Heartland AEA Guidance
Private Instruction Requests
for Special Education Entitled Individuals
In 2013, legislation was passed and signed by the governor that significantly changed the homeschooling
options in Iowa. These changes are indicated in the 2013-14 Private Instruction Handbook. However,
these changes are not reflected in the current Statewide Procedural Manual, July 15, 2013. This guidance
is intended to support AEA and LEA staff in meeting the new requirements and to assist with ensuring
the appropriate paperwork is completed for students who are entitled to Special Education services.
Options for Iowa Homeschooling Families
Competent Private
Instruction
(CPI #1)
Competent Private Instruction
(CPI #2)
Opt-In Reporting
Opt-Out Reporting
Independent Private
Instruction
(IPI)
Exempt from all state
1) Allows for private
instruction of children
under the supervision of a
licensed practitioner
1) Allows for
private
instruction of
children
2) Requires parents complete
Form A and course of study
1) Allows for
private
instruction of
children
2) Requires parents
complete Form A
and course of
3) Requires annual assessment
study
2) Form A is not
required but is
optional for
parents
4) Requires AEA Special
Education Director
Approval
3) Annual
assessments are
required
5) Allows for dual enrollment
4) Allows for dual
enrollment
3) Annual
Assessments are
not required but
are optional
6) Allows for Home School
Assistance Programs
(HSAP)
5) Allows for Home
School
Assistance
Programs
(HSAP)
4) Dual enrollment
is not permitted
5) Home School
Assistance
Programs
(HSAP) are not
permitted
statues/rules except as
otherwise provided in chapter
299 and 299A. Iowa Code 299A.
1(2)(b)
1) Is not accredited, not
more than four
unrelated students, no
tuition, fees or other
remuneration, private
or religious-based
instruction as its
primary purpose,
teaches mathematics,
reading and language
arts, science and social
studies, provides
report on request, not
nonpublic school or
CPI
2) Form A does not apply
3) Annual Assessments
are not required
4) Dual enrollment is not
permitted
5) HSAP is not permitted
Revised 09/19/13
How to determine if parents have chosen a homeschooling option
When you believe a student is in the district but has not attended school in the 2013-14 year:
1. Talk with appropriate district staff to determine if parents have indicated they are
participating in a homeschooling option. This may include the special education teacher,
general education teachers, administrative staff, administrative support staff or others
assigned to this role.
2. Check to see if the parent has filed CPI Form A with the district office.
3. If Form A has been provided to the district, follow the instructions listed for CPI#1. You will
see that the paperwork process for CPI #1 and CPI#2 Opt-In are the same.
4. If Form A has not been provided to the district office, provide the student name and concern to
the appropriate LEA staff (Special Education Director, Superintendent, others assigned) for
LEA further investigation.
5. Prior to child-count and when a student has not been attendance for an extended period, the
LEA should determine if a child is to be removed from a roster. Using all available information,
the team along with the administrative staff will need to determine which best describes the
current status of the student. The school may determine:




The child is instructed under CPI #2 Opt-Out (CPN exit code).
The child is being instructed through Independent Private Instruction (PRC exit code).
The student is not attending due to Drop Out (DRO exit code) if appropriate for the
student’s age.
The student is not attending and should follow truancy laws. Student will be removed
from the roster (Unknown-UNK). Note: This code is not a preferred code and should
only be used if the LEA is unable to locate a child.
Revised 09/19/13
Competent Private Instruction
(CPI #1)
Expectations when parent requests CPI #1
Parent is required to complete Form A (from Private Instruction Handbook) and provide the course of
study (parent may need assistance in completing a course of study – work with your districts to make
aware that a course of study is required). The parent submits paperwork to LEA district office. Note:
Parents will complete CPI Form A at the beginning of each school year. The CPI worksheet is NOT
completed annually unless parent chooses to change options.
1. Upon notification, AEA staff obtains Form A and course of study from the LEA.
2. IEP team offers parent opportunity to meet – complete meeting notice (parent may decline, but
best practice is to hold a meeting to discuss options and remind them of the HSAP available in
some districts).
When parent requests continued special ed. services (CPI Worksheet Options 1-3 for dual
enrollment):
3. An IEP for CPI is developed at a review/amendment meeting or through an amendment
without a meeting.
4. Complete a PWN documenting any IEP changes (pending approval).
5. AEA staff submits required paperwork to Regional Director AND uploads to associated files.

CPI Form A with course of study

CPI worksheet

PWN
6. Submit IEP within 5 (school) days – provide copies to parent and student school file.
OR When parent declines special ed. services (CPI Worksheet Options 4-5):
3. Complete a PWN documenting action. PWN should indicate the student the student retains
eligibility for special education in the event the child returns to school or parent requests
special education services through dual enrollment.
4. Complete Final Exit Paperwork with exit code: CPN
5. AEA staff submits required paperwork to regional director AND uploads to associated files.

CPI Form A with course of study

CPI worksheet

PWN
6. Submit IEP within 5 (school) days – provide copies to parent and student school file.
Revised 09/19/13
Regional director will sign and submit paperwork for AEA Director of Special Education approval.
Competent Private Instruction
(CPI #2)
Opt-In Reporting
Expectations when parent requests CPI #2 Opt-In Reporting
Parent is required to complete Form A (from Private Instruction Handbook) and course of study (parent
may need assistance in completing a course of study – work with your districts to make aware that a
course of study is required). The parent is required to submit paperwork to LEA district office.
1. Upon notification, AEA staff obtains Form A and course of study from the LEA.
2. IEP team offers parent opportunity to meet – complete meeting notice (parent may decline, but
best practice is to hold a meeting to discuss options and remind them of the HSAP available in
some districts).
When parent requests continued special ed. services (CPI Worksheet Options 1-3 for dual
enrollment):
3. An IEP for CPI is developed at a review/amendment meeting or through an amendment
without a meeting.
4. Complete a PWN documenting any IEP changes (pending approval).
5. AEA staff submits required paperwork to Regional Director AND uploads to associated files.

CPI Form A with course of study

CPI worksheet

PWN
6. Submit IEP within 5 (school) days – provide copies to parent and student school file.
OR When parent declines special ed. services (CPI Worksheet Options 4-5):
3. Complete a PWN documenting action. PWN should indicate the student the student retains
eligibility for Special Education in the event the child returns to school or parent requests
special education services through dual enrollment.
4. Complete Final Exit paperwork with exit code: CPN
5. AEA staff submits required paperwork to regional director AND uploads to associated files.

CPI Form A with course of study

CPI worksheet

PWN
6. Submit IEP within 5 (school) days – provide copies to parent and student school file.
Revised 09/19/13
Regional director will sign and submit paperwork for AEA Director of Special Education approval.
Competent Private Instruction
(CPI #2)
Opt-Out Reporting
Expectations when parent requests CPI #2 Opt-Out Reporting (aka. Private Instruction
Exemption):
Parent may but is not required to complete Form A (from Private Instruction Handbook) and course of
study (parent may need assistance in completing a course of study – work with your districts to make
aware that a course of study is required). The parent may but is not required to submit paperwork to
LEA district office.
1. Upon notification, AEA staff obtains Form A and course of study from the LEA if provided by
the parents.
2. IEP team offers parent opportunity to meet – complete meeting notice. Parents may decline. It
is not recommended that the team to make additional contacts to the parent.
3. Parents choosing the Private Instruction Exemption (meaning they are opting out of
reporting requirements) forfeit the options for dual enrollment.
4. Complete a PWN documenting action. PWN should indicate the student the student retains
eligibility for Special Education in the event the child returns to school.
5. Complete Final Exit with exit code: CPN
6. AEA staff submits required paperwork to regional director AND uploads to associated files.
 CPI Form A with course of study (if provided to the LEA by parents)

PWN
7. Submit IEP within 5 (school) days – provide copies to parent and student school file.
Regional director will sign and submit paperwork for AEA Director of Special Education approval.
Revised 09/19/13
Independent Private Instruction
(IPI)
Parent is advised, but is not required, to inform the district they are choosing this option.
Expectations when AEA staff have been made aware the parent has chosen IPI
Upon notification, AEA staff will:
1. Complete a PWN including notification this option is considered revocation of services and the
student will no longer be eligible for special education services. Parents are to receive written
notification (PWN) prior to changes occurring.
2. After parents have received written notification of (PWN) Complete Final Exit with exit code: PRC
Revised 09/19/13