Homeschooling a Child with an IEP in Missouri
What happens to your child's special education services when you homeschool in Missouri, and how to reach the services that remain available.
What happens to your child's services
When you withdraw your child to homeschool in Missouri, the IEP ends. Missouri treats home schools and FPE schools as private schools for special education, so your district must still evaluate your child and can serve your child through an Individualized Service Plan paid from a set-aside share of federal funds. Your child has no individual right to any particular service.
Primary source: Missouri State Plan for Special Education, Regulation XIII; DESE Parentally Placed Private and Homeschooled Students FAQ; 34 CFR 300.111; 34 CFR 300.137
How to access services while homeschooling
Child Find
DESE says Missouri districts are responsible for evaluating and identifying homeschooled students with educational disabilities who live in the district.
How to request: Write to your local school district's special education office to request an evaluation.
DESE Parentally Placed Private and Homeschooled Students FAQ; 34 CFR 300.111
Equitable services
Missouri's special education regulation treats home schools and FPE schools as private schools. Districts set aside a proportionate share of special education funding to serve private, parochial and homeschooled students through Individualized Service Plans (ISP). There is no individual right to services.
How to request: Tell your district's special education office that you are homeschooling and want services. DESE says that if you are interested, a meeting should be held to develop an ISP.
Missouri State Plan for Special Education, Regulation XIII; 34 CFR 300.137
Dual enrollment
Not provided by state law. DESE says part-time enrollment in a home school classifies the child as a private or nonpublic school student, and the student is not entitled to individualized special education services.
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
Missouri does not require a notice to homeschool on the Home School Under Section 167.012 pathway.
- 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
Education savings available
Missouri offers Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program. See eligibility and amounts
Common questions
What happens to my child's IEP when I start homeschooling in Missouri?
Can my child still get special education help from the school if we homeschool in Missouri?
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Start the Missouri wizardRequirements sourced from Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.012; Mo. Rev. Stat. Section 167.031. Last reviewed October 2026