What happens after I request an independent assessment?

After the independent assessment is completed, the IEP team will meet to discuss the results. The assessor should attend the meeting to explain their findings and answer questions. The IEP team will then discuss how best to incorporate their recommendations into the child’s IEP. If you agree with most but not all of the IEP team’s decisions about how to implement the assessor’s recommendations, you can sign the IEP and note that your consent is only partial. This way, the portions of the IEP you agree with can be implemented, and you can work to resolve the area(s) of dispute through further conversation with the IEP team. If you disagree with a portion of the IEP, write down on the IEP document or in an addendum which portions you disagree with, and that you reserve the right to challenge the disagreed-upon portion of the IEP.

For more information about this topic, check out our article Assessments and IEEs.