Thousands of high school juniors are expected to voluntarily retake state exams this spring, even though it won’t affect their graduation.
The incentive? High school transcripts will include scores from the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, or WASL, beginning in the fall.
Up to 30 percent of juniors are expected to retake at least one of the 10th-grade exams in reading, math, writing or science, said Greg Hall, state assistant superintendent of assessment and research.
The retakes for the class of 2006 are optional. The highest score on each test will be posted; it doesn’t matter if it occurred in the sophomore or junior year.
The class of 2008, this year’s freshmen, will need to pass the WASL reading, math and writing exams to graduate. Earlier this year, the Legislature agreed to allow up to four retakes of any or all WASL exams.
Statewide, 35 percent of last spring’s sophomores didn’t pass the reading and writing exams, 44 percent fell short in math and 32 percent in science.
Even if they pass all subjects, juniors may retake the exams.
It’s tempting to Nicole Gessel, a junior at Henry M. Jackson High School in Mill Creek. Gessel, 16, wants to enter into the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado to become a pilot and possibly an astronaut.
“I’m thinking about retaking math and science because of the college I want to go,” she said.
She is taking pre-calculus and two science courses, which she figures will help her improve her scores.
The retakes were a hot topic at a slumber party Gessel attended this week. The verdict was mixed. Students generally thought it was good for classmates who want to improve, but some worried that parents would force children into retakes they resent, she said.
Few families are aware that juniors will have their WASL scores posted on their transcripts, much less aware of the new retake option, said Terry Edwards, Everett School District executive director of curriculum.
“That’s a way the state is turning the heat up on kids,” Edwards said. “There’s been a general belief by students that ‘this doesn’t really matter and it doesn’t affect me.’ … But there is some reason to do well.”
Families of juniors in Everett high schools will be sent letters about the retake option and the student’s latest scores.
While the state is covering the tab this year, Edwards said it’s uncertain who will pay for future retakes. Should districts handle the costs, Everett likely would pay for students who retake a test because they missed the standards, but charge those who simply try to get a higher score, he said.
Sultan High School is only offering the retake option to juniors who missed the WASL writing standard, principal Bob Shacklett said.
Sultan students for more than a decade have been required to pass a writing test to graduate. In the past, if they missed the WASL standard, they would take a separate writing test until they passed it.
Shacklett said the school has no plans to allow students to retake other portions of the state tests.
“Then we’d have to order separate tests and survey those kids. So, we’re just going to do the writing portion this year to start off,” he said.
Matt Libby, an Arlington High School junior, passed his WASL tests last year and doesn’t plan to retake them.
He does appreciate the option, however.
“If I failed it, I would want to retake it,” he said.
Incentives can go beyond transcripts and personal pride. In recent years, Timberline High School in Thurston County has been part of a state pilot program offering retakes for juniors. With WASL cords at graduation and a seal on the diploma, there have been lots of takers, spokesman Tim McGillivary said.
Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.
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