School-Based Evaluations
(IEE & District)
Partnering with Families & Schools to Inform Student Success
We partner with both families and school districts to provide independent, school-based evaluations through Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) and district-directed assessments. Our evaluations are designed to provide clear, objective data to support educational planning, eligibility decisions, and individualized programming.
Brooks Powers Group maintains an independent approach to evaluations, regardless of the funding source.
Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs)
An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is an evaluation completed by a qualified outside provider who is not employed by the school district. It is typically requested by a family when they want an independent review of a school-based evaluation or additional information to support educational planning.
Common Reasons Families Pursue an IEE
Families often request an IEE when they are seeking an independent, outside perspective on school-based findings or when additional information is needed to support educational planning and advocacy. When districts agree to fund an IEE, families may arrange for an evaluation with a qualified provider of their choice. IEEs can assist in:
- Obtaining a second, independent opinion regarding school-based findings
- Clarifying or expanding upon prior district evaluations
- Supporting educational planning, placement, or advocacy needs
- Gaining additional information to inform IEP or eligibility decisions
Brooks Powers Group has conducted hundreds of IEEs for students in dozens of school districts.
What to Expect
IEEs are conducted using a comprehensive, independent evaluation process designed to provide a full understanding of the student’s needs. This may include:
- Comprehensive review of records
- Interviews with caregivers and, when appropriate, school staff and outside providers
- Questionnaires completed by caregivers, teachers, and students
- Direct testing with your child
- Observations in clinic and, when appropriate, in school or community settings
Following the evaluation, results are shared with families and the school team. In addition to a written summary evaluation report, findings are reviewed in a feedback session. When requested, we participate in school meetings, including IEP meetings.
District-Directed Evaluations
A district-directed evaluation is requested and funded by a school district to help answer specific questions about a student’s learning, development, or support needs. It is used to inform eligibility decisions, individualized programming, and educational planning.
Common Reasons Districts Request Evaluations
Districts refer students for evaluations when additional clinical insight is needed to support eligibility decisions, clarify questions about functioning, or inform individualized educational planning.
- Clarifying eligibility or special education needs
- Addressing specific referral questions from school teams
- Supporting IEP development and educational planning
- Obtaining additional clinical or diagnostic insight
We also work directly with school districts to complete evaluations aligned with specific referral questions and district needs.
School districts are invited to contact us to learn more about how we can provide additional clinical insight and data that may not otherwise be available within the school setting.
What to Expect
District-directed evaluations follow our comprehensive evaluations approach, tailored to the referral questions and needs of the school district. This may include:
- Comprehensive review of records
Interviews with caregivers, school staff, and outside providers - Questionnaires completed by caregivers, teachers, and students
- Direct testing with the student
- Observations in clinic and, when appropriate, in school or community settings
Following completion, findings are shared with the district and family as appropriate. Results are reviewed collaboratively with school teams, and participation in meetings (including IEP meetings) is available when requested.
Collaboration and Evaluation Philosophy
Our role in both IEEs and district-directed evaluations is to provide an objective, clinically informed perspective that supports thoughtful, individualized educational planning. We aim to help teams translate evaluation findings into meaningful supports that meet each student’s needs.