Concerned that schools and students are not adequately prepared, WSSDA’s Legislative Assembly has voted to ask the Legislature to postpone
using the math and science sections of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning as a high school graduation requirement.
At the same time, the assembly turned down a call to completely remove the WASL as prerequisite to earning a high school diploma.
Beginning with the class of 2008, students must pass the reading, writing and math sections of the 10th-grade WASL to earn a Certificate of Academic Achievement, with science to be added as a requirement in 2010. The CAA is one of four state requirements for high school graduation.
Assembly delegates convened in Pasco against a backdrop of recently released WASL scores showing gains in reading and writing, but persistent problems in math. While scores rose nearly four percent in 10th-grade math, only half those taking the test receiving a passing score. In comparison, passage levels reached 82 percent in reading and 79 percent in writing.
Under the proposal adopted by the assembly, passage of the reading and writing portions of the WASL would remain as a graduation requirement for the class of 2008 and beyond. The math WASL, however, would not start as a graduation requirement until the class of 2011, and science would begin with the class of 2014.
The proposal, endorsed by the WSSDA Legislative Committee, was submitted by the Yakima School District.
"In crafting this proposal, we attempted to maintain a commitment to high standards but also allow the system to catch up, " said Yakima School Board member Vicky Ybarra, who contended districts need time to put the same kind of effort into math and science that has gone into reading and writing over the past several years. "We know that once a high quality curriculum that meets the standards is put in place, that with teacher training and with students having experience with the curriculum, that about three years after adoption we’re able to see substantial increases in WASL scores."
Longview board member Ted Thomas agreed. "We support high standards and we want to maintain high standards, but this is an issue specific to math. We just have not done the job. Our board needs a couple more years to implement this and we’re just now making the curriculum changes to make this happen."
Opponents argued that delaying the math and science requirements would take needed pressure away from the Legislature and school boards.
"I don’t want to take the Legislature off the hook," said Bellevue board member Peter Bentley. "I want them to feel the pressure. I want them to hear from parents that the math portion of this assessment is flawed with so many people failing. We need this for accountability."
Bentley and others also said it would be premature to postpone the requirements without seeing the results of WASL retakes and alternative assessments.
"Next year, after we’ve seen what the alternative assessments look like, and after we’ve seen what happens with the retakes, and what the Legislature did or did not do, and how Washington Learns fits into all that, then will be a better time" to evaluate a phase-in, said Mercer Island board member Pat Braman.
Using WSSDA’s revised "weighted" voting structure, the assembly approved the phase-in proposal on a vote of 167-113.
Delegates were unwilling, however, to remove the WASL as a graduation requirement. Two proposals to "disconnect" the WASL as a graduation requirement were defeated by substantial margins.
Delegates did adopt three other positions regarding the WASL. The assembly went on record opposing a reduction in the level of performance needed to pass the 10th-grade WASL from "proficient" to "basic." Also adopted was a proposal that would exempt English language learners from taking the WASL until they have passed an English language proficiency assessment approved by OSPI, and position reaffirming WSSDA’s support for the development and implementation of alternative assessments for the WASL.
The assembly approved a total of 43 legislative proposals and reaffirmed the association’s 39 standing legislative positions. The proposals and positions, which will guide WSSDA’s advocacy efforts in the 2007 legislative session, address issues such as unfunded mandates, simple majority for school finance issues, defining basic education, providing for all-day kindergarten, and fully funding special education and transportation programs.
Delegates concluded the assembly by recommending which of WSSDA’s positions and proposals should be given the highest priority when the Legislature meets next year. The results (to be posted on this site once they are compiled) will be used by the WSSDA Legislative Committee to formulate recommendations to the WSSDA Board of Directors, which in turn will adopt the association’s 2007 legislative package at its November meeting in Spokane.
