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Virginia Homeschool & IEP: Special Education Services for Homeschoolers
When your child transitions from public school IEP (Individualized Education Program) to homeschooling, the legal requirement changes from IEP to ISP (Individualized Services Plan). But many homeschooling families still wonder: what services can I access? What happens to my child’s IEP? Do I need to maintain special education? This guide explains Virginia’s approach to special education and homeschooling.
Key Takeaways
- IEP becomes ISP when you switch from public school to homeschool
- You’re NOT required to follow ISP requirements when homeschooling
- Virginia school divisions vary in services offered to homeschoolers
- Free evaluations are available if you suspect disability
- PEATC provides free advocacy training and support for special needs families
Understanding IEP vs ISP in Virginia
IEP (Individualized Education Program): A legal agreement created by a public school team. The school must provide services listed in the IEP. This is binding and enforceable.
ISP (Individualized Services Plan): When you withdraw from public school to homeschool, an IEP legally becomes an ISP. An ISP describes services the school division offers to homeschoolers, but the division is not required to provide them. You can accept or reject offered services.
Key difference: The school must provide IEP services; you choose whether to use ISP services.
What Happens to My Child’s IEP When We Homeschool?
When you file your Notice of Intent to homeschool, legally:
- Your child is no longer entitled to an IEP
- The IEP is converted to an ISP
- You receive notification of ISP availability
- You decide whether to use any offered services
You are not required to use any services described in the ISP. Many homeschooling families don’t. Your child homeschools under the same legal requirements as non-special-needs children: Notice of Intent, annual evidence of progress, curriculum description.
The advantage: you have complete control over curriculum, methods, pacing, and how accommodations are implemented—without school bureaucracy.
Accessing Special Education Services While Homeschooling
Virginia school divisions have significant discretion in offering services to homeschoolers. Some divisions offer services; others don’t.
Services that may be available:
– Psychological/educational evaluation (free)
– Speech-language pathology
– Occupational therapy
– Physical therapy
– Special education coaching or consultation
– Counseling services
Important limitations:
– Services are usually provided at the school building, not your home
– You must request them; divisions don’t proactively offer
– Availability varies dramatically by division
– Even if offered, services may be limited compared to IEP services
How to request services:
1. Contact your local school division’s Special Education Department
2. Request a list of services available to homeschoolers
3. Ask about access, location, and process
4. Request evaluation if you suspect disability but never formally tested
Free Evaluations from School Divisions
Virginia school divisions have a “child find” obligation: they must evaluate children suspected of disability at no cost, even if the child is homeschooled.
When to request evaluation:
– Your child shows signs of learning disability, autism, ADHD, or other disability
– You’ve never had formal evaluation
– Previous evaluation is old and you want updated assessment
– You need documentation for college accommodations
The process:
1. Request evaluation in writing to your school division superintendent or Special Education Department
2. Division must complete evaluation within reasonable timeframe (typically 30-45 days)
3. You receive results and ISP summary
4. You decide whether to use any offered services
Cost: Free. Virginia law requires free evaluation for suspected disability.
Limitations: Evaluation is one-time unless you request another. Division may not follow up or require progress updates. Services aren’t automatically provided—you must request and accept them.
Understanding Virginia’s “Child Find” Obligation
Every Virginia school division must identify children with disabilities, even if not attending public school. This is your child find right.
What this means:
– Divisions must evaluate children you refer
– They can’t refuse evaluation because your child is homeschooled
– Evaluation is free
– Results and ISP options are provided in writing
Your responsibility:
– Request evaluation in writing
– Provide permission for evaluation
– Participate in any required meetings
Child find timing: Child find applies ages 3-21 for Virginia. You can request evaluation at any age within this range.
Special Education Support Without Public School Services
Many homeschooling families with special needs children don’t use school division services. Instead, they:
Use private services:
– Private therapy (speech, OT, PT)
– Educational psychologists or tutors
– Private special education coaches
– Developmental pediatricians
Use curriculum designed for special needs:
– Orton-Gillingham approach for dyslexia
– Structured literacy programs
– Hands-on/multisensory programs
– ABA programs for autism
Adapt curriculum for homeschooling advantage:
– Flexible scheduling
– Individualized pacing (slower or faster as needed)
– Reduced workload or modified assignments
– Multisensory learning approaches
– One-on-one instruction
Join support groups:
– PEATC-sponsored support groups
– HEAV special needs homeschool groups
– Disease-specific groups (dyslexia, autism, ADHD)
– Online communities
PEATC: Your Free Special Education Advocate
PEATC (Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center) is Virginia’s federally-funded Parent Training and Information center. They provide free services to families of children with disabilities.
What PEATC offers:
– One-on-one coaching and advocacy training
– Workshops on education laws and IEP/ISP understanding
– Written guides and resources (free)
– Referral to other support services
– Help understanding your child’s rights
– Training on how to advocate effectively
Contact: PEATC.org or call to find your regional office.
Why this matters for homeschoolers: Even though you’re homeschooling, PEATC can help you understand your child’s disability, access available services, and advocate if the school division is unhelpful.
Building an ISP-Like Plan for Homeschooling
You’re not required to follow ISP requirements, but some families create a homemade version for their own reference.
What to track:
– Your child’s disability and how it affects learning
– Accommodations you’re making (frequent breaks, multisensory approach, extended time on assignments)
– Specific strategies for each subject
– Annual goals (academic and non-academic)
– How you’ll measure progress
Why do this:
– Provides structure for your homeschooling
– Documents your process (helpful if questions arise)
– Guides curriculum and accommodation choices
– Creates record for college applications
Tools:
– PEATC provides ISP templates and guides
– Some online special education planning tools
– Your own document created from PEATC resources
You can organize this however works for you—formal document, digital file, or written plan.
Testing and Evaluation for Progress
Virginia requires annual evidence of progress. For special needs homeschoolers:
Standardized testing: May be challenging for children with significant disabilities. Accommodations are typically available at testing sites (extended time, separate room, reader, etc.), but you must arrange in advance.
Evaluator letter: A teacher or person with master’s degree writes a letter confirming adequate educational progress. This is often easier for special needs children than testing.
Portfolio evidence: Work samples, completed assignments, projects, and documented learning. No specific format required—just evidence of learning over the year.
Recommendation: Many special needs families use evaluator letters rather than testing, which reduces testing-related stress.
College Accommodations and Special Needs Homeschoolers
If your child’s disability will require college accommodations:
- Document everything: Keep evaluation reports, accommodation descriptions, and evidence of disability
- Plan college testing: Register with SAT/ACT accommodations early (typically freshman year of high school)
- College disability offices: Contact colleges’ disability services offices to understand their documentation requirements
- Note in applications: Briefly mention disability and how you’ve supported learning (if you choose—this is optional)
Transition Planning for Special Needs Teens
If your child has an IEP in high school, Virginia also has transition planning requirements. If you homeschool, these don’t apply. But you should still plan:
- Post-secondary goals: What does your child do after high school? (College, vocational training, employment, day programs?)
- Skills development: Teach practical life skills alongside academics
- Work experience: Internships, volunteer work, or job exploration
- Connections: Link to adult services (vocational rehab, community resources)
Frequently Asked Questions
If I homeschool, does my child keep their IEP?
No. When you file your Notice of Intent to homeschool, the IEP ends and becomes an ISP. You’re not required to follow the ISP.
Can I refuse all special education services?
Yes. Virginia’s ISP describes services available, but you can decline all of them and homeschool under standard homeschool requirements. This is your right.
Do I need to spend ISP money to homeschool?
No. School divisions don’t allocate ISP money to homeschoolers. Services are offered if available, but no funding transfers to you.
What if the school division refuses to evaluate my child?
This violates child find. Contact PEATC for advocacy help. You can also request evaluation in writing, and if denied, file a due process complaint.
Can I access services from multiple divisions?
Generally no. You use the division where you live. If you’re moving, contact the new division about available services.
What if I want my child to use both homeschooling and school services?
Some families use hybrid models. Your child might receive speech therapy from the school while you homeschool. Services are at the school building; academics happen at home.