Independent Private Instruction (IPI)
Choice #1
Here are details about
Independent Private Instruction (IPI)
Independent Private Instruction (IPI) was added into the Iowa Code in 2013 as a new homeschooling option. Its definition, which was modified in 2026 through Homeschool Iowa advocacy efforts, is private instruction that:
- is not accredited,
- provides private or religious-based instruction as its primary purpose,
- provides students in all grade levels with instruction in mathematics, reading, language arts, science, and social studies, and
- can include students who are not related to the primary instructor, who is allowed to charge fees for the instruction of non-related students.
REQUIREMENTS
- No initial reporting required
- Response to Public School Request for Information
School officials may request specific details about the IPI program, but the request must be in written form. If you receive a written request for information, you can use our IPI Response Form, available in the IPI Tool Kit below, to reply.
PUBLIC SCHOOL ACCESS AVAILABILITY
- No access to dual enrollment
Public school services, activities, classes, or Senior Year Plus options accessed through dual enrollment are not available.
MORE INFORMATION - Access to concurrent enrollment courses
IPI students may access this one specific type of no-cost Senior Year Plus college course option, without dual enrollment
MORE INFORMATION - Access available for driver education
Parents using any homeschool option in Iowa may access public school driver education or parent-taught driver education.
MORE INFORMATION - Access to public school standardized testing.
Parents providing IPI may request public school standardized testing. (Contact us about private testing options, if interested.)
SCHOOL DAY ATTENDANCE AND SCHOOL SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS
- No number of instructional days specified by law
- Five school subject requirements
Reading, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies must be provided.
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
- Parents may homeschool students with special educational needs.
Under IPI, public school and/or AEA services are not available, so parents may provide for their children’s special needs privately.
MORE INFORMATION
TOOLKIT FOR
INDEPENDENT PRIVATE INSTRUCTION
IPI Tools
Independent Private Instruction Response Form
Purpose:
You can use this optional form if you receive a written request for information about your IPI program from either your resident school district superintendent or the director of the Department of Education. Because you're required by law to respond to the written request, Homeschool Iowa created this template form to simplify the process.
Purpose:
You can use this form if you're using the Independent Private Instruction (IPI) option and you file an IPI Response Form. This form notifies school district officials that you expect them to provide the privacy guaranteed to home educators when filing forms with the school district.
Purpose:
You can use this form if you are using the Independent Private Instruction (IPI) option and filing an IPI Response Form. Ask the school district official receiving your form to sign the receipt, and retain this receipt with your homeschool records.
Note: If you're a Homeschool Iowa member, you can access a fillable (type-in) versions of all 3 of these forms by logging into the Member Portal and then going to the IPI section on our Iowa Homeschool Forms website page.
General Resources
DE Private Instruction Handbook
Purpose:
This Department of Education publication is published to provide information for parents and school district officials on private instruction, including Competent Private Instruction (CPI) and Independent Private Instruction (IPI). (This is the newest version available, but it does contain some errors.)
The Homeschool Iowa Legal Summary
Purpose:
A brief summary, presented in clear and simple terms, of the legal requirements and options for home educators in Iowa.
The Homeschool IOWA Resource Guide
Purpose:
Homeschool Iowa members have access to this helpful two-page guide listing various curricula, materials, periodicals, catalog companies, and other resources for home educators. Website links are included. Not a member? Join now!
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