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The Committee on Special Education (“CSE”) has adopted these guidelines on IEEs in order to explain the rights of parents/guardians and the responsibilities of the District with regard to IEEs, and also to avoid any misunderstandings.

DEFINED

An independent educational evaluation (IEE) is an evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the  District responsible for the child’s education.

If the parent/guardian disagrees with the evaluation conducted by the District, the parent/guardian may request, in writing, one IEE at public expense for each District evaluation, specifying the evaluation(s) to be completed. The request should be sent to the Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Yorktown Central School District, 2729 Crompond Road, Yorktown Heights, NY 10598. The District must either ensure that the IEE is provided at public expense or initiate an impartial hearing to show that its evaluation is appropriate. If the impartial hearing officer determines that the District’s evaluation is appropriate, the parent would not have the right to a publicly funded IEE or to reimbursement for an IEE they may have already obtained, but may present any evaluations obtained by the parent for consideration by the CSE.

PUBLIC EXPENSE

The District shall reimburse parents for the cost for an IEE at a rate not to exceed $5,500. Exceptions to the rates, as set forth below, may be permitted upon reasonable evidence of extenuating circumstances.

Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) Rates: 

• Neuropsychological $5500

• Psycho-Educational $1900

• Speech/Language $900

• Psychiatric $1800 

• Occupational Therapy $550

• Physical Therapy $550

PAYMENT

The District may pay for an independent evaluation or assessment only if conducted by an individual who possesses a current license or certification from New York State in the area of the evaluation. 

The District, upon receiving a request for an IEE, will forward an acknowledgement letter to the parent/guardian. Such letter may include a request for any further information needed by the District to reach a decision regarding approval and/or payment. The parent/guardian shall be notified, in writing, within a reasonable time whether the District has approved the IEE. If the request is approved, a copy of the written report regarding the evaluation must be attached to the request for reimbursement. The evaluation may not commence prior to the approval of the IEE by the District. The bill for the evaluation shall include a detailed breakdown of costs (e.g., record review, client interview, test administration, scoring and interpretation, and report writing, etc.) and must be submitted to the District with proof of payment and a request for reimbursement.

If the request for the IEE is denied, the reason(s) for the denial, as well as any intention of the District to initiate a hearing to support this refusal, will be addressed to the parents/guardians in writing. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

Parents/Guardians may select any professional who meets the criteria stated in this regulation. It is the responsibility of that independent evaluator to contact the District to arrange, where appropriate, for date(s) of classroom visitations and/or discussions with school staff. The independent evaluator is also responsible for sending a copy of their current New York state license to the Director of Pupil Personnel Services.

The District has the responsibility to designate the geographic area within which the parent/guardian must have the independent evaluation at public expense. The District will permit parents/guardians to select any qualified independent evaluator in practice within a 100 mile radius of the District at the time the parent/guardian makes the request of the District, as long as the qualified professional selected by the parent/guardian is a certified and/or licensed evaluator in New York State. An independent evaluator is qualified when such individual meets the same criteria the District uses when it initiates an evaluation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Parents/guardians can obtain further information on IEEs by contacting the Director of Pupil Personnel Services at (914) 243-8150. Parents/guardians can also contact the New York State Education Department for additional information on IEEs at (914) 940-2900.

Ref:

8NYCRR§§200.1(u); 200.5(a)(1)(vi)(a)

34CFR§§300.12; 300.503

Adoption date: December 1, 1995

Amended date: May 19, 2008

Reviewed date: April 24, 2017

Amended date: September 17, 2018

Amended date: August 28, 2023