I understand letter writer Kathy Wilson’s concern (“WASL requirements: It’s a flawed test and should be tossed,” Nov. 24). I have a daughter who is in honors classes, pulls down As in every subject and passed the ITBS with a 97 percent score in math. She did not make WASL grade in math.
The WASL is what will determine if she graduates, apparently whether or not she has a grasp of the subject.
When I cornered her teacher on how this could possibly happen, I was made aware of the following:
1. ITBS scores are machine graded because the test is computation based.
2. The “new math” is based on writing the answers essay style. The WASL is then graded by people, not machines. To me, this leaves a whole lot of subjectivity in the test. It puzzles me that a kid who obviously knows how to compute math can fail a state exam. The only answer I can see is that the form of the test is where the problem is.
3. I wholeheartedly approve of some sort of testing to make sure kids understand the subjects they are being taught. Unfortunately, I see less and less emphasis on actually learning the subject than I do on being able to show good test scores. It is entirely possible to create a teaching program that tells kids how to pass the test without actually learning anything. (There are professionals who make a lot of money doing this very thing for certification exams of all kinds.)
Amen to Kathy Wilson. The WASL should not be the tool used to gauge whether my child has “mastery” of a subject when every indication I can see is that it is subjective and does not actually test for “mastery” of a complete subject.
Snohomish
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
