Special Needs Homeschooling Guide
Having an IEP doesn’t mean you can’t homeschool. In every state, parents have the right to withdraw their child and educate at home. Here’s what you need to know.
Key Things to Understand
- The IEP generally does not transfer. When you withdraw your child from public school to homeschool, the IEP, which is a contract between your family and the school district, typically does not follow your child into the home setting.
- FAPE rights usually end upon withdrawal. Your child’s right to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) through the public school generally ends when you withdraw them. This is the biggest tradeoff families face.
- Child Find still applies. Under IDEA’s Child Find mandate, your school district must still identify and evaluate children suspected of having disabilities, even if they’re homeschooled. You can request an evaluation at any time.
- Some states offer ways to access services. Several states provide dual enrollment, Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), or special needs scholarships that let homeschooling families access therapies, specialized instruction, or partial public school services.
States with Notable Special Needs Provisions
Not every state leaves homeschooling families on their own. These states have provisions that may help families with special needs children access services, funding, or both.
States with Strong State-Level Protections
These states go beyond the federal minimum and provide state-mandated rights for homeschooled students with disabilities.
New York
Strong state protectionsIESP (Individualized Education Services Program) developed with same contents as IEP. State-level right under Education Law 3602-c, not merely federal proportionate share.
Read the full New York special needs guide →Washington
Strong state protectionsDistricts required ('shall permit') to enroll part-time students and provide ancillary services (RCW 28A.150.350). Mandatory, not discretionary. Financial penalties for refusal.
Read the full Washington special needs guide →States with ESA / Scholarship Funding
These states offer Education Savings Accounts or scholarship programs that can fund private therapies and services for children with disabilities.
Florida
ESA / scholarship fundingFES-UA (Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities) provides ESA funding ~$10,000-$34,000. Homeschool eligible per FL Stat 1002.394(4)(b)4. No prior public school IEP required.
Read the full Florida special needs guide →North Carolina
ESA / scholarship fundingPESA program provides $9,000-$17,000 for students with disabilities. Homeschool eligible. Requires Eligibility Determination from NC public school.
Read the full North Carolina special needs guide →Ohio
ESA / scholarship fundingJon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship ($10,045-$34,000) and Autism Scholarship ($32,445) available to homeschoolers. District must provide IEP for scholarship purposes.
Read the full Ohio special needs guide →Texas
ESA / scholarship fundingHomeschools treated as private schools (Leeper v. Arlington ISD, 1994). Dual enrollment ages 3-5 with full IEP. TEFA provides $2,000 for homeschool ($30,000 for private school).
Read the full Texas special needs guide →Additional States with ESA Funding for Special Needs
These states offer Education Savings Accounts where students with disabilities may receive higher funding amounts or where the program specifically targets special needs families.
Students who withdraw from public school to homeschool are not entitled to continued IEP services. Under IDEA, the public school district must spend a proportional share of federal funds on services for parentally-placed private school students (including those in church schools), but available services may be limited. Alabama's Exceptional Children program applies to public schools only. Some umbrella schools offer resources for families with special needs children.
Alabama residents ages 5-19 (up to 21 for IDEA/504), family income at or below 300% federal poverty level (~$93,600 for family of four), lawfully present in U.S. Priority given to students with special needs, then prior-year awardees, then by income level.
Homeschool students do not receive IEP services from public schools unless dual-enrolled. Withdrawing to homeschool effectively gives up the IEP. Under IDEA Child Find, districts must locate and evaluate children suspected of having disabilities even if homeschooled. ESA funds for students with disabilities are significantly higher ($9,000-$40,000+) and can be used for private therapies and specialized services.
All Arizona resident children eligible to enroll in a public school (ages 5-18) — universal eligibility since 2022
No specific homeschool provisions for special needs students. Withdrawing from public school forfeits IEP and public school special education services. Parent assumes full responsibility. Some services may be available through the Promise Scholarship ESA for eligible special needs students.
Primarily for students zoned for bottom-25% performing schools. Income limits apply (household income at or below 400% FPL). Must be Georgia resident for at least 1 year. Additional priority categories: students with special needs (IEP/504), foster care, active-duty military children.
Homeschooled students are not entitled to an IEP or full special education services from the public school district. Under IDEA, parentally-placed private school children (including homeschoolers) may receive limited equitable services at district discretion within proportionate share funding. The Indiana ESA program (IC 20-51.4) may provide additional resources for students with disabilities. Public school districts have a Child Find obligation to identify children with suspected disabilities, including those in non-public schools. Parents may request an evaluation through the local district. Upon re-enrollment in public school, the district must evaluate and provide an IEP if the child is found eligible.
Primarily for students with disabilities eligible for special education services. Sibling eligibility available for siblings of ESA recipients.
Homeschooled students under Pathway 1 (home study) are generally not entitled to an IEP through the public school system. Under IDEA Child Find, the local district must identify and evaluate children suspected of having disabilities, including homeschooled children. Some districts may offer limited services. ESA/scholarship programs may allow use of funds for educational therapies and specialized services.
2025-2026: Louisiana residents age 5-21 by September 30, must be entering kindergarten, prior public school enrollee, prior LSP participant, or family income ≤250% FPL. Future years expand eligibility. Students enrolled in an Approved Home Study Program or nonpublic school (not seeking state approval) are NOT eligible while in those programs — must exit home study to participate.
Students who withdraw from public school to homeschool forfeit their right to an IEP and public school special education services. Under IDEA, the district must spend a proportional share of federal funds on services for parentally-placed students, but services may be limited. The ESA program may provide alternative funding for students with qualifying disabilities.
Students with an active IEP within the past 3 years. Serves all special education disability categories. Legislature has considered expanding eligibility.
Homeschooled students are not entitled to an IEP through the public school district. Under IDEA, the child find obligation still applies -- the resident district must evaluate if a disability is suspected. Homeschooled students may be considered 'parentally placed private school children' with access to some services through a Services Plan, subject to proportionate share funding. Parents of special needs children can homeschool under Section 167.031 with no additional requirements. Missouri's Parents as Teachers (PAT) program may provide early childhood development services.
Statewide (geographic restriction removed by SB 727, 2024). Students with an IEP, or low-income families (up to 300% of free/reduced lunch threshold) who meet prior public-school attendance, kindergarten entry, or sibling criteria.
Children with disabilities who are homeschooled may not receive special education services from the public school district. The EFA program may provide additional funding for special needs students for therapies and specialized services. Families should carefully consider the tradeoff between homeschool flexibility and access to district-provided services.
Universal as of June 2025. Governor Ayotte signed legislation removing income threshold on June 10, 2025. Priority when enrollment cap reached: (1) currently enrolled EFA students, (2) siblings, (3) children with disabilities per RSA 186-C:2, (4) families at or below 350% FPL.
Children with disabilities may be home schooled under the same notice of intent process. Special education services (IEP) through public school generally cease upon withdrawal. Parents may request Child Find evaluations through the local district. Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship provides specific funding for children with disabilities.
Students with qualifying disabilities under IDEA (20 USC 1401(3)), documented by an IEP within the previous 3 years or a multidisciplinary team evaluation. Must be a primary resident of Utah with verification (utility bill, lease, property tax records, or income tax records). Each child must independently qualify; no sibling pass-through. Cannot simultaneously receive Utah Fits All or legacy Carson Smith Scholarship. Preschoolers who are homeschooled are not eligible.
States with Special Needs Scholarships
These states offer scholarship programs that may help offset the cost of therapies or specialized services for homeschooled children with disabilities.
Nevada
Children with disabilities may be home schooled under the same notification process. IEP services generally cease upon withdrawal from public school. Parents may request Child Find evaluations through the local school district. No dedicated special needs homeschool scholarship; the ESA program (if revived) would provide enhanced funding for students with disabilities.
Dual enrollment: NRS 392.074 requires school boards to authorize homeschooled children to participate in any classes (excluding sports, which are covered separately) at a public school in the district, provided: (1) space is available, (2) the parent demonstrates the child is qualified, and (3) a participation notice is filed under NRS 388D.070. This is a mandatory right ('shall authorize').
Read the full Nevada special needs guide →Oklahoma
Children with disabilities may be homeschooled under the same 'other means of education' provision. If a child was receiving special education services through public school, those services generally cease upon withdrawal. Parents may request a Child Find evaluation through the local school district under IDEA obligations. The Lindsey Nicole Henry Scholarships for Students with Disabilities Program provides voucher-like scholarships for students with IEPs to attend private schools; this is primarily for private school attendance, not direct homeschool funding.
Dual enrollment: Home-schooled students may enroll part-time in public school courses in some districts, though this is at the district's discretion.
Read the full Oklahoma special needs guide →West Virginia
Homeschooled students are not entitled to IEP services through the public school system. Under IDEA Child Find, the county must still identify and evaluate children suspected of having disabilities. Hope Scholarship funds can be used for educational therapies (speech, occupational, behavioral) making the ESA particularly valuable for special needs families.
Dual enrollment: Home-instructed students may attend any class offered by the county board, including career technical education (CTE) and Virtual School programs, upon county board approval (W.Va. Code §18-8-1(c)).
Read the full West Virginia special needs guide →Dual Enrollment
Some states allow homeschooled students to enroll part-time in public school for specific courses or services. This can be a way to access speech therapy, occupational therapy, or other specialized services your child may need, without giving up the flexibility of homeschooling.
39 states currently allow some form of dual enrollment for homeschoolers:
Homeschool students enrolled under a cover school may be eligible for dual enrollment at Alabama community colleges and universities. Requirements typically include ACT scores, enrollment verification from the umbrella school, and meeting institutional admissions criteria. Policies vary by institution.
AS 14.30.010(b) provides for part-time enrollment. Individual district policies vary.
Per A.R.S. Section 15-816.01 (open enrollment), homeschool students may enroll in courses at a public school on a part-time basis. Subject to same behavioral and eligibility standards as full-time students.
Home-schooled students may enroll part-time in public school courses.
Homeschooled students may access individual public school courses on a part-time basis. Districts have some discretion in how this is implemented.
Home education students registered under 1002.41 are eligible for dual enrollment at Florida public postsecondary institutions (Fla. Stat. 1007.271). Courses are tuition-free. Students must meet postsecondary institution admission and course prerequisites.
Georgia Dual Enrollment program (formerly Move On When Ready) allows eligible high school students, including homeschoolers, to take college courses at no cost. Covers tuition, fees, and textbooks at eligible Georgia postsecondary institutions. Administered by the Georgia Student Finance Commission. Students must meet age and readiness requirements.
Idaho Code 33-203 explicitly allows homeschooled students to attend public school programs and classes on a part-time basis, including individual classes. Dual enrollment at community colleges and universities is also available.
Per 105 ILCS 5/10-20.24, homeschooled students may attend their local public school part-time if: (1) the request is made by May 1 of the previous school year, (2) space is available, and (3) the child lives within the attendance zone. Driver's education must also be provided to eligible homeschooled students (105 ILCS 5/27-24.2). Community colleges generally accept homeschooled students for dual enrollment subject to institutional admissions requirements.
Homeschooled students may dual-enroll in public school courses or community college courses. Implementation varies by school corporation and institution. Ivy Tech and some four-year institutions offer concurrent enrollment programs accessible to homeschoolers.
Iowa Code Section 299A.8 provides homeschooled students the right to dual enroll in the public school district for individual academic courses, extracurricular activities (sports, band, clubs), special education services, and other services. Students must meet the same eligibility requirements as regularly enrolled students. A student cannot be denied participation solely because they are homeschooled. One of the strongest dual enrollment provisions in the Midwest.
K.S.A. 72-3120(h) (effective July 1, 2022) requires each school district to allow any child enrolled in a nonaccredited private school to enroll part-time to attend courses, programs, or services offered by the district. Districts must adopt a policy and publish it on their website. Districts must make a good faith attempt to accommodate scheduling requests but are not required to accommodate every request.
Kentucky homeschooled students may be eligible for dual enrollment in college courses through the state's community colleges and universities. Students typically must meet minimum age and/or grade-level requirements and may need to take placement tests.
Homeschooled students may enroll in dual enrollment courses at Louisiana post-secondary institutions, subject to meeting admission requirements. Policies vary by institution.
Under 20-A MRSA Section 5021, students receiving home instruction may enroll in any classes at the appropriate public school, including academic, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities.
Michigan's shared-time provision (MCL 388.1766) allows homeschool students to enroll in nonessential elective courses at their local public school. No statutory limit on the number of courses. Widely used for band, art, PE, AP classes, and career/technical education. Essential core courses (math, English, science, social studies) must be provided by the home school. District receives partial per-pupil funding. Community college and university dual enrollment also available.
Minnesota's Post-Secondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) program (Minn. Stat. 124D.09) allows 10th-12th grade students to take college courses at eligible institutions at no cost (10th graders limited to one CTE course). Homeschool students are eligible for PSEO. Homeschooled students may also enroll in individual public school courses on a shared-time basis.
Homeschool students may enroll in community college courses. Eligibility requirements vary by institution but typically include minimum age and ACT sub-scores. Policies set by the Mississippi Community College Board and individual institutions.
HB 396 (effective July 1, 2023) requires school trustees to admit resident children on a part-time basis upon parental request. Additionally, the Montana University System's One-Two-Free program allows homeschool students to take their first two dual enrollment college courses (up to 6 credits) tuition free, with additional courses at 50% of two-year resident tuition.
Neb. Rev. Stat. 79-2,136(1) requires school boards to allow part-time enrollment for exempt school (homeschool) students. This is a mandatory right ('shall establish policies and procedures to allow').
NRS 392.074 requires school boards to authorize homeschooled children to participate in any classes (excluding sports, which are covered separately) at a public school in the district, provided: (1) space is available, (2) the parent demonstrates the child is qualified, and (3) a participation notice is filed under NRS 388D.070. This is a mandatory right ('shall authorize').
New Hampshire has provisions allowing homeschooled students to participate in public school courses and activities on a part-time basis. See RSA 193:1-c for co-curricular activity participation by non-public school students.
Home-schooled students may enroll in individual courses at the local public school. Home school students must have a STARS ID to participate in public school classes, activities, or sports.
North Carolina's Career & College Promise (CCP) program allows homeschool students aged 16 and older to take community college courses for both high school and college credit. Eligibility requires demonstrating college readiness through placement tests.
Under NDCC 15.1-23-19, home-educated students may enroll in courses at the local public school. Access is permissive — schools may allow participation but are not required to. No statutory limit on the number of courses.
College Credit Plus (CCP) allows homeschool students to take college courses for both high school and college credit. Tuition and fees free at public colleges. Textbooks are NOT covered for homeschool families (families are responsible for textbook costs per Ohio DOE). Same eligibility requirements as public school students (placement tests, GPA equivalents). Available at Ohio public colleges/universities and participating private institutions.
Home-schooled students may enroll part-time in public school courses in some districts, though this is at the district's discretion.
ORS 339.035 allows home-educated students to access individual public school courses on a part-time basis.
Act 67 of 2005 (§13-1327.1(f.1)) allows home-educated students to participate in extracurricular activities at their local public school district. Act 55 of 2022 (§13-1327.1(f.2)) extends access to cocurricular activities and academic courses on a part-time basis. Students may take individual courses at the public school.
Homeschool students may be eligible for dual enrollment at state technical colleges and universities. Students generally must be at least 16 years old or in the equivalent of 11th grade.
SDCL 13-28-51 requires public school districts to permit part-time enrollment upon parent request. Additionally, homeschool students in grades 11-12 are eligible for the state-subsidized high school dual credit program at Board of Regents institutions (SDCL 13-28-37.1) at a reduced tuition rate, with a parent-signed MOU required.
Home school students may use public school facilities with the approval of the principal, but this does not confer a right to use public school facilities. Community college dual enrollment also available. Tennessee Dual Enrollment Grant may be available to eligible homeschool students (over $2M in grants since 2013).
Community college dual credit available. Eligibility varies by institution. TSI requirements may apply.
Utah law allows home-schooled students to enroll part-time in public school courses for dual enrollment purposes (Utah Code 53G-6-702). Dual-enrolled homeschool students are eligible to participate in any extracurricular or co-curricular activity at the public school, subject to the same rules as full-time students.
Vermont allows home study students to participate in public school courses, programs, or activities on a part-time basis.
Virginia law permits home-instructed students to enroll in public school courses on a part-time basis, including Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses, but access is not guaranteed -- school boards retain discretion. As of 2017, approximately 66 of 132 school divisions had formal policies addressing part-time enrollment for homeschoolers. This right may apply only to students under Section 22.1-254.1 (Options I-IV), not to those under the religious exemption.
Washington law requires ('shall permit') school districts to enroll part-time students and provide ancillary services under RCW 28A.150.350 — this is mandatory, not discretionary. The Running Start program (RCW 28A.600.310) explicitly includes students receiving home-based instruction under chapter 28A.200 RCW. Running Start is available to 11th and 12th graders (rising 11th graders eligible for summer).
Home-instructed students may attend any class offered by the county board, including career technical education (CTE) and Virtual School programs, upon county board approval (W.Va. Code §18-8-1(c)).
Wis. Stat. 118.53 requires school boards to allow HBPEP students to attend up to 2 courses per semester at their resident public school, provided the student qualifies for the course and space is available. A student may attend 1 course in each of 2 different districts. This is a mandatory right ('shall allow'), not discretionary.
Extracurricular Access
Many states allow homeschooled students to participate in public school extracurricular activities: sports, band, drama, clubs, and more. For children with special needs, these opportunities can be important for social development, building friendships, and staying connected to their community.
35 states currently provide some level of extracurricular access for homeschoolers:
Find Your State
Select your state for a detailed guide on homeschooling a child with an IEP, including withdrawal steps, service access, and who to call.
Resources
You’re not alone in this. Many families successfully homeschool children with special needs, and there are communities built around supporting them.
- SPED Homeschool : A nonprofit community offering resources, coaching, and support for families homeschooling children with special needs.
- COPAA : Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates. Find a special education attorney near you.
- Wrightslaw : Comprehensive special education law encyclopedia and advocacy resources.
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