Skip to main content

Homeschooling a Child with an IEP in Hawaii

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

What happens to your child's services

In Hawaii, the special education and related services the law requires must be made available at your home public school to a home-schooled child who has been evaluated and certified as needing them and who requests them (HAR 8-12-14). If your child has not been evaluated, the Department of Education must evaluate children with disabilities residing in the state.

Primary source: HAR 8-12-14; HRS 302A-1132; 34 CFR 300.111

How to access services while homeschooling

✓

Services at the home public school

All educational and related services required by law must be made available at the home public school site to home-schooled children who have been evaluated and certified as needing them and who request them.

How to request: Request the services from your home public school, the school your child would otherwise attend.

HAR 8-12-14

✓

Child Find

All children with disabilities residing in the state, including home-schooled children, must be identified, located and evaluated.

How to request: Request an evaluation from your home public school.

34 CFR 300.111

✕

Equitable services

Not available to home-schooled children. Hawaii law defines a private school as a licensed or accredited educational institution, home schooling is a separate exception, and enrollment in a private school's home study program is not attendance at a private school. Home-schooled children receive services at the home public school instead (HAR 8-12-14).

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 Hawaii?
In Hawaii, the special education and related services the law requires must be made available at your home public school to a home-schooled child who has been evaluated and certified as needing them and who requests them (HAR 8-12-14). If your child has not been evaluated, the Department of Education must evaluate children with disabilities residing in the state.
Can my child still get special education help from the school if we homeschool in Hawaii?
Services at the home public school: All educational and related services required by law must be made available at the home public school site to home-schooled children who have been evaluated and certified as needing them and who request them. Child Find: All children with disabilities residing in the state, including home-schooled children, must be identified, located and evaluated.

Get your personalized compliance checklist

Our wizard generates a step-by-step plan for your family, including IEP-specific guidance for your chosen pathway.

Start the Hawaii wizard

Requirements sourced from HRS 302A-1132(a)(5) (Home Instruction). Last reviewed October 2026