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Homeschooling a Child with an IEP in New Jersey

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

What happens to your child's services

Your district must review a written request to evaluate your child, even though you educate at home. New Jersey does not treat home instruction as a nonpublic school, so your child is not entitled to special education services unless you enroll in the public school district; a district may choose to offer services under a plan, but it does not have to.

Primary source: NJDOE Homeschooling FAQ, Question 10; OAL Dkt. EDS 15299-15; 34 CFR 300.111

How to access services while homeschooling

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Child Find

When your district receives a written request for a special education evaluation, it must review the request in a meeting of the child study team, the parent and the regular education teacher. NJDOE says this applies to children educated at home.

How to request: Send a written request for a special education evaluation to your local school district.

NJDOE Homeschooling FAQ, Question 10; 34 CFR 300.111

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Dual enrollment

Not required by state law. NJDOE says the local board of education is not required by law to allow a child educated elsewhere than at school to participate in the regular school curriculum; participation is at the board's sole discretion.

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Equitable services

Not provided by state law. New Jersey's definition of nonpublic school does not include home schooling, so children educated at home do not share in the federal equitable services for nonpublic school students. NJDOE says a district may still choose to provide services under a plan, but it does not have to.

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

    New Jersey does not require a notice to homeschool on the Equivalent Instruction Elsewhere Than at School pathway.

  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 New Jersey?
Your district must review a written request to evaluate your child, even though you educate at home. New Jersey does not treat home instruction as a nonpublic school, so your child is not entitled to special education services unless you enroll in the public school district; a district may choose to offer services under a plan, but it does not have to.
Can my child still get special education help from the school if we homeschool in New Jersey?
Child Find: When your district receives a written request for a special education evaluation, it must review the request in a meeting of the child study team, the parent and the regular education teacher. NJDOE says this applies to children educated at home.

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Requirements sourced from N.J.S.A. 18A:38-25. Last reviewed October 2026