So, you've decided to homeschool your student and at some point begin to realize there may be a need to have your child evaluated for Special Ed. So, now what are your resources?The first thing to know is that legal rights for homeschoolers vary from state to state, according to Darren Jones, an attorney with the Home School Legal Defense Association.

The first part of the special education process is straightforward: Every child, no matter what state he or she lives in, has the right to be evaluated for special education. But once the testing in completed, all consistency goes out the window. The level of services schools provide to homeschoolers varies from state to state, and sometimes from town to town. In 12 states homeschooling is considered the same as private schooling, and students have access to services at public schools, Jones says. But the other states have different rules. 

Follow up:

In Texas, homeschool students are treated as and considered private school students. As such, your homeschool student may still be serviced by your public school Specail Education Department. In part, you should know this

Proportionate Share | Based on a formula, the district must spend a "proportionate share" of its federal IDEA Part B funds serving private school students in whatever manner the district, after consultation with private school representatives, deems appropriate. Formulas exist for ages 3-21 and 3-5 based on an accounting of students in private schools (including home schools) and students in public schools.
* Write to your school district and ask which private school representatives (including home school representatives) are being consulted about expenditures and how they are selected.
* Request the numbers used in the district's formulas and an audit of expenditures.

You can find more information in the  document titled Public School Services for Home Schoolers with Disabilities.

Remember, Creative Tutors has programs to assist you with your homeschooling needs. Contact us today for more information