| Issues | Homeschooling | Public Alternative Education |
| What laws regulate the programs | RCW 28A.200, the Home-Based Instruction Law | WAC 392-121-182, Public School Alternative Learning Experience |
| Who has control and is accountable for the education of the child? | The parents have control on what, when, why, and how their children will learn. The parents are accountable. | Certificated staff is in control, responsible and accountable for the ALP (Alternative Learning Plan) and assessments. |
| What about curriculum? | Parents have complete control over curriculum content, level, presentation, etc. Parents provide their own curriculum. | School district may allow parental input. Districts provide curriculum and sometimes purchase orders for curriculum purchases. |
| Is a faith-based curriculum OK? | Absolutely. All decisions relating to curriculum and philosophy or doctrine are the responsibility of the parent. | No. It is against the law for public school programs to use religious curriculum. |
| What are the testing requirements? | There are two testing options - standardized achievement test or non-test-based assessment; the results remain in the home. | All students take the state-mandated WASL (Washington Assessmemt of Student Learning). |
| What are the requirements for student progress? | It is the parents' responsibility to see that the child's progress if appropriate for their age or stage of development. | All student's performance is evaluated every 45 school days. if s/he is not progressing, the ALP is revised. |
| What are the record keeping requirements? | Parents keep the health, testing and educational records of their child at home. | ALP records, evaluations, grades, credits, WASL scores, etc. are kept at the school. |
| What about Outcome-Based Education and Goals 2000? | Homeschooled students are exempt from Outcome-Based Education and Goals 2000. | The student's ALP must support the Outcome-Based education goals and objectives. |