WA ·
11
No specific number of days or hours is mandated for home-based instruction.
Washington authorizes home-based instruction under RCW 28A.200.010 and 28A.225.010. Compulsory attendance applies to children age 8 through 17 (under 18). A parent files an annual Declaration of Intent by Sept 15, must be 'qualified' (certificated supervision, 45 college credits, a parent-qualifying course, or superintendent approval), and must provide instruction in 11 required subjects. Each child of compulsory age (8+) must be assessed annually either by a state-board-approved nationally normed standardized achievement test administered by a qualified individual, or by a written assessment of academic progress prepared by a certificated person currently working in education. Results are kept in the child's permanent records (not reported to the state). Home-schooled students are statutorily exempt from the state learning standards/goals and the state assessments (Smarter Balanced/WCAS).
Parent must file an annual signed Declaration of Intent to provide home-based instruction with the local public school district superintendent (or a nonresident district that accepts the student) by September 15, or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter/trimester/semester. The declaration must state the name and age of each child and specify whether a certificated person will supervise the instruction; it uses a format prescribed by OSPI (RCW 28A.200.010 / 28A.225.010). To qualify to home-school, a parent must either (a) be supervised by a WA-certificated person meeting weekly, (b) have completed 45 college quarter credits or a qualifying parent-education course, or (c) be deemed sufficiently qualified by the district superintendent (RCW 28A.225.010).
Parent must keep, as part of the child's permanent records, the annual standardized test scores OR the written annual academic progress assessment, plus immunization records and any other instructional/educational records. These records are forwarded to the new school upon transfer. There is no requirement to submit assessment results to the state or district unless transferring.
- reading
- writing
- spelling
- language
- mathematics
- science
- social studies
- history
- health
- occupational education
- appreciation of art and music
· Washington State K-12 Social Studies Learning Standards (EALRs and Grade Level Expectations), adopted September 2019 · 130
| K | C1.K.1 | Recognize a key ideal of justice and fairness within rules. |
| K | C2.K.1 | Explain the purpose of rules in the classroom. |
| K | C3.K.1 | Identify names and locations of tribal nations. |
| K | C4.K.1 | Be a contributing member of the classroom and school. |
| K | E1.K.1 | Explain the difference between a need and a want. |
| K | E2.K.1 | Identify consumers and producers. |
| K | E3.K.1 | Identify public and private providers of goods and services. |
| K | E4.K.1 | Describe goods that are produced in local geographic areas. |
| K | G1.K.1 | Recognize one's classroom and school as distinct places. |
| K | G2.K.1 | Explain how weather, climate, and environment affect daily life. |
| K | G3.K.1 | Describe how things we use come from different places. |
| K | H1.K.1 | Demonstrate that a timeline represents a chronological order. |
| K | H2.K.1 | Describe the factors that influence an individual's choices. |
| K | H3.K.1 | Demonstrate the importance of listening to other perspectives. |
| K | SSS1.K.1 | State and clarify one's point of view. |
| K | SSS1.K.4 | Retell a sequence of events that have happened. |
| K | SSS2.K.1 | Demonstrate how to ask questions about the world. |
| K | SSS3.K.1 | Share own viewpoints and give respectful responses. |
| K | SSS4.K.1 | Use a graphic organizer to explain an idea. |
| 1 | C1.1.1 | Recognize the key ideal of public or common good. |
| 1 | E2.1.2 | Give examples of how people earn income. |
| 1 | G1.1.2 | Identify large continental land masses on a map or globe. |
| 1 | G2.1.1 | Explain the way family life is shaped by the environment. |
| 1 | H1.1.1 | Create a family timeline to show events in a sequence. |
| 1 | SSS1.1.1 | Distinguish different points of view on one event. |
| 2 | C2.2.2 | Explain the basic function of laws in the local community. |
| 2 | C3.2.1 | Know that tribes create rules and laws for the public good. |
| 2 | E1.2.2 | Define scarcity and explain how it necessitates choices. |
| 2 | G1.2.1 | Apply basic mapping elements to read and construct maps. |
| 2 | G2.2.2 | Explain ways people depend on, adapt to, and modify the environment. |
| 2 | H1.2.3 | Compare life in the past to life today for various groups. |
| 2 | SSS1.2.2 | Construct an argument with reasons to support it. |
| 3 | C1.3.1 | Recognize the key ideals of unity and diversity. |
| 3 | C3.3.1 | Explain that tribes have lived in North America since time immemorial. |
| 3 | E1.3.2 | Identify positive and negative incentives that influence decisions. |
| 3 | E2.3.4 | Explain the role of money in making exchange easier. |
| 3 | E3.3.1 | Describe how local taxation supports one's community. |
| 3 | G1.3.1 | Examine and use maps and globes to understand regions. |
| 3 | G3.3.1 | Explain that learning about geography helps interpret the past. |
| 3 | H1.3.1 | Create timelines to show events connected to their lives. |
| 3 | H3.3.1 | Demonstrate how contributions made by various groups shaped history. |
| 3 | SSS1.3.1 | Explain the purpose of documents and the concepts used. |
| 3 | SSS2.3.2 | Explain how and why compelling questions are important. |
| 4 | C2.4.1 | Distinguish the responsibilities and power of state, tribal, and local government. |
| 4 | C4.4.2 | Analyze and evaluate ways of influencing state government. |
| 4 | E2.4.2 | Identify the basic elements of Washington state's economy. |
| 4 | E3.4.2 | Explain the meaning of inflation, deflation, and recession. |
| 4 | G1.4.1 | Construct and use maps to explain the movement of people. |
| 4 | G2.4.1 | Draw a conclusion about geographic features of historic territory. |
| 4 | H1.4.2 | Examine how themes and developments define eras in Washington history. |
| 4 | H2.4.1 | Analyze and explain how individuals have caused change. |
| 4 | SSS1.4.2 | Evaluate primary and secondary sources. |
| 4 | SSS4.4.1 | Determine the kinds of sources that will be helpful. |
| 5 | C2.5.5 | Describe the basic duties of the three branches of government. |
| 5 | C3.5.1 | Distinguish the responsibilities and powers of government. |
| 5 | C4.5.3 | Analyze and evaluate ways of influencing national government. |
| 5 | E2.5.1 | Describe how colonial American economic systems operated. |
| 5 | E3.5.2 | Explain ways the British used taxation policies. |
| 5 | G1.5.1 | Construct and use maps to show and analyze information. |
| 5 | G2.5.1 | Compare and analyze the impact of European exploration on geography. |
| 5 | H2.5.1 | Analyze and explain how individuals have caused change in U.S. history. |
| 5 | H2.5.3 | Analyze and explain how technology and ideas have shaped history. |
| 5 | SSS1.5.2 | Construct arguments using claims and evidence. |
| 5 | SSS2.5.3 | Critique arguments. |
| 5 | SSS4.5.1 | Research multiple perspectives to take a position. |
| 6-8 | C1.6-8.1 | Explain how early works such as the Code of Hammurabi influenced law. |
| 6-8 | C1.6-8.3 | Explain key ideals and principles outlined in founding documents. |
| 6-8 | C2.6-8.2 | Distinguish the structure, organization, and powers of government. |
| 6-8 | C2.6-8.6 | Demonstrate that the U.S. government includes interrelated branches. |
| 6-8 | C3.6-8.2 | Analyze how international agreements have affected nations. |
| 6-8 | C4.6-8.1 | Describe the historical origins of civic involvement. |
| 6-8 | E1.6-8.1 | Analyze the costs and benefits of economic choices. |
| 6-8 | E2.6-8.4 | Analyze how the forces of supply and demand affect markets. |
| 6-8 | E3.6-8.2 | Analyze the role of government in the economy. |
| 6-8 | E4.6-8.2 | Explain barriers to trade and how those barriers affect trade. |
| 6-8 | G1.6-8.1 | Construct and analyze maps using scale, direction, and symbols. |
| 6-8 | G1.6-8.5 | Explain and analyze physical and cultural characteristics of places. |
| 6-8 | G2.6-8.4 | Explain the role of immigration in shaping society. |
| 6-8 | G2.6-8.8 | Explain and analyze migration as a catalyst for change. |
| 6-8 | G3.6-8.1 | Explain how learning about geography helps interpret the past and present. |
| 6-8 | H1.6-8.2 | Explain how the rise of civilizations defines eras in history. |
| 6-8 | H1.6-8.4 | Analyze a major historical event and how it is chronicled. |
| 6-8 | H2.6-8.1 | Explain and analyze how individuals and movements have shaped history. |
| 6-8 | H2.6-8.4 | Explain and analyze how technology and ideas have shaped history. |
| 6-8 | H3.6-8.2 | Analyze multiple causal factors to create historical arguments. |
| 6-8 | H4.6-8.3 | Analyze how a historical event in U.S. history helps us understand the present. |
| 6-8 | SSS1.6-8.1 | Analyze positions and evidence supporting an issue. |
| 6-8 | SSS1.6-8.2 | Evaluate the logic of reasons for a position on an issue. |
| 6-8 | SSS2.6-8.1 | Create and use research questions to guide inquiry. |
| 6-8 | SSS2.6-8.2 | Evaluate the breadth, reliability, and credibility of sources. |
| 6-8 | SSS3.6-8.1 | Engage in discussion, analyzing multiple viewpoints. |
| 6-8 | SSS4.6-8.2 | Use appropriate format to cite sources within writing. |
| 9-10 | C2.9-10.1 | Explain how citizens and institutions address social problems. |
| 9-10 | C3.9-10.1 | Analyze the impact of constitutions, laws, and treaties on diplomacy. |
| 9-10 | C4.9-10.2 | Analyze how governments throughout history address public issues. |
| 9-10 | E1.9-10.1 | Analyze how the costs and benefits of economic choices influence decisions. |
| 9-10 | E2.9-10.3 | Analyze how and why countries have specialized in production. |
| 9-10 | E3.9-10.1 | Analyze the costs and benefits of government policies. |
| 9-10 | E4.9-10.2 | Analyze why specialization is used to help countries trade. |
| 9-10 | G1.9-10.1 | Define the characteristics of each of the major world regions. |
| 9-10 | G1.9-10.3 | Create maps that employ geospatial and related technologies. |
| 9-10 | G2.9-10.2 | Explain how humans modify the environment. |
| 9-10 | G3.9-10.3 | Evaluate the consequences of human-made changes to the environment. |
| 9-10 | H1.9-10.1 | Analyze change and continuity within a historical era. |
| 9-10 | H1.9-10.2 | Assess how historical events and developments were shaped by unique circumstances. |
| 9-10 | H2.9-10.1 | Analyze how individuals and movements have shaped U.S. history. |
| 9-10 | H3.9-10.2 | Analyze the multiple causal factors of conflicts. |
| 9-10 | H4.9-10.1 | Examine and assess how an understanding of the past informs the present. |
| 9-10 | SSS1.9-12.1 | Critique the precision of a claim about an issue. |
| 9-12 | SSS1.9-12.4 | Gather relevant information from multiple sources. |
| 9-12 | SSS2.9-12.2 | Evaluate the validity, reliability, and credibility of sources. |
| 9-12 | SSS3.9-12.1 | Evaluate one's own viewpoint and the viewpoints of others. |
| 9-12 | SSS4.9-12.4 | Create strategies to avoid plagiarism and respect sources. |
| 11-12 | C1.11-12.1 | Analyze and evaluate the ideas and principles of founding documents. |
| 11-12 | C1.11-12.2 | Analyze the impact of constitutions, laws, and treaties. |
| 11-12 | C2.11-12.3 | Evaluate the effectiveness of the American system of government. |
| 11-12 | C3.11-12.4 | Evaluate the impact of international organizations. |
| 11-12 | C4.11-12.2 | Analyze and evaluate ways of influencing local, state, and national government. |
| 11-12 | E1.11-12.4 | Use marginal benefits and marginal costs to make decisions. |
| 11-12 | E2.11-12.1 | Analyze how comparative advantage has affected trade. |
| 11-12 | E3.11-12.4 | Evaluate the selection of governmental fiscal policies. |
| 11-12 | E4.11-12.5 | Explain how current globalization trends affect economies. |
| 11-12 | G1.11-12.5 | Evaluate the complexities of regions and the relationships among them. |
| 11-12 | G2.11-12.1 | Evaluate human interaction with the environment. |
| 11-12 | G3.11-12.3 | Analyze how the geography of globalization affects regions. |
| 11-12 | H1.11-12.1 | Evaluate how historical events and developments were shaped by circumstances. |
| 11-12 | H2.11-12.3 | Evaluate how individuals and movements have shaped U.S. history. |
| 11-12 | H3.11-12.3 | Analyze the relationship between historical events and contemporary issues. |
| 11-12 | H3.11-12.7 | Analyze how current interpretations of the past are limited. |
| 11-12 | H4.11-12.3 | Analyze how current events today are rooted in past events. |
Is homeschooling legal in Washington?
Yes. Washington authorizes home-based instruction under RCW 28A.200.010 and 28A.225.010.
Do I have to notify anyone to homeschool in Washington?
Parent must file an annual signed Declaration of Intent to provide home-based instruction with the local public school district superintendent (or a nonresident district that accepts the student) by September 15, or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter/trimester/semester. The declaration must state the name and age of each child and specify whether a certificated person will supervise the instruction; it uses a format prescribed by OSPI (RCW 28A.200.010 / 28A.225.010). To qualify to home-school, a parent must either (a) be supervised by a WA-certificated person meeting weekly, (b) have completed 45 college quarter credits or a qualifying parent-education course, or (c) be deemed sufficiently qualified by the district superintendent (RCW 28A.225.010).
Is standardized testing required for homeschoolers in Washington?
Yes (grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12). Parent must keep, as part of the child's permanent records, the annual standardized test scores OR the written annual academic progress assessment, plus immunization records and any other instructional/educational records. These records are forwarded to the new school upon transfer. There is no requirement to submit assessment results to the state or district unless transferring.
What subjects are required for homeschooling in Washington?
Washington requires instruction in: reading; writing; spelling; language; mathematics; science; social studies; history; health; occupational education; appreciation of art and music.
Does Washington have its own learning standards?
Math: CCSS-M (Washington State K-12 Learning Standards for Mathematics). ELA: CCSS-ELA (Washington State K-12 Learning Standards for English Language Arts). Science: NGSS (Washington State K-12 Science Learning Standards / Next Generation Science Standards). Social studies: Washington State K-12 Social Studies Learning Standards (EALRs and Grade Level Expectations), adopted September 2019.