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Homeschooling a Child with an IEP in Ohio

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

What happens to your child's services

If you home educate, district IEP services do not continue, but the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship can pay approved public or registered private providers to carry out your child's IEP (ORC 3310.51, 3310.52). Your district must still evaluate your child under federal Child Find, and a district-developed IEP is required for the scholarship.

Primary source: ORC 3310.51, 3310.52 (JPSN); OAC 3301-51-08; ORC 3321.042; 34 CFR 300.111

How to access services while homeschooling

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Child Find evaluation

Federal Child Find requires that all children with disabilities residing in the state, including home-educated children, are identified, located and evaluated (34 CFR 300.111). A district-developed IEP is also required for the Jon Peterson Scholarship (ORC 3310.51(F)(3)).

How to request: Request an evaluation in writing from the special education office of your school district of residence.

IDEA, 20 USC 1412(a)(3); 34 CFR 300.111; ORC 3310.51(F)(3)

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Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship

The scholarship pays all or part of the fees for approved public or registered private providers to carry out your child's IEP, in place of the district's special education program (ORC 3310.52(A)). Your child must be 3 to 21, identified by the district as a child with a disability, and have an IEP the district developed (ORC 3310.51(F)).

How to request: Get the district's evaluation and IEP first; a district-developed IEP is required (ORC 3310.51(F)(3)). Then choose an approved public or registered private provider (ORC 3310.52).

ORC 3310.51, 3310.52

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Equitable services (nonpublic school students)

Districts must provide equitable services and participation for eligible children attending a chartered or non-chartered nonpublic school located in the district (OAC 3301-51-08(A)). The rule covers those schools, not home education under ORC 3321.042.

OAC 3301-51-08; 34 CFR 300.130-144

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 Ohio?
If you home educate, district IEP services do not continue, but the Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship can pay approved public or registered private providers to carry out your child's IEP (ORC 3310.51, 3310.52). Your district must still evaluate your child under federal Child Find, and a district-developed IEP is required for the scholarship.
Can my child still get special education help from the school if we homeschool in Ohio?
Child Find evaluation: Federal Child Find requires that all children with disabilities residing in the state, including home-educated children, are identified, located and evaluated (34 CFR 300.111). A district-developed IEP is also required for the Jon Peterson Scholarship (ORC 3310.51(F)(3)). Jon Peterson Special Needs Scholarship: The scholarship pays all or part of the fees for approved public or registered private providers to carry out your child's IEP, in place of the district's special education program (ORC 3310.52(A)). Your child must be 3 to 21, identified by the district as a child with a disability, and have an IEP the district developed (ORC 3310.51(F)). Equitable services (nonpublic school students): Districts must provide equitable services and participation for eligible children attending a chartered or non-chartered nonpublic school located in the district (OAC 3301-51-08(A)). The rule covers those schools, not home education under ORC 3321.042.

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Requirements sourced from ORC 3321.042. Last reviewed October 2026