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Independent educational evaluations (IEEs): What you need to know

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If you disagree with your child’s school evaluation results, you can request an independent educational evaluation (IEE) at public expense. Learn more about IEEs.

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From our series of model letters...because sometimes
you need to communicate with the school
about your child's education.

Current as of February 2022
En español | In Spanish
In PDF format
There are times when you, as a parent, may want to communicate in writing with your child's school about some problem or concern with your child's education or well-being. This page presents a model letter or email you might write the school to ask that your child be evaluated to see if he or she has a disability and is eligible to receive special education and related services.

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Discussion
When would I request an evaluation for special education services?
If your child has been consistently struggling in school, his or her problems may be due to a disability. If the school thinks your child may have a disability, they will contact you to request your written permission to evaluate your child. Under the IDEA (the nation's special education law), you also have the right to ask the school to evaluate your child. The purpose of the evaluation is to see if he or she has a disability and needs special education services. This evaluation is free of charge.

For more information on evaluation, visit our evaluation pages online, at: https://www.parentcenterhub.org/evaluation/

If your child has been identified by your doctor or other professionals as having a disability, you will want to include this information in your letter to the school. You should also provide copies of any reports you have received that explain your child's condition.

If you decide to write the school and ask that your child be evaluated, the model letter below provides an example of what you may want to say.

General letter-writing tips

When writing any business letter, it is important to keep it short and to the point. First, start by asking yourself the following questions and state the answers in your letter:

Why am I writing?

What are my specific concerns?

What are my questions?

What would I like the person to do about this situation?

What sort of response do I want: a letter, a meeting, a phone call, or something else?

Each letter you write should include the following basic information:

Put the date on your letter.

Give your child's full name and the name of your child's main teacher or current class placement.

Say what you want, rather than what you don't want. Keep it simple.

Give your address and a daytime phone number where you can be reached.

Always end your letter with a "thank you."

What are some other tips to keep in mind?

You want to make a good impression so that the person reading your letter will understand your request and say "yes." Remember, this person may not know you, your child, or your child's situation. Keep the tone of your letter pleasant and businesslike. Give the facts without letting anger, frustration, blame, or other negative emotions creep in. Some letter-writing tips include:

After you write your first draft, put the letter aside for a day or two. Then look at it again and revise it with fresh eyes.

Read your letter as though you are the person receiving it. Is your request clear? Have you included the important facts? Does your letter ramble on and on? Is it likely to offend, or is the tone businesslike?

Have someone else read your letter for you. Is your reason for writing clear? Can the reader tell what you are asking for? Would the reader say "yes" if he or she received this letter? Can your letter be improved?

Use spell check and grammar check on the computer. Or ask someone reliable to edit your letter before you send it.

Keep a copy for your records.

Today's Date (include month, day, and year)

Your Name
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code
Daytime telephone number

Name of Principal or Special Education Administrator
Name of School
Street Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear (person's name),

I am writing to request that my son/daughter, (child's name), be evaluated for special education services. I am worried that (child's name) is not doing well in school and believe he/she may need special services in order to learn. (Child's name) is in the ( _ ) grade at (name of school). (Teacher's name) is his/her teacher.

Specifically, I am worried, because (child's name) does/does not (give a few direct examples of your child's problems at school).

We have tried the following to help (child's name): (If you or the school have done anything extra to help your child, briefly state it here).

I understand that I have to give written permission in order for (child's name) to be evaluated. Before the evaluation begins, I have some questions about the process that I need to have answered (list any questions you may have). I would be happy to talk with you about (child's name). You can send me information or call me during the day at (daytime telephone number). Thank you for your prompt attention to my request.

Sincerely,

Your name

cc: your child's principal (if letter is addressed to an administrator)
your child's teacher(s)

Note: If your child has been identified as having a disability by professionals outside the school system, add the following sentence to the end of the first paragraph: "(Child's name) has been identified as having (name of disability) by (name of professional). Enclosed is a copy of the report(s) I have received that explains (child's name) condition."

Note: The "cc:" at the bottom of the letter means you are sending a copy of your letter to the people listed after the cc.

Back to top
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**Highly Rated Resource! This resource was reviewed by 3-member panels of Parent Center staff working independently from one another to rate the quality, relevance, and usefulness of CPIR resources. This resource was found to be of "High Quality, High Relevance, High Usefulness" to Parent Centers.
________________________________________

Would you like to read another letter?

Requesting an evaluation for special education services
(you're already here)

Requesting mediation to resolve a conflict
https://www.parentcenterhub.org/mediation-2/

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Requesting an Initial Evaluation for Special Education Services

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From our series of model letters...because sometimes you need to communicate with the school about your child's education. Current as of February 2022 En español | In Spanish In PDF format There are times when you, as a parent, may want to communicate in writing with your child's school about some problem or concern with your child's education or well-being.

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A Guide to Parents' Rights in Special Education

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A Guide to Parents' Rights in Special Education

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OPMP - Our Students Deserve Special Attention

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Ohio's Parent Mentor Project Our Students Deserve Special Attention Find a Parent Mentor Directory Special Education Resources Basics of Special Education We Are Here To Help For nearly 30 years, Ohio Parent Mentors has helped families navigate local and state special education processes and services so that children with disabilities can get the most out of

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Ohio Coaltion for the Education of Children with Disabilities

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Ohio Coaltion for the Education of Children with Disabilities

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Ohio Coalition for Education of Children with Disabilities works with parents to help them obtain the assistance they need. If you need one-to-one assistance, call (740) 382-5452 or email us at The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) is a statewide nonprofit organization that serves families of infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities in Ohio, educators and agencies who provide services to them.

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Who We Are

About Us

Disability Rights Ohio is a non-profit corporation with a mission to advocate for the human, civil and legal rights of people with disabilities in Ohio.

Since October 2012, Disability Rights Ohio has served as Ohio's Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system and Client Assistance Program (CAP). It is governed by a Board of Directors, primarily consisting of people with disabilities and family members of people with disabilities.
See this in ASL
Our Vision

We envision a society in which people with disabilities are full and equal members, enjoy the rights and opportunities of all people, are self-directed, make decisions about where, how and with whom they will live, learn, work and play, have access to needed services and supports, and are free from abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination.

How We Help

At Disability Rights Ohio, we provide legal advocacy and rights protection to a wide range of people with disabilities. This includes assisting individuals with problems such as abuse, neglect, discrimination, access to assistive technology, special education, housing, employment, community integration, voting and rights protection issues.

Disability Rights Ohio is also Ohio's Protection and Advocacy System for Individuals with Mental Illness (PAIMI), which is guided by the PAIMI Advisory Council. In order to be as effective as possible with limited resources, Disability Rights Ohio must set priorities for our work each year.

"Valor is stability, not of legs and arms, but of courage and soul."

-Michel de Montaigne

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Midwest New Media, LLC - http://www.midwestnewmedia.com

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Disability Rights Ohio is a non-profit corporation with a mission to advocate for the human, civil and legal rights of people with disabilities in Ohio. Since October 2012, Disability Rights Ohio has served as Ohio's Protection and Advocacy (P&A) system and Client Assistance Program (CAP).

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Ohio Dept of Education and Workforce Post Secondary Transition Road Map

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Ohio Dept of Education and Workforce Post Secondary Transition Road Map

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Individualized Education Program by the Numbers (2)

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Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) helps individuals and families of all abilities and ages develop a vision for a good life. What do you need to know and do? How can you find or develop supports? What does it take to live the life you want? CtLC helps individuals and families think through these questions, and the framework is the foundation for supporting a community of learning that champions transformational change through knowledge exchange, capacity building, and collaborative engagement.

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Charting the LifeCourse Charting the LifeCourse (CtLC) helps individuals and families of all abilities and ages develop a vision for a good life. What do you need to know and do? How can you find or develop supports? What does it take to live the life you want?

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Understood: How to tell if your child's IEP goals are SMART

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Understood: How to tell if your child's IEP goals are SMART

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Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

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Sec. 300.114 LRE requirements - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

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Statute/Regs Main » Regulations » Part B » Subpart B » Section 300.114 300.114 LRE requirements. (a) General. (1) Except as provided in §300.324(d)(2) (regarding children with disabilities in adult prisons), the State must have in effect policies and procedures to ensure that public agencies in the…

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Learn how to file a discrimination complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

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10 Ways to Support Your Child's Literacy at Home

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Supporting your child's literacy activities at home can help develop reading ability, comprehension, and language skills and improve your child's interest in reading, attitude toward reading, and focus.

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Ohio's Statewide Family Engagement Center

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Family Literacy Toolkit - Ohio’s Statewide Family Engagement Center

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Welcome to our literacy toolkit for parents! For each age group, you will find learning milestones, learning at home resources, ideas for communicating with your child’s school including questions to ask, and ways to get help as you advocate for your child’s learning needs. Early Childhood Elementary Middle & High School

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Welcome parents, caregivers, and guardians! We appreciate your continued support of your student's learning success. Savvas Learning Company serves over 13,000 school districts and 40,000,000 students with award-winning curricula in all subject areas for Grades K-12. Savvas Realize® is the digital learning management system that delivers your student's interactive Savvas course. With Realize, students can access their Savvas digital textbooks and assignments. Thank you for playing the most important role in your student's education.

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Discover all the information you need to access and use Savvas Realize® to support your student’s academic growth. Savvas supports caregivers, and students to ensure that learning thrives everywhere.

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Ohio's Statewide Family Engagement Center

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What is the science of reading? The basics for families - Ohio’s Statewide Family Engagement Center

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Download PDF: Arabic | Chinese Simplified | Dari | English | French | Haitian Creole | Nepali | Russian | Somali | Spanish | Swahili | Ukrainian Audio Version: 🔊 English The science of reading is a growing collection of information from research that shows how people’s brains best learn to read and write. Scientists of all […]