Homeschool Information

In IA’s decade of online experience, we have seen a growing number of families choose to home school their children. While many of these families have taken courses with us, others choose to home school independently. Regardless of your choice, helpful information and resources await you below.

We provide this because we believe that Washington’s children—those learning at home, those learning in public school, and those learning online—deserve a first-rate education and we take pride in our ten years of augmenting homeschooling for our families

There are multiple laws that impact how homeschool families homeschool their children. The following laws reference specifically or in part information about providing Home-Based Instruction:

RCW 28A.225.010, 28A.225.015, 28A.200.010, and 28A.200.020

In addition, the Office of Public Instruction has produced a publication called the "Pink Book". This PDF booklet may also be purchased in hardcopy from OSPI by calling 360-725-6423. The OSPI website also has additional information regarding homeschooling

In August 2005 the rules governing Alternative Learning, WAC 392.121.182, were modified to include Digital Learning Programs such as the Internet Academy. There are multiple entries within this revised law referring to homeschool students, emphasis added:

(1)(a) Individual courses of study for students who meet the definition for enrollment specified by WAC 392-121-106. Students may enroll part-time in alternative learning experiences. Such enrollment shall be subject to the provisions of RCW 28A.150.350 and chapter 392-134 WAC;

(3)(e) A school district that provides one or more alternative learning experiences to a student shall provide the parent(s) or guardian of the student, prior to the student's enrollment, with a description of the difference between home-based instruction pursuant to chapter 28A.200 RCW and the enrollment option selected by the student. The parent or guardian shall sign documentation attesting to his or her understanding of the difference and the documentation shall be retained by the district and made available for audit.

(6)(b) The educational progress of students enrolled in alternative learning experiences shall be assessed at least annually, using, for full-time students, the state assessment for the student's grade level and using any other annual assessments required by the school district. Part-time students shall also be assessed at least annually. However, part-time students who are either receiving home-based instruction under chapter 28A.200 RCW or who are enrolled in an approved private school under chapter 28A.195 RCW are not required to participate in the assessments required under chapter 28A.655 RCW.

Homeschool Web Resources

Washington Homeschool Organization (WHO) - The Washington Homeschool Organization (WHO) is a statewide, non-profit membership organization. Its mission is to serve the diverse interests of home-based education in Washington State.

Washington State Homeschool Law - a basic overview of the homeschool law in Washington state, not a comprehensive, verbatim duplicate of it.

Homeschool Legal Defense Association - brief summary of the homeschooling law in Washington.