Washington Homeschool Requirements

Under RCW 28A.200.010(1)(a), each parent whose child is receiving home-based instruction must file annually a signed declaration of intent indicating: the name and age of the child; whether a certificated person will supervise the instruction; and the information in a format prescribed by the superintendent of public instruction. The deadline is September 15 of the school year or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester. The declaration is filed with the superintendent of the public school district where the parent resides (or a transfer district). Failure to comply is deemed truancy under RCW 28A.225.020.

Under RCW 28A.225.010(4), home-based instruction must include a curriculum and instruction in the basic skills of: occupational education, science, mathematics, language, social studies, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, and the development of an appreciation of art and music. Under RCW 28A.200.020, all decisions relating to philosophy or doctrine, selection of books, teaching materials, curriculum, methods, timing, and place of home-based instruction are the responsibility of the parent, except as specifically provided in chapter 28A.200 RCW.

Under RCW 28A.225.010(4), home-based instruction must be provided 'for a number of hours equivalent to the total annual program hours per grade level established for approved private schools under RCW 28A.195.010 and 28A.195.040.' Washington private schools operate a minimum of 180 days per year with specified hours by grade: 1,000 hours for grades 1-3 and 1,080 hours for grades 4-12. However, RCW 28A.225.010(5) explicitly recognizes that 'home-based instruction is less structured and more experiential than the instruction normally provided in a classroom setting' and directs that the hours provision be 'liberally construed.'

Under RCW 28A.200.010(1)(c), parents must ensure either: (1) a standardized achievement test approved by the state board of education is administered annually to the child by a qualified individual; or (2) an annual assessment of the student's academic progress is written by a certificated person currently working in the field of education. Home-based students are explicitly exempt from state learning goals, state learning standards, and high school assessments under RCW 28A.655.070. Test results or the written assessment become part of the child's permanent records. If the child is not making reasonable progress consistent with age or stage of development, the parent must make a good-faith effort to remedy any deficiency.

Under RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b), parents must ensure that test scores or annual academic progress assessments, immunization records, and any other records relating to instructional and educational activities provided are forwarded to any public or private school to which the child transfers. At the time of transfer to a public school, the district may require a standardized achievement test and has authority to determine appropriate grade and course level placement after consulting with parents and reviewing the child's records.

Under RCW 28A.225.010(4), home-based instruction qualifies if it is: (a) provided by a parent instructing only their own child and supervised by a certificated person (with a minimum average of one contact hour per week and monthly supervision, caseload not exceeding 30 students); (b) provided by a parent who has earned 45 college-level quarter credit hours (or semester equivalent) or has completed a course in home-based instruction at a postsecondary institution; or (c) provided by a parent deemed sufficiently qualified by the local school district superintendent.

Under RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b), immunization records must be maintained and forwarded to any public or private school at the time of transfer. Washington's school immunization requirements under RCW 28A.210.080 apply when a home-based student enrolls or re-enrolls in public school. During home-based instruction, families are not required to report immunization status to the district unless transferring. Medical and religious/philosophical exemptions are available under RCW 28A.210.090.

Under RCW 28A.200.010(1)(c), home-based students are exempt from state learning goals, state learning standards, and assessments under RCW 28A.655.070. Under IDEA's Child Find obligations, Washington school districts must identify and evaluate children with disabilities regardless of educational setting. Parents of home-based students with IEPs who withdraw from public school may request ancillary special education services on a part-time basis under RCW 28A.150.350, though districts have discretion. The state board cannot require home-based students to meet student learning goals.

Under RCW 28A.200.010(1)(a), the Declaration of Intent must be filed annually, establishing the home-based instruction relationship with the district. When a child transfers to a public school, under RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b), the district superintendent may require a standardized achievement test and has authority to determine appropriate grade and course level placement after consultation with parents and review of the child's records. There is no specific statutory waiting period before re-enrollment.

Under RCW 28A.225.010(1), all parents of any child 8 years of age and under 18 must cause the child to attend public school unless an exception applies. RCW 28A.225.010(1)(b) explicitly recognizes home-based instruction as an exception to the public school attendance requirement. Children are exempt from compulsory attendance at age 16 if lawfully employed and the parent agrees, if graduation requirements are already met, or if a certificate of educational competence has been earned.

Washington has no statute providing a state-issued diploma for home-based instruction students. Parents may issue parent-generated diplomas. Home-based students in grades 11-12 may access Running Start, Washington's dual enrollment program, allowing tuition-free community college enrollment. Under RCW 28A.150.350, home-based students may also access part-time enrollment in public school courses and ancillary services. Home-based students are exempt from state learning goals and graduation assessment requirements under RCW 28A.200.010(1)(c).

Under RCW 28A.150.350, home-based instruction students are defined as part-time students and may request enrollment in courses and ancillary services from the local school district. The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) has a separate eligibility pathway for home-based students to participate in interscholastic athletics, subject to WIAA's eligibility rules and district acceptance. Districts must make reasonable accommodations but have discretion in what they offer. Home-based students may also access Running Start community college dual enrollment under applicable statutes.