Home-Based Instruction Information

Home-based instruction may be provided by a parent who has filed a declaration of intent with the Shoreline district office by September 15 of the school year or within two (2) weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester, with the superintendent of the public school district within which the parent resides.

There are four possible ways to qualify to homeschool:

1. The parent is supervised by a certificated person. Contact with the certificated person must be a minimum each
month of an average of one contact hour per week.

2. The parent has either earned forty-five college level quarter credit hours or its equivalent in semester hours.

3. The parent has completed a course in home-based instruction at a postsecondary institution or a vocational technical institute, or

4. The parent has been deemed sufficiently qualified by the superintendent of the local school district in which the child resides.

All decisions relating to philosophy or doctrine, selection of books, teaching materials and curriculum, methods, timing, place and provision of the evaluation to home-based instruction shall be the responsibility of the parent. Failure of a parent to comply with standards as specified in the law shall constitute a violation to the compulsory attendance law. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that the standardized testing or annual assessment is done and that the results are part of the student’s permanent record.

Home-based instruction shall consist of instruction and related educational activities, including 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. Such instruction shall be equivalent to the total annual program hours per grade level as established for approved private schools.

Home-based students are permitted to enroll in public school on a part-time basis and may receive ancillary services. Ancillary services are defined as any co-curricular service or activity, any health care service or activity, and any other services or activities, except "courses," for or in which pre-school through twelfth grade students are enrolled by a public school. Ancillary services shall include, but not be limited to, counseling, psychological services, testing, remedial instruction, speech and hearing therapy, health care services, tutorial services such as home or hospital instruction for the physically disabled, and sports activities.

Please return a Declaration of Intent to Provide Home-Based Instruction.

Legal Ref:

RCW 28A.200.010

RCW28A.225.010(4)