CURRENT GRADE: F
Not only does the state not have any educational freedom laws in which tax dollars follow the student, there are also no scholarship programs for low income or disabled students. Furthermore, homeschool laws are very strict and require extreme oversight and approval by the district superintendent and a certified third party.
Homeschooling is restrictive—testing requirements, certification requirements of the parent. A lot of government oversight required. Homeschooled students may participate in public school sports.
Compulsory attendance is required from ages 8-18.
Education Options
Charter Schools publicly funded with public oversight with the same state and national standards as other Washington public schools.
Homeschooling Laws
Here are state laws on the topic of homeschooling:
RCW 28A.200.010: This law defines what is required to homeschool:
- File an annual signed declaration of intent to homeschool.
- Administer a standardized achievement test approved by the state board of education annually or a certification of academic process by a certified person currently working in the field of education.
- If, as a result of the annual test or assessment, it is determined that the child is not making reasonable progress consistent with his or her age or stage of development, the parent shall make a good faith effort to remedy any deficiency.
- Curriculum required: occupational education, science, mathematics, language, social studies, history, health, reading, writing, spelling, and the development of an appreciation of art and music, 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.
- Parents can only instruct their own child and must have a certified supervisor as defined under 410 RCW. The certified person must participate in the planning and objectives.
- A parent must have earned at least 45 college level credit hours or completed a course in home-based instruction at a postsecondary institution.
- Parent must be deemed qualified by the superintendent of the local school district.
Athletics: Home based students may participate in WIAA public school sports and must meet the same eligibility requirements as public school students.
Religious Exemptions
- There are no religious exemptions in Washington State law.
The First Amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” Many argue that a religious conviction to provide a home-based education is constitutionally protected and a state religious exemption law is not a requirement to be able to homeschool on religious grounds.
It should be noted that the U.S. Supreme Court in Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972) established that “Under the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment, a state law requiring that children attend school past eighth grade violates the parents’ constitutional right to direct the religious upbringing of their children.” (The case involved a challenge of a 16-year-old student to be exempt, so the scope was limited)
