What is the difference between Home-Based Instruction and Public School Alternative Learning Experiences?

(from OSPI’s Program Implementation Guidelines for Alternative Learning Experience, November 1, 2005)

Home-based instruction is authorized under Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 28A.225.010 and RCW 28A.200.  When a parent or guardian has filed a ‘declaration of intent to provide home-based instruction’ with the district and is meeting the requirement s for home-based instruction stated in RCW 28A.225, the student is eligible to receive home-based instruction.  Students receiving only home-based instruction are not enrolled in public education, and they do not have to comply with the rules and regulations regarding public schools.  Since the student is not registered or enrolled in the public school system, the school district is under no obligation to provide instruction or instructional materials for these students.  Home-based instruction students are not required to participate in any district or state testing and /or assessments.   Additionally home-based instruction students are not eligible for graduation through a public high school unless they meet all of the graduation requirements established by the state, district, and the local high school.  This includes earning the Certificate of Academic Achievement.

Part-time enrollment:

Home-based instruction students may have access to ancillary services and may enroll in a public school course, such as an alternative learning experience program, on a part-time bases where space is available.  Part-time enrollment is defined as being less than full-time enrollment.  In these cases, the student is responsible for maintaining acceptable attendance and meeting all course and school requirements.  For an alternative learning experience, this will mean meeting the requirements of the written student learning plan.  The student continues to be considered a home-based instruction student when enrolled part-time in a public school setting.  Therefore, except for the individual class requirements, school and district attendance rules, and school behavior policies, the limitations and restrictions noted in the paragraph above are in force.

Full-time enrollment

A student enrolling full-time in a public school alternative learning experience program is not receiving home-based instruction, even if the parent or guardian has filed a ‘declaration of intent to provide home-based instruction with the school district.  The student is considered a public school student and is subject to all the rules and regulations governing the actions of all public school students.  This includes but is not limited to, attendance, meeting course requirements, graduation requirements, and assessment requirements.  Full-time students are eligible for graduation from a public high school upon meeting all of the school, district, and state requirements.

Public School Alternative Learning Programs and Parent Partnered Programs offer many options to families not choosing to enroll their child in a public school.  Some of these programs include digital learning or internet-based programs, parent/partner programs, and certain forms of contracted education.  Links to some of these programs can be found here: