Skip to main content

Homeschooling a Child with an IEP in Montana

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

What happens to your child's services

Montana treats home schools registered with the county superintendent as private schools for special education. The IEP ends when you withdraw, but your district must still evaluate your child and may serve your child from a set-aside share of federal funds, with no individual right to a particular service. Your child may also enroll part time in a public school under MCA 20-5-102(2)(e).

Primary source: OPI, Special Education in Montana; OPI, Fiscal Management: Proportionate Share; MCA 20-5-102(2)(e); 34 CFR 300.111; 34 CFR 300.137

How to access services while homeschooling

✓

Dual enrollment

A child enrolled in a home school may enroll part time in a public school. Montana law and OPI guidance do not say what special education services come with part-time enrollment.

How to request: Enroll your child part time through your local public school.

MCA 20-5-102(2)(e)

✓

Child Find

Each district must locate, identify and evaluate students with disabilities in private schools, and OPI says home school students are considered private school students for this purpose.

How to request: Write to your local school district to request an evaluation.

OPI, Special Education in Montana (ARM 10.16.3125); 34 CFR 300.111; 34 CFR 300.131

✓

Equitable services

OPI says home schools are considered private or nonpublic schools in Montana for IDEA. Your district may serve your child from its proportionate share of federal funds; there is no individual right to services.

OPI, Fiscal Management: Proportionate Share; 34 CFR 300.130-300.144

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 Montana?
Montana treats home schools registered with the county superintendent as private schools for special education. The IEP ends when you withdraw, but your district must still evaluate your child and may serve your child from a set-aside share of federal funds, with no individual right to a particular service. Your child may also enroll part time in a public school under MCA 20-5-102(2)(e).
Can my child still get special education help from the school if we homeschool in Montana?
Dual enrollment: A child enrolled in a home school may enroll part time in a public school. Montana law and OPI guidance do not say what special education services come with part-time enrollment. Child Find: Each district must locate, identify and evaluate students with disabilities in private schools, and OPI says home school students are considered private school students for this purpose. Equitable services: OPI says home schools are considered private or nonpublic schools in Montana for IDEA. Your district may serve your child from its proportionate share of federal funds; there is no individual right to services.

Get your personalized compliance checklist

Our wizard generates a step-by-step plan for your family, including IEP-specific guidance for your chosen pathway.

Start the Montana wizard

Requirements sourced from MCA 20-5-109 (Home Schools). Last reviewed October 2026