New Here

[Patricia Harvey]

My name is Trish- Hubby is Keith and we have one Daughter Hanna who is 8 1/2 years old. We are radical Unschoolers here in California. My Husband recently got laid off his job so he is going to be looking possibly in the Washington area. Redmond- Seattle? When I look at the laws for homeschooling it is scary to me. Is it is hard as it looks. I do have an AS in Child Development so I don't know if that makes me "qualified" and I prefer to "fly under the radar" so to speak and not give out too much information. I want nothing to do with the Public or Private school systems and prefer to stay on our own. 

Wondering if it will be a huge shock. My Daughter also does not do well with testing. She has fears. She is extremely bright and does things her way-haha. 

Any info would be much appreciated. 

Trish :)

[Sandra Dodd]

What some people do to avoid local reporting is sign up with a school like http://Clonlara.org or, for older kids, Beach High School. http://www2.cruzio.com/~beachhi/home.html

There are unschoolers up there who can help, but the reason I brought up the other is that even if your family moved around more and went to more restrictive states, enrollment in clonlara or something similar could possibly be the stability. On the other hand, it costs money.

The more choices you can consider, though, the less scary it might seem.

[Patricia Harvey]

Thanks!! That is very helpful and looks like it would fit us. I just need the freedom and not tied down to curriculum.

Trish :)

[Frank Maier]

WA is not as bad as you fear. You should check an objective source like http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/laws/blWA.htm for factual info but I'll throw out my experience here:

1. You must register every year at the beginning of the school year. RCW 28A.200.010(1)(a)

2. You must have ONE of the following: 1. 45 college quarter credits, or 2. take a homeschooling instruction class (available at most community colleges - short and cheap), or 3. have approval from you school district superintendent. RCW 28A.225.010(4)(b)

3. Do annual testing or evaluation. This information is NOT required to be shared with anyone. The state cannot demand or even ask to see it. RCW 28A.200.010(1)(b)

Finally, RCW 28A.225.010(5) demands that these regulations be liberally construed.

[Robin B.]

As to testing/evaluation, there are a couple of no-stress options offered by: http://www.goodlifehomeschool.com/index.html (owned by an unschooling mom!) and https://www.familylearning.org/tests_assessments.php

WA has some of the least onerous homeschooling laws; it's easy to unschool here. Let us know if and when you move!

[Frank Maier]

Robin is good, Robin is wise. Trust Robin! (wink)

Besides she's a Hot Backup Chick with The Greybeards - a rock group composed of unschooling parents. Rockin' Robin!

Frank - who used to work for Microsoft Corp. Good luck to your hubby!

[Patricia Harvey]

Thanks all!! Lots of good information. My Husband has always wanted to retire up to Washington after working with Microsoft on some projects. Says it is beautiful up there with lots of rain which we love. Trish :)

[Robin B.]

Aw, Frank...(blushes)

Hey, there wouldn't be any Greybeards OR Hot Backup Chicks if it wasn't for Frank. He's da man!

Tweedle-dee-dee!