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Homeschooling a Child with an IEP in Illinois

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

What happens to your child's services

When you withdraw your child to homeschool in Illinois, the IEP ends. Your child can still attend public school part time (at least one instructional subject) and receive IEP services for that time, may receive limited services from the district's federal private school share, and can be evaluated through Child Find.

Primary source: 105 ILCS 5/14-6.01 (as applied in ISBE's Illinois Homeschooling guidance); 34 CFR 300.111, 300.130, 300.137

How to access services while homeschooling

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Dual enrollment for services

The School Code permits private school students, including homeschooled students, who are eligible for special education to attend public school part time in their district of residence and receive services through an IEP. ISBE says the student must attend for at least one instructional subject to qualify for an IEP, and IEP services are provided to the extent the student actually attends. Services may not be to the same extent as for a full-time public school student.

How to request: Request part-time attendance from the public school district where your child lives.

105 ILCS 5/14-6.01; ISBE Illinois Homeschooling guidance

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Child Find evaluation

Federal Child Find rules require that all children with disabilities residing in the State, including children attending private schools, be identified, located and evaluated. Illinois treats homeschooling as private education.

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

34 CFR 300.111

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Equitable services (IDEA proportionate share)

ISBE says homeschooled students may receive limited services from the local public school. Districts are only required to spend a portion of their federal special education funds (the proportionate share) on private school and homeschool students, and a district can end services for the rest of the school year when those funds run out. Services are usually described in an Individual Services Plan (ISP), not an IEP.

How to request: The district where you live describes the services it will provide to private school and homeschool students.

ISBE Illinois Homeschooling guidance; 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

    Illinois does not require a notice to homeschool on the Home-Based Private School pathway.

  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 Illinois?
When you withdraw your child to homeschool in Illinois, the IEP ends. Your child can still attend public school part time (at least one instructional subject) and receive IEP services for that time, may receive limited services from the district's federal private school share, and can be evaluated through Child Find.
Can my child still get special education help from the school if we homeschool in Illinois?
Dual enrollment for services: The School Code permits private school students, including homeschooled students, who are eligible for special education to attend public school part time in their district of residence and receive services through an IEP. ISBE says the student must attend for at least one instructional subject to qualify for an IEP, and IEP services are provided to the extent the student actually attends. Services may not be to the same extent as for a full-time public school student. Child Find evaluation: Federal Child Find rules require that all children with disabilities residing in the State, including children attending private schools, be identified, located and evaluated. Illinois treats homeschooling as private education. Equitable services (IDEA proportionate share): ISBE says homeschooled students may receive limited services from the local public school. Districts are only required to spend a portion of their federal special education funds (the proportionate share) on private school and homeschool students, and a district can end services for the rest of the school year when those funds run out. Services are usually described in an Individual Services Plan (ISP), not an IEP.

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Requirements sourced from 105 ILCS 5/26-1. Last reviewed October 2026