Every state has “compulsory education” laws that require school attendance. In Washington, that means children must attend school or home-based education from the time they’re 8 years old until they turn 18 or graduate from high school. But some students may drop out early. Below is a summary of the state’s requirements for staying in school, dropping out, and getting high school equivalency diplomas.
Requirements for Dropping Out Legally in Washington
All students in Washington State may legally drop out as of their 18th birthday. But 16- and 17-year-old youth may also leave school before they meet graduation requirements if:
- they’re legally and regularly employed, and either they’re legally emancipated or their parents have agreed they can drop out; or
- they've received a high school equivalency certificate (more on that below).
(Wash. Rev. Code § 28A:225.010 (2019).)
Other Exemptions from the Attendance Requirement
School-age children are exempt from the attendance requirement if:
- their physical or mental condition prevents them from either going to school or benefiting from instruction, or
- they’re attending a state-operated residential school or a certified education center that focuses on teaching basic academic skills.
(Wash. Rev. Code Ann. § 28A:225.010(c), (d) (2019).)
What Happens to Truants and Their Parents in Washington?
Most people know that there are usually long-term consequences from dropping out of school. But they might not realize that when students stop going to school before they’ve met the requirements for dropping out legally, there could be more immediate legal consequences for both the truants and their parents.
When students skip school, Washington schools will first address the problem with steps like parent conferences and support services. However, once students have racked up at least five unexcused absences in a month, the school may file a truancy petition in juvenile court against the student and/or the parents. A truancy petition is required if the student is younger than 17 and has seven unexcused absences in a month or ten in the same academic year. The court will refer the student and parents to a community truancy board, which will meet with them to come up with an agreement about actions to address the problem.
If the student or parents don’t follow the agreement, the court will move ahead with a hearing and may order the student to take certain steps. Students who don’t follow these orders may have to perform community service, participate in a nonresidential program, meet with a mentor, or take advantage of other services or interventions. If that doesn’t work, the truant could face up to 72 hours in juvenile detention.
The juvenile court may also find parents of a truant guilty of violating the compulsory education law, unless they can prove that they made reasonable efforts to make their child go to school or that the school district didn’t take all the required steps to address the truancy problem. If the court finds the parents guilty, it may order them to pay a fine (up to $25 for each day of unexcused absences) or perform community service. (Wash. Rev. Code §§ 28A.225.018, 28A.225.020, 28A.225.030, 28A.225.035, 28A.225.090 (2019).)
Washington Requirements for Taking High School Equivalency Tests
Washington residents without a high school diploma can receive a high school equivalency certificate if they pass the GED test. Generally, you have to be at least 19 years old in order to take the test. However, dropouts who are at least 16 may be eligible under certain conditions, including when they:
- have "substantial and warranted" reasons for leaving regular school
- were home schooled
- are enrolled in special state programs such as the dropout reengagement program, or
- are active members of the military, national guard, or reserves.
Substantial and warranted reasons for leaving high school include:
- personal problems that make it much more difficult to progress in school toward graduation
- a financial crisis that requires the student to work during school hours
- the school’s inability to provide appropriate curriculum and instruction for the student, or to adjust its program to meet the student’s needs; and
- a school employee’s decision that it’s in the student’s best interest to drop out in order to work, join the military, or go to a postsecondary educational institution.
However, a minor (under 18) can’t qualify for this exception unless the parents agree that dropping out would be in their child’s best interest. (Wash. Rev. Code § 28A.305.190; Wash. Admin. Code §§ 131-48-100, 180.96.045 (2019).)
All dropouts under 19 must submit a completed “Request for Approval to Test” form from their last high school or the school district office before they can take the GED test.