What happens to an IEP if you homeschool?
What a district still owes a child with an IEP who leaves for home education. It depends on state law.
Under the US Department of Education's guidance, whether a homeschooled child with a disability gets the same treatment as other children in private school is decided under state law. The district where you live must still find and evaluate children, but a child in private school has no individual right to the services in an IEP. Public school with an IEP stays open if you enroll.
Checked October 29, 2026.
This is a plain-words summary, not legal advice. Laws change: check your state's current law (each state page links to the statute) and its education department before you act.
What does federal law say about an IEP and homeschool?
The Department of Education's Q&A on children whose parents place them in private schools says:
- Whether a homeschooled child with a disability counts as a parentally placed private school child "is determined under State law". If the state recognizes home schools as private schools, the child is treated like other parentally placed private school children.
- Generally the district where the child lives is responsible for child find, including evaluations, for homeschooled children.
- A child with a disability placed in private school by a parent has no individual right to the special education and related services the child would get in public school (34 CFR 300.137). The district may offer some services through a services plan, which is usually less than an IEP.
- If you enroll your child full time in the public school, the district must make a free appropriate public education available under the IDEA.
The Department says its Q&A is guidance, not law. This page is not legal advice.
Will my child lose services if I withdraw?
It depends on your state. Some states say homeschooled children are treated like private school children and can get a services plan; some say no entitlement; some let a child take part-time classes to get services. Read your state's line below before you withdraw, then ask your district in writing what it would offer.
What does each state say?
| State | What the state law page says | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | School districts are not required to provide special education programs or services to a child whose parent has chosen to educate the child in a home or private school and who refuses to consent to them (C.G.S. 10-184a). | checked Oct 27, 2026 |
| Delaware | A homeschool is considered a nonpublic school, and students in homeschools are deemed parentally-placed private school children for equitable services under the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (14 Del. C. 2703A). | checked Oct 27, 2026 |
| District of Columbia | A student who received specialized instruction or related services in public school is no longer eligible for those services once withdrawn, because the right to a free appropriate public education (FAPE) applies only to students enrolled in a DC public school. A family may request an evaluation at any time. | checked Oct 27, 2026 |
| Maine | Home instruction students can get special education and related services at their local public school only if they take classes there, and only as their disability requires. | checked Oct 27, 2026 |
| Massachusetts | The Department says home-schooled students have a right to special education services, and districts must evaluate students suspected of having a disability. | checked Oct 27, 2026 |
| Michigan | Home-schooled students may enroll in nonessential classes at the resident public school. Students registered and approved with the Department may also get special education services through a Nonpublic School Service Plan. | checked Oct 27, 2026 |
| Minnesota | Public school services: districts may provide health and guidance and counseling services to homeschool students, and must allow homeschool students to receive special education services. Homeschool students without an IEP can request shared time classes, but local policy decides whether that is available. | checked Oct 27, 2026 |
| Nebraska | The department tells families to contact the resident public school about services their child may still be eligible for if homeschooled. | checked Oct 27, 2026 |
| Nevada | School boards must provide special education and related services for homeschooled children who would otherwise be eligible, in the same manner as for children voluntarily placed in private schools. | checked Oct 27, 2026 |
| New Jersey | A public school district must review a written request for a special education evaluation, including for children educated at home. | checked Oct 27, 2026 |
| North Dakota | If an assessment team finds a child needs special education, the parent may continue home education by filing a services plan with the school district superintendent (NDCC 15.1-23-13). | checked Oct 27, 2026 |
| Tennessee | Home school students are entitled to the same services as children their parents place in private schools, through a district services plan, not a free appropriate public education. | checked Oct 27, 2026 |
| Utah | The State Board of Education says the district must find and evaluate children with disabilities who live in the district, including homeschooled ones, with the parent's permission, but a full-time homeschooled student has no individual right to the services a public school student gets. | checked Oct 27, 2026 |
| Vermont | The Agency of Education says students in home study are not entitled to special education supports and services through the school, and families must provide adaptations to support their student's education. | checked Oct 27, 2026 |
| West Virginia | The state board develops guidelines for home schooling special education students, including alternative assessment measures. | checked Oct 27, 2026 |
States not listed: we haven't found a line on this. Ask your state education department.
Can I still ask for an evaluation?
In many states yes; the Department says the district of residence generally does child find for homeschooled children. Peabody Parents explains how to ask for an evaluation and IEPs and 504 plans.
What to do before withdrawing
- Ask the school for the current IEP and evaluations, in writing.
- Ask what services, if any, the district offers a homeschooled child.
- Then follow your state's withdrawal steps.
Sources
- US Department of Education: Questions and Answers on Serving Children with Disabilities Placed by Their Parents in Private Schools (revised February 2022) (checked October 29, 2026)
- 34 CFR 300.137, equitable services (Cornell Legal Information Institute) (checked October 29, 2026)
- Peabody's state homeschool law pages (each lists its statutes and education department pages) (checked October 27, 2026)