Declaration of Intent Form

Declaration of Intent FAQ's

The way the law is written?

RCW 28A.200.010 Home-based instruction -- Duties of parents. Each parent whose child is receiving home-based instruction under RCW 28A.225.010(4) shall have the duty to:
(1) File annually a signed declaration of intent that he or she is planning to cause his or her child to receive home-based instruction. The statement shall include the name and age of the child, shall specify whether a certificated person will be supervising the instruction, and shall be written in a format prescribed by the superintendent of public instruction. Each parent shall file the statement by September 15 of the school year or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester with the superintendent of the public school district within which the parent resides or the district that accepts the transfer, and the student shall be deemed a transfer student of the nonresident district. Parents may apply for transfer under RCW 28A.225.220;

When must you file?

You must file a declaration of intent form by law annually if your child/ren are between the ages of 8 and 18, and you plan on home-educating them. You must file "the statement by September 15 of the school year or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester with the superintendent of the public school district within which the parent resides or the district that accepts the transfer."

Where do I get the form and how do I file it?
You request the form from the superintendent of schools in the school district you reside. You then file the declaration of intent with the district superintendent where you reside. When filing, always get a copy that is stamped received or send it certified mail. This protects you from anyone saying you did not file your form.

What if they ask for more info then the law requires?

You do not need to give them any more information then the law requires. If they ask, you are not obligated to answer, leave the space blank or black them out. You are only required to give the child's name, age, and specify whether a certified person will be supervising the instruction, nothing more, nothing less.

Do I need to show proof that I qualify to Home-educate?

No, you do not. If they ask, you Do Not have to answer.

Do I need to be supervised by a teacher?
No, you do not have to have a certified teacher supervise you. Having a certified teacher supervise you is one of four ways that you can qualify to home-educate in Washington. If you are not using that option, leave the space blank or check no.

Declaration of Intent Sample Form

The Declaration of intent form must be filed annually. You need to by September 15 or within two weeks of the beginning of any public school quarter, trimester, or semester. You need to request this form from the superintendent of the public school district that you reside, or a district that accepts you as a transfer. It is best to get a stamped as received copy of the form or send it certified mail, to show they did in fact receive it. The form should look very similar to this:

Declaration of Intent to Provide Home-Based Instruction

_______________________________

Public School District

_______________________________

Street Address

_______________________________

City, State Zip

I intend to cause said child(ren) to receive home-based instruction as specified in RCW 28A.225.010(4);

Child(ren)'s Name(s) Age

_______________________________ _______

[ ] A person certificated in Washington State pursuant to chapter 28A.410 RCW will supervise the home-based instruction.

_______________________________ _____________

Signature Date

_______________________________

Street Address

_______________________________

City, State Zip