Homeschooling a Child with an IEP in Florida

This is general guidance based on Florida law. For your specific IEP, consult a special education advocate.

Having an IEP doesn't mean you can't homeschool in Florida. You absolutely can. Here's what you need to know about services, rights, and the withdrawal process.

What happens to your child's services

ESA / scholarship available

FES-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.

Florida's FES-UA scholarship is one of the most generous special needs programs in the country, providing $10,000-$34,000/year for private therapies and services. Your child's IEP ends when you withdraw, but FES-UA funds can cover speech therapy, OT, ABA, and other services. Apply through Step Up For Students.

When a child with an IEP is withdrawn for home education under 1002.41, the district is no longer obligated to provide FAPE. However, Florida's FES-UA scholarship provides substantial funding.

Federal protections

✓Child Find: Your district must evaluate your child for disabilities if you request it, even while homeschooling.
✓Proportionate share: The district must set aside a share of federal special education funding for children in private schools, including homeschools.

Primary source: FL Stat 1002.394 (FES-UA), FL Stat 1002.41 (Home Education)

How to access services while homeschooling

✓

Child Find evaluation

Districts must identify and evaluate children suspected of having disabilities.

How to request: Submit a written request to your local school district's exceptional student education (ESE) department.

IDEA — 20 USC 1412(a)(3); 34 CFR 300.111

✓

Equitable services (IDEA proportionate share)

Limited services available under IDEA proportionate share funding.

IDEA — 20 USC 1412(a)(10)(A); 34 CFR 300.130-144

Dual enrollment for services

Not available for special education specifically under home education.

Therapy access

Speech therapy:: Available through FES-UA funds from private providers
Occupational therapy:: Available through FES-UA funds from private providers
Behavioral therapy:: ABA therapy available through FES-UA funds

FES-UA provides ~$10,000/year average, up to $22,000-$34,000 for severe disabilities. PEP provides ~$8,000 for all K-12 students.

Where services are typically delivered: Location varies (school, home, or another setting depending on the service)

Before you withdraw: step by step

These are the steps we recommend before withdrawing from Florida public schools.

1
Apply for FES-UA through Step Up For Students (877-735-7837) or AAA Scholarship Foundation
2
Obtain current evaluations and IEP records from public school
3
File written notice of home education with district superintendent
4
Begin using FES-UA funds once approved

Important deadline: FES-UA applications open February 1. New applicant deadline November 15. File home ed notice within 30 days.

Starting mid-year? Apply for FES-UA BEFORE withdrawing if possible. Obtain a current evaluation before withdrawing — it's free while enrolled and needed for FES-UA documentation.

If you want to re-enroll

Homeschooling is not a one-way door. Your child can re-enroll in public school at any time.

In Florida: Federal IDEA applies — comparable services until new IEP developed. FES-UA terminates upon full-time public school enrollment.

New evaluation needed? It depends on how long you've been homeschooling and how recent the last evaluation is.

Cannot use FES-UA and be enrolled in public school simultaneously.

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

Know your rights

Some districts push back when families withdraw children with IEPs. Here's what Florida families have encountered and what the law actually says.

The district says: “You can't get FES-UA as a homeschool family”

The law says: FL Stat 1002.394(4)(b)4 explicitly permits FES-UA for home education.

What to do: Cite the statute. Apply through Step Up For Students. Escalate to FL DOE if denied.

Who to call

You don't have to navigate this alone. These organizations help families with special education questions.

Disability Rights Florida

1-800-342-0823 · disabilityrightsflorida.org

State disability rights organization

Family Network on Disabilities (FND)

(800) 825-5736 · fndusa.org

Parent training and information center

Step Up For Students (FES-UA)

877-735-7837 · stepupforstudents.org

State-specific resource

COPAA

copaa.org · Find a special education attorney near you

Wrightslaw

wrightslaw.com · Special education law encyclopedia

Education savings available

Florida offers 2 education savings programs. ESA or scholarship programs may help fund private therapies and educational services. Learn about ESA programs

Common questions

Can I homeschool a child with an IEP in Florida?

Yes. Parents in Florida have the right to withdraw their child from public school regardless of disability status. No IEP team can block your withdrawal. However, the IEP itself typically does not transfer to the home setting. Run our free wizard to see exactly what services are available in Florida.

What happens to my child's IEP when I start homeschooling in Florida?

In most cases, the IEP, which is a contract between your family and the school district, ends when you withdraw. However, federal Child Find obligations still apply, meaning the district must evaluate your child if requested. Some states offer additional protections. Use our wizard to see Florida's specific provisions.

Can my child still get therapy through the school if we homeschool in Florida?

It depends on Florida's laws. Under federal IDEA, districts must set aside proportionate share funding for children in private schools (including homeschools), but this doesn't guarantee specific services. Some states go further with mandatory part-time enrollment, ESA programs, or scholarship funding. Check our full guide for details.

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Requirements sourced from Fla. Stat. 1002.41. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026