Independent Functional Behavior Assessments

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Getting Started

  • Yes. Parents, educational advocates, attorneys, and other referral sources may contact Open Path at different stages of the process.

    An introductory call can be used to discuss the concerns, the evaluation already completed by the school district, questions that remain, and whether Open Path may be an appropriate evaluator. Open Path can provide general information about the evaluation process but does not provide legal advice.

  • No. Open Path cannot guarantee a particular outcome, placement, service, or Team decision. Findings and recommendations are based on the information gathered through the evaluation.

  • The introductory call is used to understand the reason for the referral, what evaluations and supports are already in place, where the family is in the IEE process, and what the evaluation may need to clarify.

    The call may also address anticipated scope, funding status, required records, access to the educational setting, and whether Open Path may be a fit for the referral.

  • No. Open Path does not provide emergency services, crisis response, psychotherapy, medical care, or urgent safety intervention. If there is an immediate safety concern, families should contact appropriate emergency or crisis services.

  • Yes, when relevant and authorized. Open Path may review existing diagnostic, medical, medication, sleep, health, trauma, and clinical information as part of understanding the child’s functioning and educational needs.

    Open Path does not diagnose medical or psychiatric conditions and does not make medication recommendations.

  • An IEE can provide an in-depth understanding of your child’s learning style, strengths, and areas needing support. The results can guide decisions about educational placements, accommodations, interventions, and therapies that may better support your child’s success in school.

  • If there are differences, I can help explain the findings and discuss potential reasons for any discrepancies. My goal is to provide you with a thorough and unbiased understanding of your child’s needs, which can be a valuable addition to the school’s data in developing an effective plan.

  • Under IDEA, parents have the right to obtain an Independent Educational Evaluation completed by a qualified evaluator who is not employed by the public agency responsible for the child’s education.

    When a parent disagrees with an evaluation completed by the school district, the parent may request an IEE at public expense. The district must, without unnecessary delay, either ensure that the IEE is publicly funded or initiate a due-process hearing to defend its evaluation. A parent may also obtain an IEE privately at any time.

  • Yes. Open Path accepts private-pay referrals. Massachusetts regulations permit a parent to obtain an Independent Educational Evaluation at private expense at any time.

    When a privately funded evaluation is shared with the school district and meets applicable agency criteria, the district must consider it when making educational decisions regarding the student.

  • Private-pay Independent FBAs generally begin at $3,500. The total fee depends on the evaluation scope, including the amount of record review, interviews, observations, travel, data analysis, and report preparation required. The specific scope, flat fee, and payment terms are discussed during the introductory call and confirmed in writing before the evaluation begins.

  • Massachusetts IEE rights and funding procedures are addressed in:

    • 603 CMR 28.04(5)

    • 34 C.F.R. § 300.502

    • Massachusetts DESE Special Education Policy Memo SY2024–2025—7

    • The Parent’s Notice of Procedural Safeguards

    The DESE policy memo explains federal public funding, Massachusetts’ voluntary income-based option, district responsibilities, and timelines.

IEE Rights and Funding

The Evaluation Process

Findings and Report

  • The records reviewed depend on the referral questions and information available. They may include:

    • the current and prior IEPs

    • school evaluations and progress reports

    • neuropsychological, psychological, developmental, or other evaluations

    • existing FBAs and Behavior Intervention Plans

    • school, in-home, outpatient, or residential treatment plans

    • behavioral, incident, attendance, disciplinary, or service data

    • hospital, CBAT, crisis, or program discharge summaries

    • other records relevant to the student’s presentation and educational needs

  • Massachusetts regulations state that, whenever possible, the independent evaluation and written report should be completed within 30 days after the parent requests the IEE.

    The practical schedule may also depend on authorization, receipt of records, availability for interviews, access to observations, and the complexity of the referral. Open Path reviews the anticipated evaluation schedule before services begin.

  • Record review and some interviews may be completed remotely.

    Direct observations are conducted in the educational settings, activities, routines, and interactions most relevant to the referral questions. Additional settings may be considered when they are relevant to the evaluation scope and the necessary consent and access are available.

  • The report summarizes the referral questions, evaluation procedures, information and data gathered, behavioral patterns, functional hypotheses, conclusions, and educationally relevant recommendations.

    Recommendations may address prevention strategies, communication and replacement skills, instructional or environmental changes, goals and accommodations, reinforcement, adult responses, staff training, data collection, progress monitoring, services, and team coordination.

  • The findings may help inform the development or revision of a Behavior Intervention Plan, IEP goals and accommodations, instructional and environmental supports, staff responses, consultation or training needs, and broader educational planning.

    The report provides information for the parent and school Team to consider. It does not independently determine eligibility, services, or placement.

  • Yes. Open Path does not begin an evaluation with a predetermined conclusion about services, programming, or placement.

    Conclusions are developed from the records, interviews, observations, behavioral data, current supports, and other information gathered during the evaluation.

  • Open Path prepares the written report and then meets with the family to review the findings and recommendations before the IEP Team reconvenes. The report is then considered by the Team as part of educational planning.