In Washington state,
parents are the ones who determine
when, where, and how their children
between the ages of 8-18 are to be educated.
They can choose public school, private school or homeschooling.
Home-based education is legal in Washington.
parents are the ones who determine
when, where, and how their children
between the ages of 8-18 are to be educated.
They can choose public school, private school or homeschooling.
Home-based education is legal in Washington.
There are three main provisions concerning home schooling:
1. A parent must be instructing his or her own child(ren) only and be qualified to home school in one of these ways:
a. Have earned 45 college quarter credits or the equivalent in semester credits.
b. Have taken a course in home-based instruction through a post-secondary institution or technical institute (commonly called a parent qualifying course). (see The Homeschooling Seminar page)
c. Be supervised by a certificated teacher. Together they plan objectives, meet together at least an annual average of one hour per week, and evaluate the student's progress.
d. Be deemed sufficiently qualified to provide home-based instruction by the superintendent of the local school district in which the child resides.
2. File annually a signed Declaration of Intent to home school. It should be filed with the superintendent's office of the local resident school district. The Declaration of Intent is to inform the school that the parent is planning to provide home-based instruction. Forms are available at the Superintendent's office. In some districts it can be filed online. Fill out the form and turn it in by September 15, or within two weeks of the beginning of any quarter, semester, or trimester. Keep a copy for your own records.
3. Ensure that students are annually assessed.
In Washington, parents have the option of either having the student take a standardized achievement test or be given a non-test assessment of academic progress done by a person employed in education. The records are to be kept on file by the parent.
For a more detailed explanation and additional information, you can find Washington State's Laws Regulating Home-based Instruction here:
