR 300.502[a][3][i]). These evaluations provide an independent assessment of your child’s needs, offering insights and recommendations that may not be addressed in the NYC DOE’s evaluation. The goal is to read the evaluation and have a comprehensive understanding of your child’s needs and what is required for them to make progress in the classroom.

Often, NYC DOE evaluations include statements like, “Final recommendations for services will be discussed and determined at the IEP meeting along with other reports and consultation with the student’s parents.” This leaves parents without comprehensive information to support their child, and unsure of what steps to take after the evaluation is complete. Additionally, the evaluators themselves are rarely present at IEP meetings. Instead, parents usually end up discussing the evaluation findings with a CSE representative who may not be familiar with their child.

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