Students with IEPs

Support for students with diverse learning needs — guidance that honors each child's strengths and helps parents feel equipped and encouraged.

Schedule an Evaluation

Note: Pennsylvania requires the child to be present during the evaluation. However, they do not need to stay for the entire discussion.

Do You Evaluate Students with Special Needs?

Yes! Students with special needs make up a significant portion of homeschooled students. I hold a valid PA PK-12 special education certification — qualifying me to evaluate students with active IEPs at all grade levels.

I am looking for progress that is appropriate for your child — not grade-level performance. Every child's journey is unique, and my evaluations reflect that.

What the Law Says

If a child has an IEP through their school district, PA homeschool law requires the evaluation be conducted by a licensed clinical or school psychologist, or a PA-certified teacher with a valid special education certificate. I meet this requirement.

This legal requirement only applies if the student currently has an active IEP.

Keeping vs. Revoking the IEP

It is your right to decide. Neither choice affects your end-of-year evaluation. Here are the key considerations:

If You Keep the IEP

Child continues to receive school-provided services (speech, OT, etc.)
Annual objectives must be pre-approved before registering each year
I do this for free — send me your objectives, I'll return the approval form
You can use vague, generic objectives — they often change throughout the year

If You Revoke the IEP

Child is no longer an "exceptional student" under IDEA
District-provided therapies will no longer be available through the school
If you later re-enroll in public school, a full psychological re-evaluation is required
Private therapies through health insurance remain available

Tip: If your child is benefiting from school-provided therapies, schedule a first appointment with a private provider before revoking the IEP to prevent gaps in services.

Nonverbal Children

PA homeschool evaluations must include a student interview — but this does not require the child to speak. For nonverbal students, the interview can take the form of:

Observation of the student engaging with materials
Parent-facilitated interaction
Responses through gestures, body language, or AAC devices
Communication via tablets or communication boards
Parent-shared videos demonstrating how the child interacts and learns

Please let me know ahead of time if your child is nonverbal so we can discuss communication style before the evaluation.

Free IEP Objective Pre-Approvals

I don't think it should be harder or more expensive for families to homeschool children with special needs. IEP objective pre-approvals are always free — use the contact form to send me your objectives, and I'll return the approval form.

Send Your Objectives Schedule an Evaluation