Vermont Homeschool & IEP: Special Education Services for Homeschoolers

If your child has a disability or special needs, Vermont’s approach to homeschoolers is important to understand. Homeschoolers are not automatically entitled to special education (SPED) services, but you have options for evaluation and re-enrollment.

Key Takeaways

• Homeschoolers don’t automatically receive IEPs or SPED services through Vermont public schools
• Child Find applies: Schools must evaluate your child if you request it, even if homeschooled
• You provide your own accommodations (modifications, assistive technology, therapy, tutoring)
• Re-enrollment option: You can move back to public school mid-year to access SPED services
• Vermont Family Network and Disability Rights Vermont provide guidance and resources for special needs homeschoolers

What You Need to Know First

Homeschoolers vs. Public School Students

Public school students with disabilities are entitled to Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) at no cost. IEPs guarantee specialized instruction, related services (speech therapy, occupational therapy, counseling), assistive technology, and accommodations.

Homeschoolers don’t have this automatic entitlement. You design and fund accommodations independently.

Why this matters:
– If your child is homeschooled, you’re responsible for identifying disabilities and paying for evaluations
– If your child needs substantial support (speech therapy, specialized instruction, psychiatric services), the cost and coordination fall on you
– You don’t get a formal IEP unless you move back to public school

This Doesn’t Mean You Can’t Get Support

It means the burden is on you to seek and arrange it, not on the school to provide it automatically. Many homeschooling families successfully navigate special needs through:

• Private evaluations and tutoring
• Therapists (speech, occupational, behavioral)
• Online or hybrid programs designed for special needs
• Co-op support and community resources
• Re-enrolling in public school for services

Child Find: Your Key Mechanism

Vermont’s Child Find law requires schools to identify and evaluate children with suspected disabilities—even if homeschooled.

How Child Find Works for Homeschoolers

You initiate:
1. Contact your local school district
2. Request evaluation for a suspected disability (ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, autism, speech/language disorder, hearing/vision, emotional/behavioral, orthopedic, health impairment, or multiple disabilities)
3. Provide documentation (medical reports, observations, past assessments, whatever you have)

School’s obligation:
1. Evaluate at no cost (required under IDEA, the federal special education law)
2. Determine if your child qualifies for special education
3. Explain your options (see below)

Timeline:
– Assessment typically takes 30-90 days
– Results are shared in a meeting
– You receive formal assessment report

Why Use Child Find?

Pros:
– Free, comprehensive evaluation (privately it costs $1,500-$3,000+)
– Written, formal documentation useful for future planning
– Validates your observations
– Opens conversation about re-enrollment if needed

Cons:
– Requires working with school district (bureaucratic)
– If your child qualifies, they’ll press for re-enrollment
– You lose some autonomy over assessment approach
– Evaluation results are school’s property (though you get a copy)

Your Options After Child Find Evaluation

Option 1: Continue Homeschooling, Provide Your Own Accommodations

If your child qualifies for special education but you want to keep homeschooling, you can decline school-based services and manage independently.

You would:
– Hire tutors, therapists, coaches
– Use assistive technology and adapted materials
– Modify curriculum and pacing
– Arrange speech, OT, behavioral support privately
– Pay out of pocket

Advantages:
– Keep homeschool autonomy
– Design accommodations specifically for homeschool
– Pace flexibility
– No school district involvement

Disadvantages:
– Full financial cost on you
– Coordination falls to you
– Miss specialized instruction that schools provide
– May use disability-related education funds (see below)

Option 2: Re-Enroll in Public School

If your child qualifies for special education, you can re-enroll mid-year. The school creates an IEP, and you access all SPED services at no cost.

Advantages:
– Free specialized instruction
– Related services (speech, OT, counseling, etc.)
– Formal IEP with accountability
– Professional assessment and ongoing monitoring
– Peer interaction and school structure

Disadvantages:
– End homeschooling
– Rigid schedule
– Less customization
– Transition stress (new environment, peers, routines)
– May disagree with school’s approach to your child’s needs

Option 3: Hybrid Model (Emerging in Vermont)

Some families use hybrid arrangements:

• Homeschool core academics + public school SPED services (pull-out model where your child attends school for specific services)
• Public school part-time for socialization/services + homeschool part-time for core instruction
• Virtual public school (VTVLC) for academics + private therapy for support

This is less common but growing. Ask your district if it’s possible; some allow it, some don’t.

Homeschooling in vermont/vermont virtual school vs homeschool

Paying for Special Needs Support as a Homeschooler

Private Costs

If you continue homeschooling and pay for accommodations:

• Private evaluation: $1,500-$3,500 (comprehensive psycho-educational)
• Tutoring (specialized): $50-$100+ per hour
• Speech therapy: $50-$150+ per session
• Occupational therapy: $75-$150+ per session
• Assistive technology: $50-$2,000+ (software, devices)
• Behavior coaching/training: $50-$200+ per hour

Funding Options

1. Special Needs/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

If either parent has employer FSA, you can set aside up to $5,000/year pre-tax for dependent care and educational services for special needs children. Check your plan.

2. Coverdell Education Savings Account (ESA)

$2,000/year contribution limit. Can cover homeschool expenses and special needs services. Tax-free if used for qualified education expenses.

3. Vermont 529 Plan

Vermont’s education savings plan allows up to 10% state tax credit on contributions. Can fund homeschool expenses. Check if special needs services qualify.

4. ABLE Account (Achieving a Better Life Experience)

If your child was disabled before age 26, a tax-advantaged savings account for disability-related expenses. Limited to $16,000/year contributions but allows up to $100,000 in total savings.

5. Disability Insurance or Medical Insurance

If your child receives therapy (speech, OT, PT), medical insurance often covers it. Worth checking if your plan covers these services.

6. State Grants and Programs

• Vermont Department of Education: Sometimes offers grants for special needs support (rare, competitive)
• Vermont Department of Health: Resources for children with special health care needs
• Vermont Family Network: Connects families to resources, sometimes funding opportunities

Supporting Your Child Without a Formal IEP

Many homeschooling families manage special needs without public school IEPs by using structured support:

Best Practices for Homeschoolers Managing Special Needs

1. Professional evaluation first

Get a comprehensive assessment (privately or through Child Find). Know your child’s diagnosis, strengths, and needs specifically.

2. Adapted curriculum

Use curriculum designed for special needs learners:
– Multi-sensory approaches (Orton-Gillingham for dyslexia)
– Visual supports for autism spectrum
– Scaffolded math for dyscalculia
– Slow-paced, skill-building language arts

3. Break skills into steps

Don’t assume your child will transfer learning. Teach explicitly, practice extensively, build automaticity.

4. Consistency and repetition

Special needs learners need more practice, more time, more repetition than typical learners. Accept this.

5. Regular professional support

Even if not in school, periodic check-ins with therapists or tutors keep you calibrated. They see patterns, offer strategies, validate your approach.

6. Realistic expectations

Progress is slow sometimes. Celebrate small wins. Avoid comparison to grade level. Your child’s growth is the metric.

7. Accessible learning space

Minimize distractions, use visual supports, structure clearly, reduce cognitive load. Homeschooling in vermont/homeschool adhd vermont

Vermont Family Network and Disability Rights Vermont

These organizations are invaluable for special needs homeschoolers.

Vermont Family Network

What they do:
– Resources and referrals for children with special health care needs
– Peer support and family networks
– Information on rights and services
– Care coordination assistance

For homeschoolers:
– Help connecting to specialists
– Guidance on Child Find
– Information on disability services
– Advocacy support

Contact: Vermont Family Network website or through Vermont Department of Health

Disability Rights Vermont

What they do:
– Advocacy for people with disabilities
– Legal advice on education rights
– Complaint investigation and resolution
– Training and information

For homeschoolers:
– Guidance on special education rights
– Help if schools deny evaluation
– Understanding Child Find process
– Advocacy if disputes arise

Contact: Disability Rights Vermont website

Record Keeping for Special Needs Homeschoolers

Whether you use Child Find, re-enroll, or manage independently, keep thorough records:

• Evaluation reports (professional assessments, diagnosis letters)
• Curriculum used and adaptations made
• Work samples showing progress and challenges
• Therapy or tutoring records (dates, focus, progress notes)
• Medical records related to the disability
• Testing results (standardized tests, progress monitoring)
• Accommodation logs (what works, what doesn’t)
• Correspondence with schools or professionals

These records are crucial if:
– You re-enroll in school (transfers accommodations understanding)
– Your child transitions to college (they want documentation for services)
– You face disputes with school district
– Your child needs services in future

Making the Decision: Homeschool vs. Public School Services

Choose homeschool if:
– Your child’s needs are manageable with tutoring/therapy
– You prefer homeschool structure and pacing
– You have resources to pay for accommodations
– Your child thrives in home environment
– You want autonomy in educational approach

Choose public school (or hybrid) if:
– Your child needs intensive specialized instruction
– Cost of private support is prohibitive
– Your child needs peer interaction and school structure
– You need professional accountability and monitoring
– You’re overwhelmed managing special needs alone

Choose hybrid if:
– Available in your district
– Splits child’s time between homeschool academics and school services
– Balances autonomy with access to support

The Bottom Line

Vermont homeschoolers with children with disabilities have options, but the burden is on you to identify and pursue them. Child Find gives you free evaluation. Re-enrollment gives you free services. Independent homeschooling gives you autonomy but costs money.

There’s no single “right” answer. Your choice depends on your child’s needs, your resources, your capacity, and your family’s priorities.

Start with evaluation (whether through Child Find or private assessment). Once you understand your child’s actual needs, the next step becomes clear.

Vermont Family Network and Disability Rights Vermont are your allies. Reach out early. You’re not alone in navigating this.