High schools worry that juniors who have yet to pass the WASL will ignore a deadline to sign up for spring retakes.
State leaders are proposing to delay the requirement that students pass the Washington Assessment of Student Learning math test to earn a diploma.
But it’s far from a done deal.
“If I were a kid, I wouldn’t gamble on it going away,” said Allen Sharples, curriculum coordinator for the Lakewood School District.
Registration started last week for freshmen seeking to take the 10th-grade WASL a year early, juniors needing to retake portions they’ve failed and seniors simply looking to improve their scores.
The deadline is Feb. 9. Testing starts in March.
Sophomores who have yet to pass all or part of the WASL are automatically registered.
Math poses the biggest hurdle for teenagers trying to meet the WASL graduation requirement, which also requires passing scores in reading and writing.
Nearly 60 percent of the class of 2008 has yet to pass the math test.
Gov. Chris Gregoire and state superintendent of public instruction Terry Bergeson are asking lawmakers to promote a proposal made earlier by Snohomish County school superintendents.
The idea is to delay the math requirement for three years, but require students who fail the test to take math classes through their senior year.
At Kamiak High School, teachers have heard from students who expect the math requirement to be nixed.
Principal Keith Rittel is trying to dispel that mindset.
“The recent comments by Gov. Gregoire and Superintendent Bergeson are hopes, wishes, requests, concerns, possible options,” he said. “They are neither policy nor law. Until or unless the legislators change course, our students need to plan to pass the WASL in order to graduate.”
Students have five chances to pass each of the WASL tests.
Some juniors are looking at their third attempt after failing their first retake last August.
Alona Personius, 16, spent several mornings of her summer vacation in a classroom at Lake Stevens High School to prepare for the August math test, but fell short a second time.
Personius felt the class boosted her confidence but not enough of her math skills.
She plans to ask her counselor about an after-school prep class and a CD of state-provided practice questions the school is supplying. The softball player also plans to shift her attitude.
“I took it seriously, but I think I’m going to take it more seriously – like a sport I play,” she said.
Personius took geometry as a sophomore, which is considered key to passing the WASL. But she’s not in a math class this year.
She’s not the only one, and it’s a pattern that concerns educators.
Arlington High School is strongly considering adding a WASL math preparation class in the second semester, said Warren Hopkins, the district’s deputy superintendent.
One target: More than 30 juniors who are not enrolled in math, even though they’ve failed the WASL math test at least once. That’s about one-sixth of all juniors in the district who have yet to pass the test.
For now, high schools across Snohomish County are offering classes before, during and after school to help students brush up.
On Monday, Kamiak started a four-day-a-week after-school WASL prep class for about 30 students retaking portions of the state exams.
Everett High School has offered an after-school WASL prep class since December and is now encouraging more students to drop in for help.
Meanwhile, after nearly 500 freshmen across Snohomish County last year found success on the WASL, hundreds more are expected to try their hand at the test a year early this spring.
The Everett School District had the most freshmen participate last year of any district in the state and hopes to see more teens take the WASL a year early this spring.
Superintendent Carol Whitehead will record a phone message that will be delivered to the homes of the district’s 1,700 freshmen, encouraging them to consider signing up.
Personalized letters were sent this week to freshmen, as well as juniors, letting them know how to register for the tests.
“We know there are a number of ninth-graders who are ready to take it, so we’re encouraging them to do that and get it out of the way,” said Mary Waggoner, a spokeswoman for the district.
“Certainly we don’t want people to do just a shot in the dark. … It’s something they should talk over with their parents, teacher and counselor and make an informed decision about.”
How to register for the WASL
To register for the WASL tests, freshmen, juniors and seniors can go to www.k12.wa.us/waslregistration, or call 866-400-WASL toll-free between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Sophomores are automatically registered and do not have to do anything.
Important dates
Now through Feb. 9: Registration for spring WASL tests (freshmen, juniors and seniors only).
March 13-20: High school reading and writing tests.
April 16-May 4: Elementary and middle school WASL testing.
April 17-20: High school WASL math and science tests.
By June 10: Statewide high school WASL reading, writing and math scores released.
By June 14: WASL reading, writing and math score reports distributed to families for grades 10, 11 and 12. Ninth-graders receive WASL scores in September.
June 8-July 8: Registration for August high school WASL retakes.
Aug. 6-9: Tentative dates for August high school WASL testing.
Reporter Melissa Slager: 425-339-3465 or mslager@heraldnet.com.
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