Independent Educational Evaluations
Speech & Language IEEs for families who need a second look, and the clarity that comes with it.
Join the families who’ve found clarity and confidence through a second look.
When the school’s evaluation doesn’t feel like the full picture, you have the right to ask for another one.
You know your child. You see the moments others might miss…the way they communicate, the things they’re working through, the strengths that don’t always show up on a standardized test. So when a school district’s evaluation lands on your kitchen table and something feels off – incomplete, dismissive, or just not quite right – trust that instinct.
You have the right under IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) to request an Independent Educational Evaluation, at no cost to you, when you disagree with the school’s findings. That’s where we come in.
What is an IEE?
An Independent Educational Evaluation is a comprehensive assessment conducted by a qualified outside provider, someone not employed by the school district. The purpose is simple: to give you, your child, and the IEP team a clearer, more complete understanding of your child’s communication needs.
At Valued Voices, our IEEs in the area of Speech and Language are thorough, neurodiversity-affirming, and grounded in the belief that every child deserves to be seen for who they truly are, not who a checklist says they should be.
Our IEE Process
Every evaluation we conduct is tailored to your child, but the foundation looks like this:
Records review. We carefully review the school district’s evaluation, prior reports, IEPs, and any relevant medical or developmental history.
Parent and teacher input. Your insight matters. We gather information from the people who know your child best.
Direct assessment. Using a combination of standardized and dynamic, play-based, and observational measures, we evaluate your child’s speech, language, and communication in a way that honors their unique style of expression.
Comprehensive written report. You’ll receive a detailed report with clear findings, clinical impressions, and meaningful, individualized recommendations.
IEP meeting attendance. When appropriate, we attend your child’s IEP meeting to present our findings and help advocate for what your child actually needs.
Who We Serve
We provide IEEs for families across California and Pennsylvania. Whether your child is in a public school district, a charter school, or a non-public school placement, we’re here to help.
We also welcome inquiries from school districts seeking a trusted, qualified outside evaluator. Our work is rooted in objectivity, professionalism, and a deep respect for the collaborative IEP process.
Why Families Choose Valued Voices
More than two decades of experience supporting children with complex communication profiles
Specialized expertise in Gestalt Language Processing, oral motor and feeding, AAC, and neurodivergent communication styles
Reports written in clear, accessible language, not buried in jargon
A neurodiversity-affirming lens that centers your child’s authentic voice
Strong working relationships with attorneys, advocates, and school teams
What a Comprehensive IEE Can Reveal
A thorough speech and language evaluation does more than produce scores. It gives you and the IEP team a fuller understanding of how your child actually communicates:
Insight into how your child understands and uses both nonverbal and verbal communication
A picture of how your child uses language to communicate thoughts, needs, wants, feelings, and ideas
Recognition of the multiple ways your child expresses themselves, so they feel heard and understood
An understanding of how your child’s skills carry over across peers and different settings
Observations about your child’s focus and attention during tasks
A view of your child’s play skills and how they support communication
How to Get Started
If you’ve already requested an IEE from your school district, or you’re thinking about it, reach out. We’ll walk you through the next steps, answer your questions, and coordinate directly with the district once your request is approved.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. Let’s get your child the evaluation they deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Two answers are currently swapped, and one question (“Who are speech language pathologists?”) has no matching answer. The corrected pair is below, the other six FAQs are correct as-is.
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An Independent Educational Evaluation is an assessment conducted by a qualified provider outside of your child’s school district. Parents typically pursue an IEE when they disagree with the results, recommendations, or scope of the school’s evaluation, or when they feel the school’s assessment didn’t capture the full picture of their child’s communication needs.
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That’s not unusual, and it’s part of why IEEs exist. Our role is to provide an objective, evidence-based evaluation. If the school disagrees, our findings still belong on the table and must be considered by the IEP team. If your case escalates to mediation or due process, we can discuss next steps with you and your attorney.
