Homeschooling and special education

Child Find: evaluations

• Under IDEA, every state must make sure that all children with disabilities living in the state who need special education are identified, located and evaluated – including children attending private schools. This is called Child Find.
• For homeschooled children, the U.S. Department of Education says that generally the school district where the child lives is responsible for Child Find, including initial evaluations and reevaluations.
• You can ask your district in writing to evaluate your child. Evaluations need your consent.

Does a homeschooled child count as a private school child?

It depends on state law. If your state treats homeschools as private schools, homeschooled children with disabilities must be treated in the same way as other children placed by their parents in private schools. If it doesn’t, the private school rules below may not apply. Your state guide includes what we found about special education in your state.

Equitable services and services plans

• Children placed by their parents in private schools have no individual right to receive some or all of the special education they would get in a public school.
• Instead, districts spend a share of their federal IDEA money on “equitable services” for this group of children, after consulting private school representatives and parents.
• A child who is chosen to receive services gets a services plan describing the services the district will provide. The amount can be less than in a public school.

If you enroll in public school

• See going back to school: students with disabilities for asking for an evaluation, IEPs and Section 504 plans when you enroll.
• If you enroll your child in public school full-time, the district (generally your district of residence) must make a free appropriate public education (FAPE) available, with an IEP if your child is eligible.
• Some states let homeschooled children take part-time classes. Whether such a child is treated as a private school child or a public school child is again decided by state law – even if they attend public school for part of the day.

Leaving school with an IEP or 504 plan

• When you withdraw your child, the school’s IEP or Section 504 plan generally stops applying in the same way, because the school is no longer educating your child. Ask your district what it can offer before you withdraw.
• Ask for copies of all evaluations, the IEP or 504 plan and progress reports with our records request. They help you plan, and help if your child goes back to school later.
• Some states have their own rules for homeschooling a child with a disability, such as extra reporting or a qualified evaluator – check your state guide.

Keeping records of support

A simple log of therapies, tutors and progress helps with any evaluation or services plan. Our tutor session log and portfolio template are free.