Navigating the special education system in a large district like Kern High School District (KHSD) requires persistence and a clear understanding of your rights. As students enter their critical high school years, the stakes for appropriate IEP support—including transition goals and college readiness—have never been higher.
If you feel the district's recent triennial or initial evaluation doesn't fully capture your student's needs, or if you disagree with the recommended placement or services, you have the legal right to an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at public expense.
Why High School Assessments Are Different
In KHSD, evaluations must go beyond basic academics. They must address the "Continuum of Services" and post-secondary goals. Assessment areas that often require independent review include:
Executive Functioning
Can the student manage high school workloads, deadlines, and multi-step projects independently?
Social Pragmatics
Addressing complex peer interactions and self-advocacy skills needed for adulthood.
Vocational Capacity
Identifying the specific motor or cognitive supports needed for future career paths.
Legal Fact: Per 34 C.F.R. §300.502, if you disagree with a KHSD evaluation, the district must either fund an IEE or file for due process to prove their assessment is "appropriate."
Navigating the IEE Process in Bakersfield
Requesting an IEE isn't just about getting a second opinion—it's about ensuring a thorough, clinical look at a student's entire educational profile. In Kern County, CAS provides the necessary objectivity that parents seek.
1. The Written Request
You should notify your KHSD program manager or case carrier in writing that you disagree with the district's assessment and are requesting an IEE in specific areas (e.g., Psychoeducational, Speech, Adaptive PE).
2. Selecting an Evaluator
While KHSD may provide a list of "approved" evaluators, you have the right to choose any qualified professional who meets the district's reasonable criteria. CAS evaluators meet and exceed KHSD criteria for licensure and experience.
3. The IEP Meeting
Once the independent report is finished, the IEP team must consider the results. Our evaluators attend these meetings to ensure the clinical findings are properly translated into actionable IEP goals.
KHSD Discipline and Behavioral Support
Many students in Kern High School District struggle with behavior issues that impact their placement. If your student is facing suspension or a change of placement, an independent Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) can provide the data needed for a more effective Behavioral Intervention Plan (BIP).
Dispute Resolution Options
If open communication fails with the district, remember your procedural safeguards:
- Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Collaborative consensus building.
- Mediation: Assistance from the California Department of Education.
- Due Process: Formal legal resolution for program disagreements.
Bakersfield's Trusted IEE Specialists
Licensed Experts
Our LEPs, SLPs, and OTs have decades of experience working specifically with high school populations.
Defensible Reports
We provide thorough, evidence-based reports that stand up to legal scrutiny in Kern County.
IEP Representation
We don't just hand you a report—we attend the IEP meeting to advocate for the findings.
Ready to Request an IEE in KHSD?
Professional, unbiased, and thorough educational evaluations are just a phone call away. Let us help you navigate the process.
