Scores of seniors across Washington will find out today if they passed the state’s most controversial graduation requirement: the WASL.
The Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction is scheduled to give every school lists with the names of which seniors passed, and which failed, the reading and writing portions of the test or an approved alternative, such as a portfolio of work or SAT scores.
Diplomas hang in the balance.
The class of 2008 is the first that needs to pass the reading and writing portions of the WASL to earn diplomas.
Known to OSPI insiders as “the yes/no file,” the list dictates whether or not dozens of Snohomish County students will graduate. Though earning enough credits is still the biggest barrier between seniors and diplomas, many schools have a few students who have the required credits, but lack passing WASL scores.
The list will determine whether seven of Lake Stevens High School’s 480 seniors will be able to graduate with their classmates on June 7, spokeswoman Arlene Hulten said.
“We, like everybody else, are waiting to get those results — and we’re hoping they’ll be positive results for all seven of our students,” she said.
Most of the seven took the WASL and finished other alternatives to better their chances of success.
Around 30 of the expected 1,300 graduating seniors in the Edmonds School District are waiting on the list to find out if they’ll graduate on time.
Counselors, administrators and teachers have been working extra hard this year to help students understand and meet the new graduation requirements, spokeswoman Jennifer Aaby said.
“This time of year is always very busy as high schools are finalizing their lists of graduates,” she said. “This WASL requirement is really just one piece of the pie.”
Reporter Kaitlin Manry: 425-339-3292 or kmanry@heraldnet.com.
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