Nearly 7,000 state seniors don’t pass math exam

SEATTLE — Just as Washington state officials predicted, most of Washington’s high school seniors are passing the statewide exams required to graduate. But that fact doesn’t make life any easier for the nearly 7,000 students in the class of 2013 who have yet to pass the newly required math test and didn’t get their diplomas in June.

This year’s graduating class was the first that had to pass either an algebra or geometry test in addition to previous requirements that included reading and writing exams.

Of the 71,671 students who stayed in school until the end of their senior year, more than 4,100 didn’t meet their math test requirement and another 2,700 never even attempted the exams, according to data released recently by the state education department to The Associated Press.

Some “seniors” will continue to work toward graduation by attending another year of high school, according to Nathan Olson, spokesman for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. State law promises a free public education until age 21 for people who have not earned a diploma or GED.

Of the nearly 7,000 who didn’t meet their math test requirement in time to graduate in June, some will find out by August the results of a late spring exam or the graduation portfolio alternative called the collection of evidence.

The numbers are better than they were at the start of spring, between April 1 and June 6 more than 2,000 students received some good news, learning they met the state math requirement and graduated on time.

Overall, about 90 percent of Washington state seniors met the math standard by passing either the algebra or geometry exam or an approved alternative. That’s an improvement over a 71 percent passage rate on the algebra test and a 79 percent pass rate on the geometry test in 2012, the year before math became a graduation requirement.

Pass rates for writing and reading have been above 90 percent for the past few years. Students are given multiple chances to meet their graduation testing requirements. There are also various alternatives such as scoring well on the SAT or turning in a portfolio of academic work.

“Our teachers, students and families should be proud of their accomplishments,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn, when this year’s test results were announced in late June.

“But I don’t want the students who dropped out of school to be forgotten,” he added.

More than 380 students who started their senior year in fall 2012 dropped out or transferred before June, Olson said. That number doesn’t include the students who dropped out in their freshman, sophomore or junior years.

Dorn has made increasing the number of Washington students who graduate from high school — in four years or longer— a top priority of his administration. The state’s five-year graduation rate has been inching toward 80 percent over the past few years.

The numbers for the class of 2013 won’t be announced until early next year.

Of those in the class of 2013 who didn’t make it to commencement, some transferred to private schools, which usually don’t require students to meet state graduation requirements to earn a diploma.

Bob Hagin, founder and principal of Northwest Liberty School, a mostly online private high school in Woodinville, says his program helps hundreds of seniors finish their public school work online or in a small learning lab. For students who just can’t fulfill all the state requirements, Hagin offers a private school diploma.

Hagin said his empathy for struggling students led him to start his school a few years ago, after more than 20 years in public education.

“I think they should be able to come to the finish line after 13 years of hard work,” Hagin said.

On the Net

Washington state testing: www.k12.wa.us/assessment/StateTesting/PLD/default.aspx

Graduation and Dropout Statistics: www.k12.wa.us/DataAdmin/ dropoutgrad

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Trader Joe’s customers walk in and out of the store on Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New Trader Joe’s opens this week at Everett Mall

It’s a short move from a longtime location, essentially across the street, where parking was often an adventure.

Ian Bramel-Allen enters a guilty plea to second-degree murder during a plea and sentencing hearing on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Deep remorse’: Man gets 17 years for friend’s fatal stabbing in Edmonds

Ian Bramel-Allen, 44, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder for killing Bret Northcutt last year at a WinCo.

Firefighters respond to a small RV and a motorhome fire on Tuesday afternoon in Marysville. (Provided by Snohomish County Fire Distrct 22)
1 injured after RV fire, explosion near Marysville

The cause of the fire in the 11600 block of 81st Avenue NE had not been determined, fire officials said.

Ashton Dedmon appears in court during his sentencing hearing on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett Navy sailor sentenced to 90 days for fatal hit and run

Ashton Dedmon crashed into Joshua Kollman and drove away. Dedmon, a petty officer on the USS Kidd, reported he had a panic attack.

A kindergarten student works on a computer at Emerson Elementary School on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘¡Una erupción!’: Dual language programs expanding to 10 local schools

A new bill aims to support 10 new programs each year statewide. In Snohomish County, most follow a 90-10 model of Spanish and English.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Woman drives off cliff, dies on Tulalip Reservation

The woman fell 70 to 80 feet after driving off Priest Point Drive NW on Sunday afternoon.

Everett
Boy, 4, survives fall from Everett fourth-story apartment window

The child was being treated at Seattle Children’s. The city has a limited supply of window stops for low-income residents.

People head out to the water at low tide during an unseasonably warm day on Saturday, March 16, 2024, at Lighthouse Park in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett shatters record high temperature by 11 degrees

On Saturday, it hit 73 degrees, breaking the previous record of 62 set in 2007.

Snohomish County Fire District #4 and Snohomish Regional Fire & Rescue respond to a motor vehicle collision for a car and pole. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene, near Triangle Bait & Tackle in Snohomish. (Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office)
Police: Troopers tried to stop driver before deadly crash in Snohomish

The man, 31, was driving at “a high rate of speed” when he crashed into a traffic light pole and died, investigators said.

Alan Dean, who is accused of the 1993 strangulation murder of 15-year-old Bothell girl Melissa Lee, appears in court during opening statements of his trial on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
31 years later, trial opens in Bothell teen’s brutal killing

In April 1993, Melissa Lee’s body was found below Edgewater Creek Bridge. It would take 27 years to arrest Alan Dean in her death.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Man dies after crashing into pole in Snohomish

Just before 1 a.m., the driver crashed into a traffic light pole at the intersection of 2nd Street and Maple Avenue.

Bodies of two men recovered after falling into Eagle Falls near Index

Two men fell into the falls and did not resurface Saturday, authorities said. After a recovery effort, two bodies were found.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.