OSPI's building is closed to the public until further notice. OSPI will continue serving the public via phone, email, and the website.
See OSPI’s COVID-19 guidance and resources for educators, students, and families.
Home-Based Instruction
Home-Based Instruction
homebased@k12.wa.us
Washington state law recognizes the desire of some parents and families to seek a home-based instruction for their children. OSPI offers technical assistance to school districts that are working with parents seeking to exercise this educational right.
RCW 28A.200.011(1) states that each person whose child is receiving home-based instruction under RCW 28A.225.010(4) must file annually a signed declaration of intent that he or she is planning to cause his or her child to receive home-based instruction. The declaration is to be filed by September 15 of the school year or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester with (1) the superintendent of the public school district within which the parent resides, or (2) the superintendent of a nonresident public school district that accepts the transfer, in which case, the student is considered a transfer student of the nonresident district.
Each school year, school district administrators are asked to complete the Home-Based Student Annual Report to identify the number of students whose parent or guardian has filed declarations of intent to provide home-based instruction for the current school year. This data is used to maintain student enrollment statistics and project enrollment statistics and trends.
The Pink Book: Washington State Laws Regulating Home-Based Instruction
This provides some greater explanation and frequently asked questions around home-based instruction.
The State Board of Education list of approved standardized tests.
These tests qualify for the annual assessment required of students in home-based instruction.
- Private homeschooling organizations such as:
- Washington Homeschool Organization,
- Family Learning Organization,
- Christian Heritage Home Educators of Washington.
These network organizations are able to provide more information about practice and resources that meets the requirements as well as successfully educates your students.
State Laws pertaining to Home-based Instruction are:
Regulations
Washington State's Laws Regulating Home-Based Instruction "Pink Book"
Appendices
- A-1 Request for Part-Time Attendance or Ancillary Services
- A-2 Declaration of Intent to Provide Home-Based Instruction
- A-3 Examples of Approved Standardized Achievement Tests for Home-Based Instruction Use
- A-4 RCW 28A.150.260 - Annual Basic Education Allocation of Funds According to Average FTE Student Enrollment
- A-5 RCW 28A.150.350 - Part Time Students - Defined - Enrollment Authorized - Reimbursement for Costs
- A-6 Chapter 28A.200 RCW - Home-Based Instruction
- A-7 Chapter 28A.225 RCW - Compulsory School Attendance and Admission
- A-8 Chapter 392-134 WAC - Finance - Apportionment for Part-Time Public School Attendance