Homeschool benefits: Hertford County Schools
Hertford County Public Schools supports the IEP (Individualized Education Program) of a homeschooled child through its speech-language program, and evaluates Hertford County children referred for a suspected disability. You can refer your child from age 3, and the district decides on eligibility and starts any IEP within 90 days of a written referral.
Who qualifies
Lives in Hertford County
Parents, doctors, and childcare staff can refer a child who lives in Hertford County, even if the child does not attend Hertford County Public Schools.
Has or may have a disability
The referral is for a child you suspect has a disability. If the district accepts it, the IEP team evaluates your child in the 14 disability areas under IDEA (the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act).
Has an IEP for speech
The district supports IEPs for privately placed students, including homeschooled students, through its Speech-Language program.
What the district provides
These terms come from Hertford County Public Schools' page for private and nonpublic school placements.
- Who can refer
- Parents, doctors, childcare staff
- Youngest age for a referral
- 3
- Referral to IEP decision
- 90 days or less
- Service for homeschooled students
- Speech-language
- Full range of IEP services
- By enrolling in HCPS
The page does not say where or how often speech sessions happen for a homeschooled child, so ask the Exceptional Children office about the location and schedule.
From referral to services
- When you have a concern
Send a written referral
Contact the Exceptional Children department in Winton to refer your child, even though your child is homeschooled.
- After the referral
Evaluation
If the referral is accepted, the IEP team evaluates your child for the 14 areas of disability under IDEA.
- Within 90 days
Eligibility and IEP
The district decides on eligibility and, if your child qualifies, starts the IEP within 90 days of receiving your written referral.
- Once the IEP is in place
Choose the services
A homeschooled child can get speech-language support. To get every service in the IEP, you can enroll your child in Hertford County Public Schools.
What it includes
Included
- Referral and evaluation
- Speech-language support for an IEP
Homeschooled students get speech-language support; the district offers the full range of IEP services through enrollment in its schools.
Who to contact about services
The Exceptional Children office takes referrals and answers questions about evaluations and services for homeschooled students.
dtrotter@hertford.k12.nc.us 252-358-1761 Private and nonpublic placement page
Homeschool rules and statewide help in North Carolina
You must file the Notice of Intent with DNPE at least five business days before home instruction begins; wait for DNPE acknowledgment before withdrawing or starting. No annual renewal is required while operating; notify DNPE when the school closes.
North Carolina sets these rules:
- Subjects: Parents choose the curriculum. Operate on a regular schedule for at least nine calendar months each year, excluding reasonable holidays and vacations.
- Testing: Administer a nationally standardized achievement test each year covering English grammar, reading, spelling, and mathematics.
- Records: Keep attendance and immunization records. Retain annual test results for at least one year and make them available to DNPE on request.
- Teachers: The teaching parent needs a high school diploma or equivalent in North Carolina.
North Carolina also has an education savings account that home-educated students can use.
- Education Student Accounts (ESA+) pay $9,000 a year, or $17,000 for certain disabilities, to students with a documented disability, including homeschooled students. Funding can run out before the school year starts.
Read the North Carolina homeschooling guide See statewide programs in North Carolina
Questions parents ask
- Can my homeschooled child get speech therapy from Hertford County Public Schools?
- Yes. Hertford County Public Schools supports the IEPs of homeschooled, private school, and charter school students through its Speech-Language program.
- My child is not enrolled in the district. Can I still ask for an evaluation?
- Yes. The district accepts referrals for Hertford County children who do not attend its schools, and parents can make the referral themselves.
- Can we get services other than speech while homeschooling?
- Not while homeschooling, as far as the district says. It lists speech-language as the support for homeschooled students; for the full range of IEP services, your child can enroll in Hertford County Public Schools.
- Who do I call to start?
- Call the Exceptional Children office at 252-358-1761. Karen Branch is the interim director, at kbranch@hertford.k12.nc.us.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
Put eligible education funds toward a curriculum that teaches the courses and grades the work. Check the program’s purchasing rules before paying.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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