Congratulations to Jennifer Foster and Ryland Penta (“Students take WASL to task,” Feb. 19). I’m glad the opposition to the Washington Assessment of Student Learning is getting some attention. It’s only going to get stronger as parents realize the WASL is a “test and punish” system and is of no benefit to their child. Real learning and high standards can and should be achieved without spending millions on a test. I urge parents to research the cost and scoring of the WASL before their child takes it.
I have never allowed my children to take a WASL test. Opting out just takes a signed note to the principal. Many fill-in-the-blank type opt-out forms are available on-line. Many more students opt out than what’s reported.
On March 15 many of us are going to send our children to school wearing red to show our disapproval of high-stakes tests and the negative impact that No Child Left Behind imposes on our schools. I invite teachers to join in this protest, and remind parents to consider opting out of WASL.
Kathy Storkersen
Edmonds
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