Homeschooling in Washington.

Regulation level

High: a yearly declaration plus a required yearly test or assessment. Results stay with your family and aren't sent to anyone.

Statute citation

Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 28A.200.010 and 28A.200.020; RCW 28A.225.010(1), (4) and (5); RCW 28A.195.010 for the hours standard.

Compulsory attendance age

From age 8 until the 18th birthday (RCW 28A.225.010).

Who you notify

The superintendent of the public school district where you live, or a nonresident district that agrees to accept your child as a transfer.

How and when

Every year, by September 15, or within two weeks of the start of any public school quarter, trimester or semester.

What you file

A signed declaration of intent with your child's name and age, and whether a certificated teacher will supervise. Many districts use the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) sample form.

Parent qualification

Meet one: a Washington-certificated teacher supervises; you have 45 college quarter credits (or the semester equivalent) or took a home-based instruction course; or your district superintendent deems you sufficiently qualified.

Required subjects

Occupational education, science, mathematics, language, social studies, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, and appreciation of art and music (RCW 28A.225.010(4)).

Instruction hours

An average of 1,000 hours a year for grades 1 to 12. The law says this is to be read flexibly, since learning at home is more experiential.

Yearly assessment

Each year, a State Board of Education approved standardized test given by a qualified person, or a written progress assessment by a certificated teacher currently working in education. You choose and arrange it.

What you submit

Only the declaration. Test or assessment results are not sent to the district.

Records to keep

Each year's results in your child's permanent records, plus immunization records. Both go to any school your child later transfers to.

If progress lags

If results show your child isn't making reasonable progress for their age or stage, the law asks you to make a good-faith effort to address it.

Your choices

You decide curriculum, books, methods, timing and place (RCW 28A.200.020). Home-based students don't have to meet state learning standards or take state tests.