They serve different purposes
Educational eligibility and access
Conducted by the public school at no cost to determine whether a student qualifies for special education services and what school supports are needed.
Clinical and diagnostic questions
Arranged by the family, often for diagnosis, broader clinical understanding, treatment planning, or an independent perspective.
Key differences
Cost: School evaluations are free. Private evaluations may be self-pay or partly covered by insurance.
Decision: A school team determines educational eligibility. A licensed clinician may make clinical diagnoses within scope.
Scope: School testing focuses on educational impact. Private testing can address broader developmental, diagnostic, or medical questions.
Choice: Schools select qualified assessors. Families generally choose a private evaluator.
A clinical diagnosis does not guarantee an IEP, and a school eligibility category is not necessarily a medical diagnosis. Each system applies its own criteria.