Sample Letter for Independent Education Evaluation

Submit the letter by email or by certified mail. Keep a copy of the letter for your records and proof of the date that the NYC Department of Education (NYCDOE) received the letter.

Replace blue, bolded type with your information

School IEP Team or Committee on Special Education Office (CSE)*

Address

Re:

Your Child’s Name, Date of Birth, School, ID, or OSIS#**

Date

Dear [School Psychologist (or CSE Chairperson)*],

On [date] my child, [name of child] was [re]evaluated in [insert type of assessments (e.g. all areas of suspected disability/speech and language)] for eligibility to receive special education services.  After discussing and reviewing the evaluation report, I do not believe that the results accurately reflect [child’s name] abilities. Therefore, I am requesting an Independent Education Evaluation at the DOE’s expense as I am entitled to by state and federal law.  

Please send me a copy of the DOE’s guidelines and process for obtaining an Assessment Authorization, so that we can timely move forward with next steps in a timely manner and an IEE can be completed. Thank you in advance for your quick response. I am grateful for your support.

Sincerely,

Your Name

Your Address

Your Telephone Number

Cc: [Principal]

*If your child attends a District 1-32 or District 75 school, address the letter to your school-based IEP team. If your child attends a charter school, does not attend a public school, or is not in school, contact the CSE Chairperson. You can find the CSE and CSE Chairperson information for your district here: https://on.nyc.gov/2yEFK23.

**You can find this number on the first page of the IEP near your student’s name.