If you disagree with the evaluation

Learn

• Check the list of tests you agreed on

  If you don’t agree with the results of your child’s evaluation, look back at the consent form you signed that gave the school permission to test your child. That form (or the prior written notice about evaluation) should have listed all of the tools that would be used to assess your child.

  Make sure that all of those tests were performed and that you have an evaluation report for all of them.

• Ask for testing in more areas

  If you feel the school’s testing was incomplete, write a letter or email expressing your concerns. Be specific about the skills or areas of difficulty you don’t think were examined. Ask that your child be evaluated using additional testing.

  The school may not agree to the request, but this way your concerns are in writing and on file.

• Request an IEE at public expense

  If you don’t agree with the results of the school’s evaluation, you have the right to request that the school pay for an independent educational evaluation (IEE). An IEE is conducted by an outside professional who isn’t employed by the school.

  You need to put your IEE request in writing.

  The school must pay for an IEE unless it asks for a due process hearing to prove that the evaluation it conducted was accurate and thorough for your child.

• Consider a private evaluation

  If you have private testing done, you may want to share the evaluation results with the school. However, it’s important to know that IDEA only says schools must consider the recommendations and results. It doesn’t say they have to accept them.

  Learn about your options for resolving IEP disputes.