Stand up against it as others have done

I would like to comment on the student who felt pressure to take the WASL because she felt her scores would be viewed by colleges and future employers (“WASL: It’s not fair, but better take it anyway,” June 9).

She should know that it is our state’s superintendent, Terry Bergeson (a.k.a. “Mother of the WASL”) who is pushing for the University of Washington to consider WASL scores for scholarships. Remember, only a fraction of college applicants will have WASL scores since out-of-state and private schools don’t take the WASL. Colleges will still look at transcripts and SAT scores; and I don’t know a single employer who has asked to see WASL scores.

When she is ready to stand up for what she believes in, perhaps people like Annelise Schantz, Jim Bougas and Donald Perl (from other states) will inspire her. You can read more about them on the Internet. Schantz really “socked it to” her governor and superintendent when she delivered her valedictorian speech against such tests. The teachers, Bougas and Perl, refused to administer their state’s equivalent to the WASL.

As a parent of younger children, I will stand up against “high stakes” testing and continue to boycott WASL.

Phyllis Clarke

Arlington