Choosing an Independent Evaluator
Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)
Each Ohio school district shall adopt and implement written policies and procedures, approved by the Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children, to ensure that a referral process is employed to determine whether or not a child is a child with a disability. The school district of residence shall ensure that initial evaluations are conducted and that reevaluations are completed (3301-51-06 Evaluations). Either a parent of a child or a public agency may initiate a request for an initial evaluation to determine if the child is a child with a disability.
A parent has the right to an independent educational evaluation (IEE) at public expense if the parent disagrees with an evaluation obtained by the school district of residence, subject to the conditions in paragraphs (G)(2)(b) to (G)(2)(d) of 3301-51-05.
Each school district of residence will provide to parents, upon request for an IEE, information about where an IEE may be obtained, and district’s criteria applicable for IEEs. Each school district of residence will identify the criteria under which the evaluation is obtained, including the location of the evaluation and the qualifications of the examiner, must be the same as the criteria that the district of residence uses when it initiates an evaluation, to the extent those criteria are consistent with the parent’s right to an IEE. A school district of residence may not impose conditions or timelines related to obtaining an IEE at public expense.
Reference:
2008 Ohio Operating Standards for Ohio Educational Agencies Serving Children with Disabilities, Rule 3301-51-05: Procedural Safeguards; (G) Independent Educational Evaluation (pp.67-69)
SST 11 no longer conducts IEEs in response to district or parent request. SST 11 receives inquiries from parents, education, and agency personnel regarding Central Ohio resources for diagnostic and therapeutic services for children with disabilities.
For further assistance, contact:
Gale Kingsley, M.A. 
Psychological Specialist
614.753.4686