By mid-year, many school teams and families start asking the same quiet question: Is what we’re doing really enough?
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 14% of public school students receive special education services, and many more receive interventions or accommodations without formal eligibility. For a significant number of these students, progress is not linear—and the reasons behind learning, emotional, or behavioral challenges are not always simple.
A student may be trying hard but still struggling. Interventions may be in place, yet progress feels slow or unclear. Parents may sense that something more is going on, while educators are working to piece together data, observations, and next steps. It’s in these moments—when everyone wants to help but the path forward feels blurry—that Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) often enter the conversation.
An IEE is a comprehensive evaluation completed by a qualified professional who is not employed by the school district. At its core, an IEE is about clarity. It provides an objective, in-depth look at a student’s strengths, needs, and learning profile so that teams can make informed, confident decisions about eligibility, services, and educational planning.
At Wraparound Experts, we are a multidisciplinary team of licensed, school-based special education and mental health professionals serving students and families across Northeast Ohio and beyond. We work alongside families, school teams, administrators, and community partners who all share the same goal: understanding the whole child and building the right supports to help them thrive.
Our Independent Educational Evaluations are:
- Conducted by dually licensed school and clinical psychologists, a licensed speech-language pathologist, and a licensed occupational therapist
- Neutral, comprehensive, and legally sound
- Designed to produce clear, defensible reports that support IEP teams, collaboration, and, when needed, mediation or due process
- Focused on practical, school-based recommendations that can actually be implemented
- Currently available with no waitlist
A high-quality IEE should do more than produce scores and graphs. It should tell a story that makes sense to everyone at the table.
A strong evaluation:
- Explains the why behind a student’s struggles
- Highlights strengths alongside areas of need
- Provides clear, actionable recommendations for instruction, supports, and services
- Helps families and educators feel aligned rather than overwhelmed
At Wraparound Experts, our evaluators don’t believe in reports that sit on a shelf. We believe in evaluations that guide real change. We collaborate with school teams, participate in meetings when helpful, and translate complex data into language that families and educators can understand and use. An IEE should leave teams saying, “Now we know what to do next,” not “Now what?”
Clearing Up a Few Common Misconceptions
- IEEs are not about “challenging” schools. They are about deepening understanding and strengthening planning.
- Independence doesn’t mean isolation. An IEE can be both objective and highly collaborative.
- Not every IEE looks the same. Some focus on cognitive or academic functioning, while others examine behavior, speech and language, occupational therapy needs, or sensory processing—depending on the questions being asked and the student’s profile.
When done well, an IEE becomes a bridge—connecting families, educators, and specialists around a shared understanding of a student and a clear, coordinated plan for support.
If you’re a parent seeking clarity, a school leader looking for comprehensive data, or a professional supporting students through complex learning or behavioral needs, our team is here to help.
📞 216-606-9328 Ext. 706
📩 cateam@wraparoundexperts.com
🌐 wraparoundexperts.com/independent-education-evaluation-services