FOR FAMILIES
Independent Educational Evaluations in Northern Arizona
An Independent Educational Evaluation is a second, outside look at your child’s learning, conducted by a qualified evaluator who does not work for your school district. Sky Island conducts IEEs for families across Flagstaff and the greater Northern Arizona area, in English or Spanish.
Who this is for
You disagree with the school’s evaluation
The report came back and it does not match the child you know. Under IDEA you are allowed to disagree, and to ask for an independent evaluation at public expense.
You were told your child does not qualify
An eligibility decision rested on testing you have questions about, and you want a second, independent look at the data.
The evaluation missed the language question
Your child is bilingual or an English learner, and the evaluation did not account for language history, schooling history, or cultural context.
You want a clearer plan, not just a label
You need recommendations specific enough that the IEP team can act on them next week, not general statements.
How an IEE with Sky Island works
Talk with us first
A short, no-cost conversation about your concern, the existing evaluation, and whether an IEE is the right tool. If it is not, we will tell you.
Request in writing
You ask the district in writing for an IEE at public expense. We can explain what that request generally includes; the request is yours to make.
District response
Under 34 C.F.R. § 300.502 the district either agrees to fund the evaluation or requests a due process hearing to defend its own.
Records and planning
With your consent we review the school’s evaluation, IEP or MET paperwork, work samples, and relevant history before any testing begins.
Assessment
Direct assessment with your child, teacher and parent input, observation where appropriate, and instruments selected for your child — including assessment in Spanish when that is the right language.
Report and meeting
A written report with findings and specific, usable recommendations, a feedback meeting in your preferred language, and participation in the IEP team meeting as arranged.
Who conducts the evaluation
Every IEE at Sky Island is conducted by Enilda Sutton, Ed.S., NCSP — a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, certified by the Arizona Department of Education, with over a decade of PreK–12 experience and full working fluency in Spanish and English. You will know who is evaluating your child before you agree to anything.
- Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP)
- Arizona Department of Education Certified School Psychologist
- Over a decade of experience in PreK through 12th grade
- Bilingual in Spanish & English
Where we work
Sky Island serves families across the greater Northern Arizona area. Scheduling depends on travel distance and current caseload, so reach out early if timelines matter in your case.
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Common questions
Who pays for an IEE?
If you disagree with the school’s evaluation, IDEA gives you the right to request an IEE at public expense. The district either funds it or requests a due process hearing to defend its evaluation. Families may also arrange a privately funded evaluation.
Do I have to use an evaluator the district suggests?
Districts may give you a list, and they may set reasonable criteria, but you are generally entitled to choose a qualified independent evaluator who meets those criteria. Sky Island contracts directly with districts when an IEE is publicly funded.
How long does it take?
It depends on district response time, records, scheduling, and the scope of the evaluation. We give you a realistic timeline before we begin rather than an optimistic one.
Can the evaluation be done in Spanish?
Yes. Assessment can be conducted directly in Spanish where that is appropriate for the student, and family meetings and the feedback conversation can be held in Spanish.
Does an IEE guarantee a different outcome?
No. An IEE is an independent professional opinion, not a predetermined result. We report what the data shows, including when it agrees with the school.
Not sure whether an IEE is what you need?
That is a good reason to reach out. Describe the situation and we will tell you honestly whether an independent evaluation would help.
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