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Homeschooling a Child with an IEP in Minnesota

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

What happens to your child's services

Minnesota law counts a home school as a nonpublic school, and your resident district may not deny your eligible child special instruction and services on a shared time basis because your child is home schooled. The district must also provide necessary transportation within the district to the place where services are given.

Primary source: Minn. Stat. 125A.18; Minn. Stat. 123B.41, subd. 9; 34 CFR 300.111

How to access services while homeschooling

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Shared-time special education services

Under Minn. Stat. 125A.18, your resident district may not deny your eligible home-schooled child special instruction and services on a shared time basis. If your home school is within your district of residence, the district must provide necessary transportation between your home school and the facility where services are provided.

Minn. Stat. 125A.18; Minn. Stat. 123B.41, subd. 9

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Child Find

Federal IDEA requires that all children with disabilities residing in the state be identified, located and evaluated, including home-schooled children. A low score on the annual test also requires the parent to obtain an additional evaluation (Minn. Stat. 120A.22, subd. 11(c)).

34 CFR 300.111; Minn. Stat. 120A.22, subd. 11

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Equitable services

Minnesota law defines a home school as a nonpublic school, so your child is also counted among children in nonpublic schools for federal IDEA services. Federal equitable services carry no individual right; your child's individual right comes from the state shared-time law.

Minn. Stat. 123B.41, subd. 9; 34 CFR 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

    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 Minnesota?
Minnesota law counts a home school as a nonpublic school, and your resident district may not deny your eligible child special instruction and services on a shared time basis because your child is home schooled. The district must also provide necessary transportation within the district to the place where services are given.
Can my child still get special education help from the school if we homeschool in Minnesota?
Shared-time special education services: Under Minn. Stat. 125A.18, your resident district may not deny your eligible home-schooled child special instruction and services on a shared time basis. If your home school is within your district of residence, the district must provide necessary transportation between your home school and the facility where services are provided. Child Find: Federal IDEA requires that all children with disabilities residing in the state be identified, located and evaluated, including home-schooled children. A low score on the annual test also requires the parent to obtain an additional evaluation (Minn. Stat. 120A.22, subd. 11(c)). Equitable services: Minnesota law defines a home school as a nonpublic school, so your child is also counted among children in nonpublic schools for federal IDEA services. Federal equitable services carry no individual right; your child's individual right comes from the state shared-time law.

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Requirements sourced from Minn. Stat. 120A.22 (Compulsory Instruction); Minn. Stat. 120A.24 (Reporting and Assessment). Last reviewed October 2026