Thousands taking classes below WASL math level

  • By Melissa Slager and Eric Stevick / Herald Writer
  • Wednesday, November 29, 2006 9:00pm
  • Local NewsLocal news

About one in four Snohomish County high school sophomores likely won’t be ready for state math tests next spring, if course schedules are any indication.

Sophomores are generally expected to take geometry, considered key to passing the 10th-grade Washington Assessment of Student Learning math test.

But nearly 2,200 of the 8,200 sophomores across the county, including Bothell, are in classes focused on lower skills, such as introductory algebra. (Stanwood-Camano School District is not included because its current numbers were not available.)

Edmonds-Woodway High School Principal Alan Weiss worries about students who are behind as they come in the door.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“We have to take them where they are,” he said. “That’s the problem when you are Custer’s last stand. You are their last hope.

“What we are hoping to do is pull them up by the bootstraps and fill in a lot of blanks.”

Throughout the county, 73 percent are in classes that include geometry or higher-level courses, such as calculus. Still, that’s unlikely to translate into equally high passing rates on the WASL.

Statewide, just 51 percent of sophomores passed the 2006 math test on the first try.

On Monday, Gov. Chris Gregoire and state Superintendent Terry Bergeson said they would ask the Legislature to delay the WASL math requirement to 2011, saying the school system has not adequately prepared thousands of teenagers.

Students graduating in 2008, 2009 and 2010 who are unable to pass the test could meet the requirement by taking math classes through their senior year.

In the meantime, the state is taking a close look at how it teaches math.

The state Board of Education this week took public comments about a statewide plan to improve math achievement. One proposal would require students to take and pass geometry.

Educators agree geometry is key to passing the WASL.

At Stanwood High School last year, 62 percent of students in a geometry class passed the math WASL, compared with just 8 percent of those in algebra.

“We used to talk about algebra being the gatekeeper,” said Terry Edwards, curriculum and assessment director for the Everett School District. “Algebra is not enough for this test. … If a kid has not completed geometry, they have about an 80 percent chance of not passing the WASL.”

Just because students are in a geometry class doesn’t mean they are mastering the skills.

A look at past test scores at Lake Stevens High School also shows some students are forgetting algebra lessons from their freshman year, said Arlene Hulten, a district spokeswoman.

Lake Stevens High School geometry teachers now will include an algebra refresher close to WASL time.

In the Arlington School District, 95 percent of sophomores a year ahead in math passed last spring’s WASL, compared with 59 percent who were at grade level and 14 percent who were a year behind.

“Obviously, there is not a simple fix to it,” said Warren Hopkins, Arlington’s deputy superintendent.

Hopkins points to encouraging signs based on the results of a monthlong summer school class that helped teenagers who failed the spring math test prepare for the August retake. Half of the 39 students passed the second time, while 11 were just points shy.

Schools also note that they are making changes in earlier grades, such as middle school, that should pay off as those students reach 10th grade.

A Marysville School District report concludes that schools must improve teaching materials, instruction, and learning standards and expectations.

“We believe the three areas need to all be worked on simultaneously for significant change,” the report said.

For students who are the furthest behind in the math skills needed to pass, there is no quick fix, said Fran Mester, assistant superintendent in the Monroe School District.

Monroe High School is giving struggling students extra help – though they likely will have to retake the exam, perhaps multiple times.

What’s important is that they are learning math as they go along, Mester said.

“Our agenda is to lock their math skills in really well and not try to jump-start them and still leave gaps and holes in skills behind,” she said.

Reporter Melissa Slager: 425-339-3465 or mslager@ heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Students from Explorer Middle School gather Wednesday around a makeshift memorial for Emiliano “Emi” Munoz, who died Monday, May 5, after an electric bicycle accident in south Everett. (Aspen Anderson / The Herald)
Community and classmates mourn death of 13-year-old in bicycle accident

Emiliano “Emi” Munoz died from his injuries three days after colliding with a braided cable.

Danny Burgess, left, and Sandy Weakland, right, carefully pull out benthic organisms from sediment samples on Thursday, May 1, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Got Mud?’ Researchers monitor the health of the Puget Sound

For the next few weeks, the state’s marine monitoring team will collect sediment and organism samples across Puget Sound

Everett postal workers gather for a portrait to advertise the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive on Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County letter carriers prepare for food drive this Saturday

The largest single-day food drive in the country comes at an uncertain time for federal food bank funding.

Everett
Everett considers ordinance to require more apprentice labor

It would require apprentices to work 15% of the total labor hours for construction or renovation on most city projects over $1 million.

Snohomish County prosecutor Kara Van Slyck delivers closing statement during the trial of Christian Sayre at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Thursday, May 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jury deliberations begin in the fourth trial of former Everett bar owner

Jury members deliberated for about 2 hours before Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Millie Judge sent them home until Monday.

Christian Sayre sits in the courtroom before the start of jury selection on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Christian Sayre timeline

FEBRUARY 2020 A woman reports a sexual assault by Sayre. Her sexual… Continue reading

City of Everett Engineer Tom Hood, left, and City of Everett Engineer and Project Manager Dan Enrico, right, talks about the current Edgewater Bridge demolition on Friday, May 9, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
How do you get rid of a bridge? Everett engineers can explain.

Workers began dismantling the old Edgewater Bridge on May 2. The process could take one to two months, city engineers said.

Christian Sayre walks out of the courtroom in handcuffs after being found guilty on two counts of indecent liberties at the end of his trial at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Former bar owner convicted on two of three counts of sexual abuse

A jury deliberated for about 8 hours before returning guilty verdicts on two charges of indecent liberties Monday.

From left: Patrick Murphy, Shawn Carey and Justin Irish.
Northshore school board chooses 3 finalists in superintendent search

Shaun Carey, Justin Irish and Patrick Murphy currently serve as superintendents at Washington state school districts.

Paine Field Community Day returns Saturday, May 17

The youth-focused celebration will feature aircraft displays, talks with pilots and a variety of local food vendors.

FILE — Jet fuselages at Boeing’s fabrication site in Everett, Wash., Sept. 28, 2022. Some recently manufactured Boeing and Airbus jets have components made from titanium that was sold using fake documentation verifying the material’s authenticity, according to a supplier for the plane makers. (Jovelle Tamayo/The New York Times)
Boeing adding new space in Everett despite worker reduction

Boeing is expanding the amount of space it occupies in… Continue reading

Kyle Parker paddles his canoe along the Snohomish River next to Langus Riverfront Park on Thursday, May 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tip to Tip: Kyle Parker begins his canoe journey across the country

The 24-year-old canoe fanatic started in Neah Bay and is making his way up the Skykomish River.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.