Homeschooling a Child with an IEP in Massachusetts
What happens to your child's special education services when you homeschool in Massachusetts, and how to reach the services that remain available.
What happens to your child's services
In Massachusetts, a home-schooled child who is eligible for special education keeps an individual right to an IEP and services from the district where you live, under state law. The services are delivered at a public school facility or another public or neutral site, and they must be comparable in quality, scope and opportunity for participation to those provided to public school students with disabilities.
Primary source: DESE Administrative Advisory SPED 2018-1; DESE Home Schooling guidance; 34 CFR 300.111
How to access services while homeschooling
Child Find
Districts must conduct child find for all students living or attending school in the district, including home-schooled students, and must evaluate students suspected of having a disability.
How to request: Write to your district's special education office to request an evaluation.
DESE Administrative Advisory SPED 2018-1; 34 CFR 300.111
Equitable services
Students educated at home under a district-approved plan are privately enrolled students in Massachusetts and count for federal proportionate share services. Proportionate share services plans do not confer an individual entitlement; your child's individual right comes from the state-law IEP entitlement.
DESE Administrative Advisory SPED 2018-1; 34 CFR 300.130-300.144
State-law IEP services
Under Massachusetts law, the district where you live must evaluate your child, write an IEP if your child is eligible, and provide the IEP services at a public school facility or another public or neutral site. The services must be comparable in quality, scope and opportunity for participation to those provided to public school students with disabilities.
How to request: Write to your district's special education office to request an evaluation or an IEP meeting.
DESE Administrative Advisory SPED 2018-1
Dual enrollment
Not required by state law. DESE says districts have the discretion to allow home-schooled students to join district-provided courses or programs, and this is a local decision. Special education services come through the state-law IEP entitlement instead.
Before you withdraw
- 1
Request complete copies of all IEP documents, evaluations, and progress reports before you withdraw.
- 2
Consider requesting an IEP meeting to discuss the transition. This is optional.
- 3
File your homeschool notice as your state requires. Our wizard prepares it for you.
- 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 Massachusetts?
Can my child still get special education help from the school if we homeschool in Massachusetts?
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Start the Massachusetts wizardRequirements sourced from M.G.L. c.76 Section 1 (Compulsory Attendance). Last reviewed October 2026