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Homeschooling a Child with an IEP in Arizona

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

What happens to your child's services

When you withdraw your child to homeschool in Arizona, the IEP ends. Arizona law counts homeschooled children among private school children for federal special education services, so your district must serve them in the same manner as private school children, without an individual right to specific services. Your district must still evaluate your child if a disability is suspected. If you choose an Empowerment Scholarship Account instead, you release the district from its obligations to educate your child, though the school your child last attended must still evaluate.

Primary source: A.R.S. 15-763(C), (D); A.R.S. 15-2402(B)(2); 34 CFR 300.111, 300.130-300.137

How to access services while homeschooling

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Child Find

Arizona must identify, locate and evaluate all children with disabilities living in the state who need special education, including homeschooled children. Signing an ESA agreement does not relieve the school your child last attended of its duty to evaluate.

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

34 CFR 300.111; A.R.S. 15-2402(B)(2)(a)

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Equitable services

Arizona law counts homeschooled pupils among private school pupils for federal special education services. A district or charter school that receives federal money for these services must serve homeschooled and private school pupils in the same manner. This is not an individual right to the services your child would receive in public school; the district decides which services to offer.

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

A.R.S. 15-763(C), (D); 34 CFR 300.130-300.137

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Dual enrollment

Not provided by Arizona law. Arizona law gives homeschooled students no right to enroll part time in public school for special education.

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

Common questions

What happens to my child's IEP when I start homeschooling in Arizona?
When you withdraw your child to homeschool in Arizona, the IEP ends. Arizona law counts homeschooled children among private school children for federal special education services, so your district must serve them in the same manner as private school children, without an individual right to specific services. Your district must still evaluate your child if a disability is suspected. If you choose an Empowerment Scholarship Account instead, you release the district from its obligations to educate your child, though the school your child last attended must still evaluate.
Can my child still get special education help from the school if we homeschool in Arizona?
Child Find: Arizona must identify, locate and evaluate all children with disabilities living in the state who need special education, including homeschooled children. Signing an ESA agreement does not relieve the school your child last attended of its duty to evaluate. Equitable services: Arizona law counts homeschooled pupils among private school pupils for federal special education services. A district or charter school that receives federal money for these services must serve homeschooled and private school pupils in the same manner. This is not an individual right to the services your child would receive in public school; the district decides which services to offer.

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Requirements sourced from A.R.S. Section 15-802(B)(2). Last reviewed October 2026