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Homeschooling a Child with an IEP in Maine

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

What happens to your child's services

After you start home instruction, your child no longer has an individual right to the full set of special education services a public school student gets (MUSER IV.4.H(3)). If your child enrolls in specific public school classes under 20-A MRSA §5021, you can request special education services in the public school, and the IEP Team will develop an individual service plan. Your school administrative unit must still identify, locate and evaluate, at public expense, resident children in home instruction programs (MUSER IV.4.H(2)).

Primary source: 20-A MRSA §5021(3); 05-071 CMR ch. 101 (MUSER) §IV.4.H; 34 CFR 300.111

How to access services while homeschooling

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Dual enrollment

With written approval from the superintendent, which may not be unreasonably withheld, a home instruction student may enroll in specific public school classes (20-A MRSA §5021(1)). A student enrolled this way may request special education services in a public school, and the IEP Team meets to develop an individual service plan (MUSER IV.4.H(3)).

20-A MRSA §5021(1), (3); 05-071 CMR ch. 101 (MUSER) §IV.4.H(3)

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Child Find

Your school administrative unit must identify, locate and evaluate, at public expense, all resident children in home instruction programs who may need special education (MUSER IV.4.H(2); 34 CFR 300.111).

05-071 CMR ch. 101 (MUSER) §IV.4.H(2); IDEA, 20 USC 1412(a)(3); 34 CFR 300.111

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Equitable services

Private school equitable services go to parentally placed private school children. Maine defines those as children in approved or Department-recognized private schools, which does not include home instruction (MUSER II.26).

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 Maine?
After you start home instruction, your child no longer has an individual right to the full set of special education services a public school student gets (MUSER IV.4.H(3)). If your child enrolls in specific public school classes under 20-A MRSA §5021, you can request special education services in the public school, and the IEP Team will develop an individual service plan. Your school administrative unit must still identify, locate and evaluate, at public expense, resident children in home instruction programs (MUSER IV.4.H(2)).
Can my child still get special education help from the school if we homeschool in Maine?
Dual enrollment: With written approval from the superintendent, which may not be unreasonably withheld, a home instruction student may enroll in specific public school classes (20-A MRSA §5021(1)). A student enrolled this way may request special education services in a public school, and the IEP Team meets to develop an individual service plan (MUSER IV.4.H(3)). Child Find: Your school administrative unit must identify, locate and evaluate, at public expense, all resident children in home instruction programs who may need special education (MUSER IV.4.H(2); 34 CFR 300.111).

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Requirements sourced from 20-A MRSA Section 5001-A. Last reviewed October 2026