Home Instruction FAQs
SBE is responsible for approving standardized achievement tests that parents may use as an annual assessment of the student’s academic progress (RCW 200.010).
No, parents have two options to satisfy this statutory requirement (RCW 28A.200.010). They must ensure that:
- A standardized achievement test approved by the State Board of Education is administered according to protocol annually to the child by a qualified individual; or
- An annual assessment of the student's academic progress is written by a certificated certified person who is currently working in the field of education.
More information on administration of tests and annual assessment of students?academic progress may be found on the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction website (see question 7 below).
Approved standardized tests that parents may use for annually assessing a student’s academic progress include:
- Any test listed in in the table below (per WAC 180-52-070).
- Any standardized test that has been reviewed by the Buros Institute (the test evaluation organization recognized by the State Board of Education under WAC 180-52-070). Parents should use the information about the test to choose an appropriate test that can determine if the student is making reasonable academic progress.
- The state standardized achievement test used in public schools. Parents may make arrangements with a school district to have their student participate in a regularly scheduled administration of the state assessment at the school district.
The following list are examples of tests that may be used for demonstrating a student’s academic progress. (Note: this list may not be up to date. Some tests may no longer be available. Parents are responsible for making sure testing (or an annual assessment per RCW 28A.200.010) is performed and results are retained as part of the student’s record.)
| Test Name | Test Publisher |
|---|---|
| American College Testing (ACT) | American College Testing, Inc. |
| Brigance | Curriculum Associates, Inc. |
| California Achievement Tests, Fifth Edition (CAT/5) | CTB/McGraw-Hill |
| California Diagnostic Tests (CDT) | CTB/McGraw-Hill |
| Comprehensive Tests of Basic Skills (CTBS) | CTB/McGraw-Hill |
| Iowa Tests of Basic Skills (ITBS) | Riverside Publishing Company |
| Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITED) | Riverside Publishing Company |
| Metropolitan Achievement Tests, Seventh Edition (MAT/7) | Harcourt Educational Measurement |
| Peabody Individual Achievement Test (PIAT) | American Guidance Service, In. |
| PLAN (Pre-ACT) | American College Testing, Inc. |
| Preliminary Scholastic Achievement Test (PSAT) | The College Board |
| SAT and SAT Subject Tests | The College Board |
| Stanford Achievement Tests (SAT) | Harcourt Educational Measurement |
| Stanford Early Achievement Test (SEAT) | Psychological Corporation |
| Terra Nova | CTB/McGraw-Hill |
| Tests of Achievement and Proficiency (TAP) | Riverside Publishing Company |
| WA State Assessments: MSP, HSPE, EOC | Washington State |
Yes, but it must be taken at one of its regularly scheduled administrations.
Contact the assessment coordinator in your local school district to make arrangements to participate in the state tests at one of the regularly scheduled administrations.
Check with the local district. The state does not maintain centralized records of individual diplomas. Local districts must retain transcripts for 100 years.
For more information concerning Washington State home-based instruction regulations, contact:
Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction
Student Engagement and Support
Alternative Learning Department
Attn: Rhett Nelson
PO Box 47200
Olympia, WA 98504-7200
Office: 360-725-4971 | tty: 360-664-3631
Email: homebased@k12.wa.us
OSPI has more information on home schooling available on their website.
Page last updated: May 2024