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Homeschooling a Child with an IEP in Arkansas

What happens to your child's special education services when you homeschool in Arkansas, and how to reach the services that remain available.

What happens to your child's services

Your child's IEP ends when you withdraw to home school. Your district must still evaluate your child if a disability is suspected, and Arkansas gives home school students the same consideration for special education services as private school students, though not an individual right to specific services. Your district must also let home school students who live in the district enroll in academic courses at a public school, and the Education Freedom Account program lists educational therapies among approved expenses.

Primary source: 6 CAR 33-106, 33-107; 34 CFR 300.111, 300.130-300.137

How to access services while homeschooling

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Dual enrollment

Your district must have a policy that lets home school students who live in the district enroll in academic courses at a public school. The policy may limit enrollment that would cause the district a financial loss or violate state or federal law. This rule gives course enrollment, not special education services beyond the private school consideration in 6 CAR 33-107.

How to request: Enroll in an academic course under your resident district's home school enrollment policy.

6 CAR 33-106

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Child Find

Arkansas must identify, locate and evaluate all children with disabilities living in the state who need special education, including home school students.

How to request: Request an evaluation from your resident school district.

34 CFR 300.111

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Equitable services

Home school students with disabilities identified under IDEA receive the same consideration for special education services as private school students. This is not an individual right to the services your child would receive in public school, and it confers no IDEA Part B procedural protections.

How to request: Request equitable services from your resident school district.

6 CAR 33-107; 34 CFR 300.130-300.137

Before you withdraw

  1. 1

    Request complete copies of all IEP documents, evaluations, and progress reports before you withdraw.

  2. 2

    Consider requesting an IEP meeting to discuss the transition. This is optional.

  3. 3

    File your homeschool notice as your state requires. Our wizard prepares it for you.

  4. 4

    Arrange any private therapies or services your child needs before withdrawal takes effect.

Keep copies of all IEP documents, evaluations, and progress reports. You'll need them if you re-enroll.

Special education help

COPAA

copaa.org · Find a special education attorney near you

Wrightslaw

wrightslaw.com · Special education law encyclopedia

Education savings available

Arkansas offers Arkansas LEARNS Act ESA. See eligibility and amounts

Common questions

What happens to my child's IEP when I start homeschooling in Arkansas?
Your child's IEP ends when you withdraw to home school. Your district must still evaluate your child if a disability is suspected, and Arkansas gives home school students the same consideration for special education services as private school students, though not an individual right to specific services. Your district must also let home school students who live in the district enroll in academic courses at a public school, and the Education Freedom Account program lists educational therapies among approved expenses.
Can my child still get special education help from the school if we homeschool in Arkansas?
Dual enrollment: Your district must have a policy that lets home school students who live in the district enroll in academic courses at a public school. The policy may limit enrollment that would cause the district a financial loss or violate state or federal law. This rule gives course enrollment, not special education services beyond the private school consideration in 6 CAR 33-107. Child Find: Arkansas must identify, locate and evaluate all children with disabilities living in the state who need special education, including home school students. Equitable services: Home school students with disabilities identified under IDEA receive the same consideration for special education services as private school students. This is not an individual right to the services your child would receive in public school, and it confers no IDEA Part B procedural protections.

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Requirements sourced from A.C.A. 6-15-501 through 6-15-507. Last reviewed October 2026