Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) in Connecticut
How do you get an independent educational evaluation (IEE) in Connecticut?
Connecticut parents have the right to an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at public expense, consistent with 34 CFR 300.502 as implemented in Connecticut. If a parent disagrees with the LEA's evaluation, the parent may request an IEE at public expense. The district must either: (a) agree to fund and facilitate the IEE without unnecessary delay, or (b) initiate a due process hearing to demonstrate that its evaluation was appropriate. The district cannot impose undue conditions on the IEE but may establish criteria for the evaluator's qualifications. The CSDE has established maximum rates for publicly funded IEEs in Connecticut, which LEAs may use as guidelines. Connecticut's 60-calendar-day evaluation timeline (from referral) means that timing disputes about the district's evaluation may also bear on IEE requests. Parents who obtain IEEs at private expense — either independently or after losing a public-expense IEE dispute — are entitled to have those evaluations considered by the PPT in making educational decisions. At each annual review, parents may raise concerns about the adequacy of the evaluation and request an IEE.
What Connecticut Requires
Parents are entitled to an IEE at public expense when they disagree with the district's evaluation; the district must fund the IEE or file for due process to defend its evaluation (34 CFR 300.502(b)).
The district may ask but cannot require the parent to explain reasons for disagreement with the evaluation (34 CFR 300.502(b)(4)).
The CSDE may establish maximum rates for publicly funded IEEs; LEAs may use these as guidelines when facilitating IEEs at public expense.
All IEEs, including those obtained at private expense, must be considered by the PPT in decisions about the student's education (34 CFR 300.502(c)).
If the district files for due process and the hearing officer determines the district's evaluation is appropriate, the parent may still obtain an IEE at private expense, and results must be considered (34 CFR 300.502(b)(3)).
Key Timelines
The district must respond to an IEE request without unnecessary delay — either agreeing to fund or filing for due process (34 CFR 300.502(b)(2)).
Connecticut's evaluation timeline (45 school days from referral, per RCSA § 10-76d-13) applies to district-initiated evaluations; IEE timelines are governed by federal standard of 'without unnecessary delay.'
If the district files for due process on the IEE issue, the IEE is at public expense if the hearing officer does not rule the district's evaluation appropriate (34 CFR 300.502(b)(3)).