Homeschooling, or educating one’s children at home, is becoming a popular and widely accepted decision for many parents. It is a great way to give each child individualized attention and tailoring of their learning and educational experience.
Unlike traditional schooling, homeschooling allows children to move forward or focus more deeply on topics in which they demonstrate an interest or are struggling to comprehend. It’s important to note that each state has its own homeschooling regulations and restrictions. Washington State, in particular, provides those who opt to homeschool the flexibility to use their own choice in curriculum and content.
In this article, we will answer the question: What homeschool curriculum does Washington State allow?
What Is the Legal Homeschooling Status in Washington State?
Washington State homeschooling laws are quite lenient and allow those who choose homeschooling to shape the educational curriculum and learning environment fully. Those who wish to homeschool must submit an affidavit and attendance report to the school district.
According to veteran homeschooler, Samuel L. Blumenfeld, in his book “Is Public Education Necessary?”, published in 1985, Washington State “has no law authorizing homeschooling,” and thus the state does not regulate homeschooling at all.
Those who wish to begin homeschooling in Washington State, must submit an affidavit to their local school district or superintendent, that they intend to homeschool their student, along with establishing a state-recognized curriculum. Private schools created prior to 1st July 2008 will also be considered and all such homeschoolers are exempt from any evaluations that may be carried out by the state.
What Curriculum and Programs Does Washington State Allow for Homeschoolers?
Parents of homeschooling students in Washington State have the complete freedom to select any curriculum or program for their students. According to the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, “Currently, Washington law does not regulate home-based instruction by requiring school districts to monitor the academic progress of home-based instruction programs, nor does it require local school districts to determine whether a program meets any standard or whether a home-based instruction program is tutoring. ” This implies that parents are left to decide what method of teaching and curriculum they wish to follow while homeschooling their children.
Popular home-based instruction programs used in Washington State include:
- The Harmony Program: Developed by Windows of Opportunity, Inc. , the Harmony Program incorporates proven theories used by the Montessori Method, Traditional Education, and Multi-sensory Social Cognitive Theory.
- The K12 Program: Backed by an accredited, tuition-free virtual public school, the K12 program covers language arts, math, science, history/social sciences, & electives.
- Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool: An online, Christian, free curriculum for PreK-12th grade, it has materials for all grades and skill levels and covers the following studies: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, History/Geography, and Bible Studies.
- Time4Learning: An interactive, computer-based program, Time4Learning quickly adapts to a student’s individual learning style, whether they’re an auditory learner, visual learner, or a kinesthetic learner.
They offer complete curriculum for Pre-K-8th grade, with some high school courses.
- Oak Meadow: A Waldorf-inspired curriculum, Oak Meadow offers online courses K-12, combining core subjects like language arts, math, science, and social studies with art, music, and health.
- Saxon Math: Saxon Math is a traditional math program covering grades K-12, and is often used for homeschoolers as a supplement to their worksheet-based math curriculum. It’s often used as a reference for remedial math as well.
What Else Can Parents in Washington State Do to Make Sure Their Students Receive the Best Homeschool Education?
Washington State parents who homeschool have a variety of learning options and tailor their curriculum to fit the needs of their students. Parents can incorporate religious materials into their curriculum and can also select from a plethora of available resources and maximize learning potential by utilizing the following ways:
- Find online homeschooling classes and programs: Many online homeschool programs, such as K12, provide accredited online and path-based learning experiences that can be used to supplement learning and take the pressure off of the parents. Online classes also help bridge learning gaps and socialize your child with others in the same age group.
- Utilize homeschooling co-ops and groups: Most states, including Washington, offer homeschooling support groups including online forums, homeschooling cons, and co-ops, which can help homeschoolers find curricular resources and make connections with other homeschooling families. These groups also provide an opportunity to engage with other families and participate in organized events, such as field trips, book studies, and museum visits.
- Public Library Resources: Libraries are a great resource to homeschoolers as parents can take advantage of audio, video, and electronic resources, such as streaming services, and research databases, which can be helpful when it comes to helping their children develop a deeper understanding of any given subject.
Conclusion
Homeschooling is becoming increasingly popular and the trend is gaining traction in Washington State. Washington State homeschooling regulations are lenient and parents are in control of their children’s educational choices. Parents have the option to pick any curriculum for their students, provided that it is recognized by the state.
Online classes, programs, co-ops, profiles and more resources for homeschoolers are available to help parents access the best educational materials that meet the needs of their students. With the right resources and plan, Washington State parents have the power to provide their students with the best possible homeschool education.