A second opinion you can trust, help getting ready for IEP meetings, and free tools to help you speak up for your child.
Dr. Valentine serves families outside Kern High School District.
A full, private second opinion when you disagree with the school's findings.
Evaluations for learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and intellectual and processing needs.
Dr. Valentine helps you understand your rights, prepare for IEP meetings, and ask for the services your child needs.
Functional behavior assessments and practical behavior plans for home and school, from a BCBA.
Hands-on academic and behavior support, with progress tracked so you can see what is working.
Dr. Valentine attends the IEP meeting to explain the results clearly to you and the team.
Plain-English guides written by Dr. Valentine.
How schools decide autism eligibility, and what an evaluation looks at.
Why reading is hard, and what kind of reading help works.
Attention at school, and whether an IEP or 504 plan fits.
Your right to a second evaluation the district pays for.
What is in an IEP and your rights at the meeting.
12 rights every parent has, and what to do if you disagree.
Accommodations in the regular classroom, and how to ask.
Ask for an assessment, an IEE or a 504 plan. Type your information once.
What to bring to your child's IEP meeting.
An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is an evaluation done by a qualified professional who does not work for your child's school district.
If you disagree with the school's evaluation, you have the right to ask the district for an IEE at public expense. That usually means the district pays, not you.
Copy this letter, fill in the parts in [brackets], and email or mail it to your district's special education office. Keep a copy for yourself.
[Today's date] [Name of Director of Special Education] [School district name] [District address] Re: Request for an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) for [child's full name], date of birth [DOB], [school], grade [grade] Dear [Director's name], I am the parent of [child's name], who attends [school]. On [date of the school's evaluation], the district completed a [type of evaluation, for example "psychoeducational"] evaluation of my child. I disagree with that evaluation. Under federal law (34 C.F.R. § 300.502) and California Education Code section 56329(b), I am requesting an Independent Educational Evaluation at public expense in the following area(s): [for example, psychoeducational / behavior]. Please send me the district's IEE criteria in writing. I would like Valentine Psychological Services (Dr. Valentine, Licensed Educational Psychologist) to complete the evaluation. Please reply to me in writing. Thank you for your help. Sincerely, [Your name] [Your phone number] [Your email]
This template is general information, not legal advice. Your district must respond without unnecessary delay, either by agreeing to pay for the IEE or by filing for a hearing to defend its own evaluation.
A free phone call is the first step.