Debate over Washington’s high school exit exam dominated WSSDA’s Legislative Assembly again this year, with a majority of delegates rejecting a proposal to remove the Washington Assessment of Student Learning as a graduation requirement.
The Assembly also made it clear that school board members should not be treated any different than other elected officials when it comes to mandatory training.
These and scores of other issues were on the agenda as school directors met in Yakima Sept. 21-22 for the WSSDA Legislative Assembly. The Assembly convenes once a year to adopt association positions on legislative issues for the coming session. Proposed positions are submitted by school boards from around the state and by the WSSDA Legislative Committee.
As in the past few years, the Assembly’s most vigorous debate centered on the state’s use of the WASL as a high school graduation requirement. To receive a diploma, high school students must now pass the reading and writing portions of the 10th-grade WASL and meet other state and district graduation requirements. Passage of the math and science sections of the WASL will be added as a requirement in 2013.
A majority of delegates turned down three proposals to modify the use of the WASL for high school graduation, including a call to eliminate the requirement altogether. Also rejected were proposals to use end-of-course assessments in place of the math and science WASLs, and to allow districts to grant a separate certificate to students who have met all graduation requirements except WASL passage.
Reaffirming its support for Washington’s academic standards, the Assembly said the state should maintain its requirement that students earn a "proficient" score to pass the 10th-grade WASL. Delegates also emphasized the need for alternative assessments and adequate resources to promote student success.
The Assembly also weighed in on an issue that will likely surface in the next legislative session — mandatory training for school board members. While underscoring WSSDA’s support for school director training, the Assembly made it clear that school board members should not singled out with a requirement that does not apply to other elected officials.
The position adopted by the Assembly states that WSSDA will oppose mandatory training for school directors that goes "beyond the training standard applied to all elected officials in Washington state."
During the discussion, WSSDA President Cindy McMullen (Central Valley) noted that the WSSDA Board of Directors will consider a voluntary system of professional certification for school directors and their boards as it develops the association’s strategic plan for 2008-11.
The Assembly approved a total of 54 legislative proposals and reaffirmed 38 standing legislative positions. The proposals and positions, which will guide WSSDA’s advocacy efforts in the 2008 legislative session, address issues such as eliminating unfunded mandates, defining and funding basic education, retaining school board control in a state accountability system, and fully funding special education, transportation and technology programs.
Delegates concluded the assembly with an advisory vote on which of WSSDA’s positions and proposals should be given the highest priority when the Legislature meets next year. The results (which will be posted on the WSSDA Web 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 2008 legislative package at its November meeting in Seattle.
