Educational Evaluations
Educational Evaluations
Types of Educational Evaluations
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Independent Education Evaluations
Many parents have their school complete an individual evaluation of their child but unfortunately disagree with the results. In this case, you can ask your school district to pay for an independent educational evaluation (IEE). An IEE is an evaluation done by a person who does not work for the school system. An IEE can determine whether your child has a learning disability or other disorder and identify the educational services most suitable to your child as a result.
Though an outside specialist completes an IEE, the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) gives you the right to request the school pay for it if you disagree with the results of the school’s evaluation.
These are some reasons you might request an IEE:
- You disagree with the school evaluation
- You believe the school’s evaluation was incomplete or used outdated methods or data
- The school district does not employ qualified evaluators for a specific assessment
- You think the data collected was inappropriate (for example, they used a test protocol that is inappropriate for autism or ADHD)
- Your school district refuses to do an evaluation.
Costs & Considerations of Independent Education Evaluations
An IEE may cost a lot of money. Therefore, you must know who will pay for the IEE before completion. If you and the school district cannot agree on who will pay for the IEE, mediation or a due process hearing may be needed. The school district will pay for the IEE if the district agrees to do so or if an administrative law judge orders the district to pay as the result of a due process hearing. The school district staff will let you know if they refuse to pay for the IEE. If they refuse, they must request a due process hearing to prove that their evaluation is appropriate.
You may pay for the IEE if you choose to or if an administrative law judge decides, as the result of a due process hearing, that the school district’s evaluation is complete, correct, and fair. It is also important to note that if you pay for the IEE and give the report to the school, it will become part of your child’s record.
Before Asking for an IEE, you should:
Before Asking for
an IEE, you should:
- Be able to explain why you think the school’s evaluation is not correct, not complete, or not fair
- Ask people at the school to talk with you about their evaluation (they may be able to clear up your concerns)
- Ask the school to do another evaluation or to add to the evaluation that has already been done
- Talk with the ESE administrator in your local school district
If You Decide to Ask the
District to Pay for an IEE,
You Should:
- Call the ESE administrator and let them know about your decision
- Ask for the IEE in writing. Some school districts have a form you can use
- Inform the school district that you would like Dr. Cristi to perform the IEE for your child
Gifted Assessments
Gifted assessments provide a roadmap for making educational and parenting decisions uniquely for your child. The assessment considers everything about a child, including but not limited to:
- Child’s cognitive potential
- Past & present academic achievements
- Personality characteristics
- Social interactions with peers and adults
- Control and expression of emotions
- General behavioral functioning
A parent may choose to have their child assessed for many reasons that vary greatly. Typically, a child will demonstrate a very high aptitude for one or more school subjects. However, because a child may excel in one particular area of academics, they may struggle in others. Additionally, it is common to see a child who seemingly has a high IQ have other behavioral issues such as ADHD or be on the autism spectrum.
Gifted testing includes administering an IQ test, individualized summary reports, and providing feedback to parents. IQ testing may be needed to determine the eligibility for gifted education programs. Based on the assessment, Dr. Salinas may also recommend admission to other programs, such as the Virtual Autism Clinic.
SAT/ACT & College Accommodations
Young adults deserve every opportunity they have to succeed in life. After their primary education is complete, attending a good college is a great way to set up future success. However, many students struggle with standardized tests such as the SAT, ACT, LSAT, and GRE often due to learning disabilities or other cognitive impairments. However, many parents don’t realize that accommodations may be made for their child, especially if they already have a documented history of school accommodations.
These accommodations may be:
- extended time
- extra breaks
- read-aloud
Your Child Deserves the Best
As a parent, you have to make difficult decisions directly impacting your child’s learning and future development. Having an advocate like Dr. Cristi Salinas in your corner who will help you fight for the best possible outcome for your child and navigate you through the ins and outs of the system will help relieve the stress and self-doubt you may be experiencing.
Dr. Salinas is a mother of a child who has special needs and completely understands your frustration, fear, and overall concern for your child’s future. She can confidently help your child with any educational evaluation needed to help ensure they receive the schooling and accommodations they deserve!
