Homeschooling a Child with an IEP in Washington

This is general guidance based on Washington law. For your specific IEP, consult a special education advocate.

Having an IEP doesn't mean you can't homeschool in Washington. You absolutely can. Here's what you need to know about services, rights, and the withdrawal process.

What happens to your child's services

Strong state protections

Districts required ('shall permit') to enroll part-time students and provide ancillary services (RCW 28A.150.350). Mandatory, not discretionary. Financial penalties for refusal.

Washington allows homeschooled children to access ancillary services from their local school district, including speech therapy, counseling, and psychological services (RCW 28A.150.350). If your child receives therapy through the district, a limited IEP covers only the therapy goals.

IEP ceases upon withdrawal. District retains Child Find obligations. No ESA or voucher system exists.

Federal protections

✓Child Find: Your district must evaluate your child for disabilities if you request it, even while homeschooling.
✓Proportionate share: The district must set aside a share of federal special education funding for children in private schools, including homeschools.

Primary source: RCW 28A.150.350, WAC 392-134

How to access services while homeschooling

✓

Dual enrollment

Homeschooled children can receive ancillary services through their local school district.

How to request: Contact your local school district to enroll part-time for ancillary services.

RCW 28A.150.350

✓

Child Find

District must locate and evaluate children suspected of having disabilities, including homeschooled children.

How to request: Contact your local school district's special education office to request an evaluation.

IDEA — 20 USC 1412(a)(3); 34 CFR 300.111

✓

Equitable services

Available through ancillary services provision covering counseling, psychological services, testing, remedial instruction, speech/hearing therapy, and health-care services.

How to request: Contact your local school district to inquire about ancillary services.

RCW 28A.150.350

Therapy access

Speech therapy:: Available as ancillary service through public school
Occupational therapy:: Available as ancillary service through public school
Behavioral therapy:: Limited; may be available as ancillary service

Ancillary services under RCW 28A.150.350 include counseling, psychological services, testing, remedial instruction, speech/hearing therapy, health-care services.

Where services are typically delivered: At the public school building

Before you withdraw: step by step

These are the steps we recommend before withdrawing from Washington public schools.

1
File signed Declaration of Intent with superintendent
2
Request copies of all IEP records and evaluations
3
Enroll part-time in public school for special education and ancillary services
4
Contact district about available services through part-time enrollment

Important deadline: Declaration of Intent by September 15 or within 2 weeks of beginning of any quarter/trimester/semester.

Starting mid-year? Consider enrolling part-time immediately upon withdrawal to maintain access to ancillary and special education services.

If you want to re-enroll

Homeschooling is not a one-way door. Your child can re-enroll in public school at any time.

In Washington: 25 school days to decide on evaluation; 35 school days to complete; 30 calendar days after eligibility to implement IEP

New evaluation needed? It depends on how long you've been homeschooling and how recent the last evaluation is.

No additional requirements for homeschooling children with special needs. Same Declaration applies to all students.

Keep copies of all IEP documents, evaluations, and progress reports. You'll need these if you re-enroll.

Know your rights

Some districts push back when families withdraw children with IEPs. Here's what Washington families have encountered and what the law actually says.

The district says: “We don't have to allow part-time enrollment for homeschoolers”

The law says: RCW 28A.150.350 says districts 'shall permit' — mandatory. Financial penalties for noncompliance.

What to do: Cite RCW 28A.150.350. File complaint with OSPI if refused.

Who to call

You don't have to navigate this alone. These organizations help families with special education questions.

Disability Rights Washington

800-562-2702 · disabilityrightswa.org

State disability rights organization

PAVE

800-572-7368 · wapave.org

Parent training and information center

COPAA

copaa.org · Find a special education attorney near you

Wrightslaw

wrightslaw.com · Special education law encyclopedia

Common questions

Can I homeschool a child with an IEP in Washington?

Yes. Parents in Washington have the right to withdraw their child from public school regardless of disability status. No IEP team can block your withdrawal. However, the IEP itself typically does not transfer to the home setting. Run our free wizard to see exactly what services are available in Washington.

What happens to my child's IEP when I start homeschooling in Washington?

In most cases, the IEP, which is a contract between your family and the school district, ends when you withdraw. However, federal Child Find obligations still apply, meaning the district must evaluate your child if requested. Some states offer additional protections. Use our wizard to see Washington's specific provisions.

Can my child still get therapy through the school if we homeschool in Washington?

It depends on Washington's laws. Under federal IDEA, districts must set aside proportionate share funding for children in private schools (including homeschools), but this doesn't guarantee specific services. Some states go further with mandatory part-time enrollment, ESA programs, or scholarship funding. Check our full guide for details.

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Requirements sourced from RCW 28A.200.010. Verified against primary legal sources. Last verified: March 2026