EVERETT — This year’s high school sophomores and freshmen have to pass one state math test instead of two for graduation in 2013 and 2014.

Under a bill signed Monday by Gov. Chris Gregoire, freshmen and sophomores are required to take an end-of-course test for either algebra or geometry. Both courses are required for graduation, but only one state test is necessary for the classes of 2013 and 2014.

The new law is effective immediately, and the decision could not come soon enough, said Jen Green, a math teacher at Cascade High School in Everett.

“The Legislature and the governor just needed to make a decision. The kids could have handled it either way, but we just needed to know if it was going to be one test or both,” Green said. “It was frustrating not being able to give students and parents an answer on the requirement.”

Though the governor signed it, Gregoire made it clear that she doesn’t like the bill because she believes reducing math requirements for high school graduation shortchanges students.

“Lower math standards won’t help students succeed in college or compete in the increasingly competitive knowledge economy,” said governor’s office spokesman Scott Whiteaker. “Then why did she sign it? It is clear that the adults are not ready for this requirement.”

In a press release from state school Superintendent Randy Dorn, the bill was hailed as a win for fairness.

“In a tough legislative year, this is one law that directly impacts the lives of students in a positive manner,” Dorn said. “I’m pleased that state legislators and the governor did the right thing for students. And I’ve always said, end-of-course should mean end-of-course – not a test a year later. This is a big win for students.”

With passage of just one end-of-course math exam instead of two required, Dorn said, the testing process can be better aligned in the transition from the comprehensive high school proficiency math exam to two end-of-course exams, one in algebra 1 and one in geometry. The state proficiency exam in math went to the wayside in favor of more traditional end-of-the-course final examinations in algebra 1 and geometry.

Most 10th grade students are studying geometry this year and will take the state geometry exam in late May or early June. Under the previous legislation, they also would have been required to take an algebra 1 exam, a year after taking the course.

This year’s middle school students, the class of 2015 and beyond, will be the first required to pass two state end-of-course exams. Most of those students will take algebra 1 exam in 9th grade, in the same year they studied algebra.

“And we will do our very best with this form of testing until the next time the Legislature changes its mind about state testing,” Green said.

Students in the classes of 2011 and 2012, the juniors and seniors, are not affected by the legislation signed Monday. Those students can still pass one state math exam or earn two credits of math after 10th grade to meet the math graduation requirement.

To learn more, go to www.WAtesting.com for information on state testing and www.k12.wa.us/Resources for graduation requirement handouts and materials and the math end-of-course exam page at www.k12.wa.us/GraduationRequirements/MathEnd-of-CourseExams.aspx.