Homeschooling has been around as long as kids have. To ensure its legality in Washington, the legislature passed the Home-Based Instruction law in 1985.

Washington State's RCW ('Revised Code of Washington') requires that children 8 years and older are schooled (more on the law).  The RCW does not require that this schooling be done in a formal institution.  For those like us, who choose to school our kids at home, this much is required:

• parents/guardians must be qualified to homeschool.  They can choose how to qualify (find out how)
• parents/guardians must declare their intent to homeschool.
• eleven particular subjects must be taught
• standardized test or a non-test assessment must be done yearly (only parents see the results)
• in case of eventual school enrollment, assessment results and immunization records must be kept
• Visit the Washington Homeschool Organization for details