Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) in Louisiana
How do you get an independent educational evaluation (IEE) in Louisiana?
Parents in Louisiana have the right to obtain an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at public expense if they disagree with the LEA's evaluation. This right is established in Bulletin 1706, §503, implementing federal IDEA requirements. When a parent requests an IEE at public expense, the LEA must promptly — either (1) provide the IEE at public expense, or (2) file a due process complaint to demonstrate that its evaluation is appropriate. The LEA may ask why the parent disagrees but cannot require an explanation or use the inquiry to delay. If the IEE is publicly funded, the evaluation criteria (location, examiner qualifications) must match those used for the LEA's own evaluations. Parents are entitled to only one IEE per LEA evaluation at public expense (Bulletin 1706, §503(B)(5)). An IEE obtained at public or private expense must be considered by the IEP team and may be admitted as evidence in due process proceedings.
What Louisiana Requires
Parents may request an IEE at public expense if they disagree with the LEA's evaluation; the LEA must provide the IEE or file for due process (Bulletin 1706, §503(B)(2)).
Bulletin 1706, §503(B)(2)
Parents are entitled to only one IEE per LEA evaluation at public expense (Bulletin 1706, §503(B)(5)).
Bulletin 1706, §503(B)(5)
If the IEE is publicly funded, the examiner qualifications and evaluation location must match the criteria used by the LEA for its own evaluations (Bulletin 1706, §503).
Bulletin 1706, §503
The IEP team must consider results of any IEE whether obtained at public or private expense; IEE results may be submitted as evidence in due process (Bulletin 1706, §503(C)).
Bulletin 1706, §503(C)
Key Timelines
LEA must respond to IEE request promptly — provide the IEE or file for due process without unreasonable delay (Bulletin 1706, §503).
IEE results must be considered at the next IEP meeting after they are provided to the LEA (Bulletin 1706, §503(C)).