Thousands of Washington sophomores and juniors took the math WASL this week knowing lawmakers could lower the stakes of the exam.
Both the state House and Senate have agreed to delay the Washington Assessment of Student Learning math test as a graduation requirement and are now trying to decide on how long.
The message from schools is simple: Don’t roll the dice on a legislative bailout.
School leaders are worried some students will blow off the math WASL if it doesn’t count toward their diploma.
Gov. Chris Gregoire said that would be a mistake, even assuming a delay is eventually approved.
“If they pass it, they’re in great shape,” she said. “If they fail, they have to get involved in remediation and a rigorous set of math courses.
“So they’re not off the hook,” Gregoire said. “It is not a free ride if you fail the WASL.”
Passing the math WASL might seem less important to students, but the test results remain a priority for schools that could face federal sanctions under federal No Child Left Behind law if they don’t improve.
“It’s a really tough battle to fight to really get people to stay the course,” said Greg Schwab, principal at Mountlake Terrace High School.
Schwab worries most about juniors who have been taking an extra math class this year to help them pass a WASL retake.
“My fear is these kids are going to let up on the gas pedal,” he said.
Snohomish County school superintendents asked the state to consider a delay last fall.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
