How to Homeschool in Iowa

  • In Iowa, homeschooling is known as "home schooling" or "private instruction".
  • Compulsory attendance is required for children ages 6 through 16. Note that children enrolled in preschool programs (4 years old on or before September 15) are considered to be of compulsory attendance age.

From the United States Department of Education

Home instruction satisfies compulsory attendance requirements as "private instruction," which may either be competent private instruction or independent private instruction. Iowa Code §299A.1(1).

When a parent or legal guardian provides private instruction to a child who is at least 7 years old without the assistance or supervision of a validly licensed Iowa practitioner, the child is subject to initial baseline testing and an annual evaluation. Standardized testing or portfolio assessment may be chosen. Dual-enrolled students may be tested as part of the public school testing program. Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-31.88. This assessment is required if the child will access any district programs. Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-31.2(4).

If the results of the evaluations indicate that the student has failed to make adequate progress, the parent or legal guardian must enroll the child in an accredited public or nonpublic school at the beginning of the next school year and shall continue attendance at an accredited public or nonpublic school until adequate progress is achieved. Iowa Code §299A.6.

Independent private instruction

"Independent private instruction" means unaccredited instruction that:
(1) does not enroll more than four unrelated students,
(2) does not charge tuition, fees, or other remuneration for instruction, and
(3) is not a nonpublic school.
It is exempt from all state statutes and administrative rules applicable to a school, a school board, or a school district, except as otherwise provided in Iowa Code §299 and Iowa Code §299A. Iowa Code §299A.1(2)(b).

There is no application requirement for "independent private instruction". A person providing independent private instruction must provide the following information if asked by the local superintendent or the director of the Iowa Department of Education:
(1) a report identifying the primary instructor,
(2) name and location of the authority responsible for the independent private instruction, and
(3) the names of the students enrolled. Iowa Code § 299A.1(2)(b)(6).

For "independent private instruction", the course of study must include instruction in mathematics, reading and language arts, science, and social studies. Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-31.1(2).

A child receiving "independent private instruction" has waived special education services. Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-31.10.

The public school district must make concurrent enrollment in community college programs. available to students receiving "independent private education". Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-31.11(2)(a).

A public school district must make any approved driver education course available to students receiving private instruction on an equal basis of enrolled students. Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-31.5(6) and r. 281-31.11(a)(1).

Competent private instruction

"Competent private instruction" consists of 148 instructional days a year, in which 37 instructional days occur each quarter, by or under the supervision of a licensed practitioner. Iowa Code §299A.1(2)(a).

A parent or legal guardian providing "competent private instruction" may file a report with the resident district by Sept. 1 or within 14 days of beginning home schooling if begun mid-school year.

The report must include:
the name and address of the parent or guardian; name and birth date of the child; number of days of instruction (minimum of 148);
name and address of the person providing the instruction and an indication of whether or not the instructor holds a valid Iowa practitioner license or teaching certificate appropriate to the age and grade level of the child;
an outline of the courses of study; the texts to be used; evidence of immunization; an indication of whether dual enrollment is being sought;
whether or not the child is currently identified as a child needing special education;
and an indication of which form of annual assessment is being administered. Iowa Admin. Code r..281–31.2((1).
This report must be filed if the parent or legal guardian wants to take advantage of school district programs (dual enrollment, homeschool assistance programs, etc.). Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-31.2(4).

The reporting of "competent private instruction", must include an outline of the courses of study, the subjects covered, lesson plans and time spent on each course of study. Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-31.2(1)(a)(5).

For "competent private instruction" provided by a licensed practitioner, the child's progress must be monitored by that licensed teacher. If a parent or legal guardian is providing the "competent private instruction," then he or she may submit an annual report, including the lesson plans, a portfolio of the student's work, and assessment evaluations to the school district and Iowa Department of Education by June 30. This information will be reviewed yearly by a qualified, licensed Iowa practitioner approved by the local school district to determine whether the child is achieving adequate progress. Iowa Code §299A.2-4(7).

Dual enrollment or a homeschool assistance program

A parent or legal guardian desiring dual enrollment must notify the district of residence not later than Sept. 15 of the school year for which it is sought. A child under dual enrollment may participate in academic or instructional programs or any extracurricular activities in the district on the same basis as any regularly enrolled student. Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-31.66.

A district may provide available instructional materials to students receiving "competent private instruction" on the same basis as provided to regularly enrolled students when a student is participating in dual enrollment or a homeschool assistance program. Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-31.5(4).

Special Education

When a child has been identified as requiring special education, the child is eligible to receive "competent private instruction" with the written approval of the director of special education of the area education agency of the child's district of residence. Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-31.1010.

Contact Information

Iowa Department of Education
Grimes State Office Building
400 East 14th St
Des Moines, IA 50319-0146
Phone: (515) 281-5294
Fax: (515) 242-5988
Website: https://www.educateiowa.gov/


Source: United States Department of Education - Iowa State Regulations

From the Iowa Department of Education

Families may choose to educate their children at home instead of sending them to a traditional public or nonpublic school. This is called home schooling. Families choose to home school for a variety of reasons. That is why the state of Iowa allows several educational options for home schooling:

Option 1: Independent Private Instruction (IPI)

Independent Private Instruction (IPI) means instruction that meets the following criteria:
a.Is not accredited,
b.Enrolls not more than four unrelated students,
c.Does not charge tuition, fees, or other remuneration for instruction,
d.Provides private or religious-based instruction as its primary purpose.
e.Provides enrolled students with instruction in mathematics, reading and language arts, science, and social studies,
f. Provides, upon written request from the superintendent of the school district in which the independent private instruction is provided, or from the director of the department of education, a report identifying the primary instructor, location, name of the authority responsible for the independent private instruction, and the name of the students enrolled.
g. Is not a nonpublic school and does not provide competent private instruction as defined in Iowa Code section 299A.1 and these rules.
h. Is exempt from all state statutes and administrative rules applicable to a school, a school board, or a school district, except as otherwise provided in Iowa Code chapters 299 and 299A.

To enroll a child in IPI for the first time there is no form required. A parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian choosing IPI is advised to inform the district that they will be choosing this option.

The superintendent of district of residence of the student enrolled in independent private instruction may, but is not required to, request a report from a parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian identifying the primary instructor, location, name of the authority responsible for the independent private instruction, and the name of the students enrolled. The district must still comply with requirements of truancy law. Unless otherwise mentioned, a district may not provide a child receiving IPI with public school services, such as most dual enrollment services.

A family who chooses IPI meets the requirements of the compulsory attendance law. Iowa Code section 299.1.

IPI instructors are responsible for accountability of their own students’ progress. This is not reported to the district or the Department of Education.

The district does not have a right to request whether an IPI family is teaching the four required content areas of mathematics, science, reading and language arts, and social studies.

The district may, but is not required to, request a report from a parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian identifying the primary instructor, location, name of the authority responsible for the independent private instruction, and the name of the students enrolled.

The Iowa Department of Education cannot issue diplomas, and the district of residence may not be compelled to issue a diploma.

A child who receives IPI is exempt from all state immunization requirementss except as otherwise provided in Iowa Code chapters 299 and 299A.

A child who receives IPI is exempt from the health screening requirements except as otherwise provided in Iowa Code chapters 299 and 299A.

No permission from the AEA director of special education is required and no special education services will be provided by either the school district or the AEA.

The public school district must make concurrent enrollment in community college programs. available to students receiving "independent private education". Iowa Admin. Code r. 281-31.11(2)(a).(According to the U.S. Department of Education...see below)

The Iowa Department of Education cannot issue diplomas, and the district of residence may not be compelled to issue a diploma. This is a local decision. Families desiring a district diploma for their children are urged to contact their resident high school administrators during their child’s 8th grade year to coordinate these credits.

Option 2: Private Instruction under the supervision of a licensed practitioner

Under Option 1, a parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian simply completes the report of Competent Private Instruction Iowa Form A and returns it to the resident district by September 1 or within 14 days of commencing CPI.(Form A is also available from district of residence)

If a child has been identified as requiring special education programs or services, prior written approval must be obtained from the special education director of the Area Education Agency (AEA) in which the child resides before the child may be home schooled or enrolled in a non-accredited nonpublic “school.” This consent is not required if the parent, guardian, legal, or actual custodian does not consent to initial evaluation or to reevaluation of the child for receipt of special education services or programs. Iowa Code sections 299.4, 299A.9; 281-IAC rules 31.5(1) (f), 31.10.

A parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian, choosing to provide CPI under Option 1, may find an Iowa licensed teacher to provide supervision and/or instruction by checking with the local district, which might have a home school assistance program (HSAP) or know of teachers willing to work with CPI students. The parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian may also contact www.homeschooliowa.org 1 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for assistance.

Those children who receive CPI under Option 1 must be monitored by a supervising teacher with a license that is appropriate for the age and grade of the child. The teacher is responsible to monitor the child’s progress. This includes students enrolled in a HSAP. Iowa Code section 299A.4; 281-IAC 31.8.

Option 3: Private Instruction by a non-licensed person

Under Option 2 a parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian may meet, but is not required to meet, all of the following requirements:
a. Complete the report of Competent Private Instruction Iowa Form A and return it to the resident district by September 1 or within 14 days of commencing CPI. (Iowa Code section 299.4)
b. Ensure that the child under the parent’s, guardian’s, or legal custodian’s instruction is evaluated annually to determine whether the child is making adequate progress, as defined in Iowa Code section 299A.6 and this chapter.
c. Ensure that the results of the child’s annual evaluation are reported to the school district of residence of the child and to the department of education by a date not later than June 30 of each year in which the child is under competent private instruction.

A parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian who chooses Option 2 with no reporting is utilizing the “private instruction exemption”, and by doing so relinquishes the ability to dual enroll for academics, extracurricular activities, or special education services. Dual enrollment requires compliance with the reporting requirements of Iowa Code section 299.4 and the assessment requirements of 299A.4. A parent who dual enrolls for academics, athletics, or special education services relinquishes the option to utilize the private instruction exemption, and must complete Iowa Form A.

A parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian who chooses Option 2 and chooses not to report to the district (i.e., uses the private instruction exemption) may wish to provide the district notice of the decision to use the private instruction exemption. Doing so will create a presumption that a child of compulsory attendance age is in compliance with the compulsory attendance requirements of Iowa Code chapter 299.

NOTE: If a child has been identified as requiring special education programs or services, prior written approval must be obtained from the special education director of the Area Education Agency (AEA) in which the child resides before the child may be home schooled or enrolled in a non-accredited nonpublic “school.” This consent is not required if the parent, guardian, legal, or actual custodian does not consent to initial evaluation or to reevaluation of the child for receipt of special education services or programs. Iowa Code sections 299.4, 299A.9; 281-IAC rules 31.5(f), 31.10.

Option 4: Dual Enrollment

A child who is dually enrolled, may access all academic courses and extracurricular activities offered at the district on the same basis as a regularly enrolled child. A child age 7 – 15, inclusive, who is dually enrolled is required to complete an annual assessment (via standardized test, portfolio evaluation, or report card from accredited correspondence school) to show that s/he is making adequate progress, unless the child is working with a licensed instructor.

Dual enrollment is enrollment with a public school district of a child who is receiving CPI for the purpose of attending one or more courses, participating in extracurricular activities offered by the district, or obtaining special education programs or services (if required by the child’s IEP). Iowa Code section 299A.8; 281-IAC

In addition, the district must provide appropriate instructional materials to dually enrolled students, if the parent, guardian, or legal or actual guardian so requests, on the same basis these materials are provided to regularly enrolled children (see question 31 for more information on materials). 281-IAC rule 31.5(4).

The reporting requirements, including Iowa Form A, apply to dually enrolled children receiving CPI under both Option 1 and Option 2.

A student receiving competent private instruction, who is 5 years of age by September 15 or who is under age 21 years and has not graduated from CPI, or the equivalent thereof, may be dually enrolled. Iowa Code section 257.6(1) (f). The parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian may apply for dual enrollment for a child who is not of compulsory attendance age by filing Iowa Form A with only Items #1, #2, and #9 completed. No teacher supervision or annual assessment reporting is required for the student who is not of compulsory attendance age.

A child under dual enrollment may participate in academic programs or extracurricular activities on the same basis as any regularly enrolled student. A child under dual enrollment is also eligible to receive AEA services on the same basis as a regularly enrolled child. The district must provide available instructional materials, if the parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian so requests, on the same basis these materials are provided to regularly enrolled children. Iowa Code section 299A.8; 281-IAC 31.6; 281-IAC 31.5(4).

Dual enrollment for “materials only” (without dual enrollment in a related course or activity) is permissible only if the district offers materials to regularly enrolled children without regard to course or activity enrollment. “Instructional materials” does not include teachers’ materials (teachers’ editions, test answer keys, etc.) for textbooks and other instructional materials currently in use by the district. It may include teachers’ materials for textbooks and other instructional materials no longer in active use by the district.

A child may dual enroll only in his or her district of residence. However, a student may open enroll to another district and then dual enroll in the receiving district. The parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian needs to follow the usual procedures of the open enrollment law – file the application with the resident district before March 1 of the preceding school year. See the Iowa Open Enrollment webpage for the Open Enrollment Handbook.281-IAC rules 17.10(2), 31.6.

A child receiving CPI under Option 1, or under Option 2 after completing Iowa Form A, may enroll in any Senior Year Plus program, including advanced placement courses offered by the district, post-secondary enrollment options under Iowa Code section 261E.7 (See questions #2 and #17), and concurrent enrollment in community college courses under Iowa Code section 261E.8. A child receiving IPI may only enroll in concurrent enrollment courses. No other Senior Year Plus option is available to IPI students. To enroll in concurrent enrollment courses, contact the district of residence.

A dually enrolled child may take post-secondary enrollment option (PSEO) courses, if the child is an 11th or 12th grader or is a 9 th or 10 th grader who is identified as Talented and Gifted by the resident district and meets all other eligibility requirements specified in rule 281-22.2. In re Meggan Stone, 19 D.o.E. App. Dec. 104; Iowa Code section 299A.8.

Declaratory Ruling #44, 5 D.o.E. App. Dec. 33, states that a parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian may not use dual enrollment to enroll a child in all courses but one. (e.g., a child could take 5 of 7 classes via dual enrollment). Also, the PSEO program provides that a student may not enroll on a full-time basis in a post-secondary institution under PSEO. 261E.7 (2).

To receive free standardized testing for a child, you must submit a timely request to your school district for free standardized testing for the student.

A district may charge a fee to a dually enrolled child if a fee also is charged for the same item or service to a regularly enrolled child. (e.g., if a district charges a school supplies or driver’s education fee under Iowa Code section 301.1 to regularly enrolled students, that same fee may be charged to a dually enrolled student who also participates in the course or activity).

Districts may not charge the dually enrolled student the same total fee that a regularly enrolled student is assessed, but districts may pro-rate the total fee that a regularly enrolled student is assessed in accordance to the class time usage of a dually enrolled child. Iowa Code section 299A.8. If a child who is dual enrolled is eligible for a full waiver or partial waiver under Iowa Administrative Code rule 281—18.3, the district shall waive, in whole or in part, any fee associated with dual enrollment.

To ensure a child’s participation in dual enrollment, the district must be notified by the parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian no later than September 15 of the current school year for which either or both types of enrollment are sought (a district may decide on its own to extend this deadline). If the parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian moves into the district after September 15 or withdraws the child from the district or from an accredited nonpublic school after September 15, the deadline is no later than 14 days after either event. 281-IAC 31.6

A Home Language Survey is required for dual enrolled students.

Option 5: Home School Assistance Programs (HSAP)

NOTE: Districts are not required to have a HSAP.

A child enrolled in a HSAP must also dual enroll to be able to participate in academic and extracurricular activities. A HSAP must provide a properly licensed instructor, so children enrolled in a HSAP are not required to be assessed annually (unless the district includes standardized testing or another form of annual assessment as a requirement for HSAP enrollment) Iowa Code section 299A.8; 281-IAC 31.5(5).

Because a district that has a HSAP is employing a licensed instructor to provide or supervise CPI, a child in a HSAP is not required to be assessed annually to determine whether the child is making adequate educational progress. Also, the district must provide appropriate instructional materials, if the parent, guardian, or legal or actual guardian so requests, on the same basis these materials are provided to regularly enrolled children. 281-IAC rules 31.5(4) and 31.5(5).

A child who receives CPI may be both dually enrolled and enrolled in a HSAP, may be enrolled in either one, or may choose not to be enrolled in either. If a district has a HSAP and the parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian wishes to have a child enrolled in that program, the child must be specifically enrolled for that purpose. Dual enrollment alone does not automatically allow the child to participate in the HSAP. Iowa Code section 299A.8.

Parents, guardian, or legal or actual custodian of children enrolled in a HSAP (whether under Option 1 or Option 2) must also fill out Iowa Form A for each student enrolled in the Program. At a minimum, questions 1, 3, and 5 must be filled out. However, per rule 31.4(5), a district may condition participation in its HSAP on having the entire Iowa Form A filled out. Iowa Code section 299.4(2); 281-IAC rules and 31.5(5).

A child may only enroll in a home school assistance program, if available, through his or her district of residence. However, a student may open enroll to another district and then enroll in the receiving district’s HSAP. 281-IAC rules 17.10(2), 31.7.

There is no parental cost for HSAP enrollment. The parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian should follow the usual procedures of the open enrollment law – file the application with the resident district before March 1 of the preceding school year. See the Iowa 2021-2022 Open Enrollment Handbook (PDF)

To ensure a child’s participation in an HSAP, the district must be notified by the parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian no later than September 15 of the current school year for which either or both types of enrollment are sought (a district may decide on its own to extend this deadline). If the parent, guardian, or legal or actual custodian moves into the district after September 15 or withdraws the child from the district or from an accredited nonpublic school after September 15, the deadline is no later than 14 days after either event. 281-IAC 31.6

A Home Language Survey is required for HSAP students.

Contact(s) for Iowa Department of Education Private Instruction
Buffy Campbell
515-954-8651
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Iowa Home Schooling Links


Source: Iowa Department of Education

Updated 29 December 2021

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