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Homeschooling a Child with an IEP in Mississippi

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

What happens to your child's services

Your child's IEP services end when you withdraw to home instruction, and Mississippi law gives home-instructed children no right to public school special education services. Federal child find still requires that your child be evaluated if a disability is suspected. Mississippi law does not clearly say whether a home instruction program counts as a private school for the limited federal services set aside for private school students.

Primary source: 7 Miss. Admin. Code Part 34 (State Board Policy 74.19); Miss. Code Ann. 37-13-91; 34 CFR 300.111

How to access services while homeschooling

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Child Find

Federal IDEA, adopted in Mississippi's special education policy, requires that all children with disabilities residing in the state be identified, located and evaluated, including home-instructed children.

34 CFR 300.111; State Board Policy 74.19 Section 300.111

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Dual enrollment

Not provided by state law. Mississippi's home instruction statute, its special education policy and MDE's home school guidance do not provide part-time public school enrollment for special education services.

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Equitable services

Unclear in state law. Mississippi's compulsory attendance law defines nonpublic school to include home instruction programs for that section, but lists home instruction separately from attending a legitimate nonpublic school, and the state special education policy does not say whether home instruction counts as a private school. Even for private school students, these services are limited and there is no individual right to them.

Before you withdraw

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    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

Education savings available

Mississippi offers Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Act (ESA). See eligibility and amounts

Common questions

What happens to my child's IEP when I start homeschooling in Mississippi?
Your child's IEP services end when you withdraw to home instruction, and Mississippi law gives home-instructed children no right to public school special education services. Federal child find still requires that your child be evaluated if a disability is suspected. Mississippi law does not clearly say whether a home instruction program counts as a private school for the limited federal services set aside for private school students.
Can my child still get special education help from the school if we homeschool in Mississippi?
Child Find: Federal IDEA, adopted in Mississippi's special education policy, requires that all children with disabilities residing in the state be identified, located and evaluated, including home-instructed children.

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Requirements sourced from Miss. Code Ann. 37-13-91(3)(c). Last reviewed October 2026