You don't have to...

...go to school until you are 8 years old here in WA state. What?! Oh yeh, you can shock people with that piece of info most anywhere in the state. We have all been trained that the moment a child turns 5, we must rush them off to school to be "educated" (as if they haven't received any education up to that point). The truth is compulsory age in the state of Washington is 8 years old and under 18. If you child is within that age range, they must attend public school, private school or be "receiving home based instruction according to the law" (RCW 28A.200.010). So if you know that you are going to homeschool your child from the get go, you don't even have to think "formal education" until 8. What am I saying?! You never have to think "formal education" (more on that in a future post) but you will have to file an Intent to Homeschool form with a public school district once your child turns 8. Now if you were sucked into the idea that your only option for your precious child's education was to go to school at age 5 and you sent them off, you do have to officially withdraw them AND fill out the intent to homeschool form even if they are under the age of 8. Once you have allowed them to be part of the public school system, they're in. So please don't quit sending your 6 yo to school and then try to tell the public school that you don't have to because your child isn't compulsory age. Your child will be considered truant and you will end up in truancy court.

Alright, there is my tidbit for the day. I do need to drag myself away from the computer and actually "do school" with my children. Next up will be the Intent to Homeschool form. Until then, "light the fire"!