Yes, homeschooling is legal in Washington under state law, provided families comply with specific oversight requirements. The Washington State Board of Education (SBE) and local school districts regulate homeschooling, mandating annual assessments and record-keeping. Recent legislative discussions in 2025 suggest potential adjustments to reporting standards, effective by 2026, which may tighten oversight for non-public instruction.
Key Regulations for Homeschooling in Washington
- Annual Assessment Requirement: Homeschooled students must undergo standardized testing or an approved alternative evaluation annually, with results submitted to the local school district by August 31. The SBE designates approved assessments, including the Iowa Assessments and Stanford 10.
- Instructional Hour and Subject Mandates: Instruction must align with Washington’s Required Annual Course of Study, covering subjects such as math, science, history, language arts, and health. A minimum of 1,000 instructional hours over 180 days is required for grades 1–12, with 1,080 hours for grades 9–12.
- Notification and Record-Keeping: Parents must file a Declaration of Intent to Homeschool with their local school district within 10 days of withdrawing a child from public school. Comprehensive records—including attendance logs, curriculum descriptions, and assessment results—must be maintained for potential audits by the SBE or district officials.
Violations of these provisions may result in district intervention, including mandatory enrollment in public school or legal penalties under RCW 28A.200.020. Homeschooling families should consult the SBE’s Homeschooling Guidelines and their district’s homeschool liaison for compliance updates.