Targeted WASL help successful

MARYSVILLE – It is a small but encouraging sign.

Ten of the 12 Marysville students who completed an online math course from home last summer passed the math WASL retake.

By comparison, 10 others who started but didn’t complete the course failed the retake.

The Marysville School District is looking to expand the online option to a larger group of students. Other districts are calling to find out more, said Cindy Clauson, the district’s director of student achievement.

Just 56 percent of the state’s juniors have passed the 10th-grade Washington Assessment of Student Learning math exam; a passing score is needed for graduation. By comparison, 87 percent have passed the test’s reading portion and 86 percent passed the writing exams.

Statewide, only 25 percent of students attempting a retake of the math WASL last August passed. That includes students who attended summer school and others who just winged it.

Although the math requirement might soon be delayed by the Legislature, there are no guarantees and school districts are scrambling to solve the math problem.

Clauson believes the higher success rate with the online program can be attributed to the ability to meet individual needs.

The district is able to look at a student’s strengths and weaknesses based on that student’s performance on the first 10th-grade WASL exam.

“We matched to each individual,” Clauson said. “We looked at the courses and where they would be able to get the background they need to catch up in the areas they didn’t pass.”

The WASL preparation course is part of the district’s MOVE Up program. MOVE Up stands for Marysville Online Virtual Education.

The district targeted students who were fairly close to passing the math WASL for the four-week summer online class.

Self-motivation is critical to success, Clauson said.

“They needed to be dedicated and persistent,” she said.

The school district was able to use state money earmarked for sophomores who failed the WASL for the online retake course.

It is also looking to expand the option to sophomores preparing for the math WASL. The program would run outside of the school day. The district would pick up $50 and the students’ families $25, which would cover the $75 cost.

The online class is one of several strategies the district is using. Others include preparation in the classroom during the regular school day and after-school tutoring sessions.

Reporter Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446 or stevick@heraldnet.com.