(From the Christian Heritage Home Educators of Washington)
Speakers bio: Scott and DiAnna Brannan have been married twenty-two years and are the parents of two teenage children, both of whom have been homeschooled from the beginning of their schooling venture. The Brannans have served on the board of a state homeschool organization and currently are on the board and teach classes for a homeschool cooperative, which they founded. They are also the founders of Christian Homeschool Network of Washington, with a mission of communicating with legislators and home educators regarding legislative and local issues that affect homeschooling in the state of Washington.
Recommended book: Homeschool Heroes
Washington is the 12th most restricted state
The current homeschool law went into effect in 1985. 51% of your child’s education must be done by you or your child’s legal guardian.
The school system has no authority over homeschool once you file the declaration of intent. The courst system does, though.
To qualify
1. 45 college credits, or,
2. Work with a certified teacher, or,
3. get approval from the district superintendent, or,
4. take a homeschool qualification course
Declaration of Intent
You only need to sign your child’s name, and age, and to notify if you are working with a certified teacher. You DO NOT need to supply a birthdate or anything else. File the year they turn eight (before the September deadline).
File with the local school superintendent.
We need to hold our government accountable with upholding the law. Do not provide more information that what is required by law. The Christian Homeschool Network site has a legal declaration of intent for Washington. Do not use the one the school distric supplies. It will ask for more information than in required. (Not a single school form they have seen is in compliance to the law).
The Declaration of Intent is not asking permission. It is a declaration to the school that they are "off the hook".
Record Keeping
You do not need to show records to anyone, unless you enroll your child in the school system. Keep records for accountability and stewardship.
Assess yearly
The WASL is not a standardized test-It’s only based on the Washington State public school curriculum. Do not have your kids take the WASL.
They encourage professional assessment on younger children , ans standardized test (ex. Iowa Basic Skills Test) for older. Assessments are done by a certified teacher.
Even though you are not required to enroll your child in school before the age of eight, if your child is enrolled in school before age eight, you must still officially withdraw your child.
Discipleship first
Academics second
Part-time Education: Children can take classes at a public school. The school can claim funding for your child’s time on campus.
A public school at home program is under the same mandate as the public school. It is subject to scrutiny and visits.
Treat those with authority over you with respect.
Protect your children. Satan will not play fair, but he has to go through the parents to get to the children.
The greatest threat to our children is their peers.
Make their father their hero.