Students who are eligible for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) should contact their district of residence regarding any special education programs and/or services for which they may be entitled.  For more information about the rights of students with disabilities and special education service programs offered, please visit the St Joseph County ISD.

Auxiliary services are available to families who are homeschooling under the nonpublic school option. State law entitles nonpublic school students to access auxiliary services on an equal basis with public school students. These include health and nursing services and examinations, street crossing guard services, national defense education act testing services, teacher speech and language services, school social work services, school psychological services, teacher consultant services for students with a disability and other ancillary services for students with a disability, and remedial reading.

When you enroll your child in a NONPUBLIC school: Your child does not have a right to a FAPE and does not have an IEP in a nonpublic school. Some services (such as speech or physical therapy) may be provided through a nonpublic services plan but the services provided may be less than what your child would receive in a public school. The services are determined through a process between the public school district and the nonpublic schools, based on the required share of federal funding and the needs of the student. The services are provided by the public school district. Nonpublic schools are not bound by special education law.

Even when your child is in a nonpublic school, the public school district is responsible for your child’s evaluation for special education. If you request a special education evaluation, the public school district must get your consent and then begin the evaluation process. If your child is determined eligible and enrolls in a public school, he or she will receive a FAPE and an IEP. If your child stays in a nonpublic school, he or she might receive services through a nonpublic services plan.

When a child is enrolled in a nonpublic school by the parents, the public school district’s obligations are different than for children enrolled in public schools. Eligible students in public schools receive individualized special education programs and services through an IEP. Eligible students who attend nonpublic schools receive services through a nonpublic services plan.

A nonpublic school is not operated by a public school district. Nonpublic schools may be religion-based, private, or a home school. Eligible students in a nonpublic school may still receive some special education services.

It is recommended the parent first submit a completed Nonpublic School Membership Report to MDE if special education services will be requested. See the link below. 

Homeschool Registration Form