Funds for WASL proposed

OLYMPIA – School districts would get about $40 million to help high school students meet tougher graduation standards under a plan announced Wednesday by Gov. Christine Gregoire.

Gregoire’s proposal, unveiled during a visit with Lynnwood High School sophomores, is aimed at helping schools guide struggling students through the Washington Assessment of Student Learning.

The statewide test – commonly called the WASL – has been administered for several years, but this year’s sophomores – members of the class of 2008 – are the first who must pass all three main sections to graduate.

Only 46.9 percent of last year’s 10th-graders performed that well, raising alarms with parents and educators. In a statement, Gregoire said higher standards demand more help for students who fall short.

“I want all our kids to have an equal shot at a better life, and I know their parents do, too. I’m not willing to give up on one high school student,” she said.

Starting in July, Gregoire would spend $38.5 million to help students who have failed at least one of the 10th-grade WASL exams in reading, writing and math.

Students who fail all or part of the test have several opportunities to retake it.

Officials would rely on a formula that would send more money to districts with lower test scores.

Each school district could decide how to spend its share of the money, but it would be required to report its results. Summer school, weekend classes or tutoring are among the options offered for improving WASL scores.

Districts that develop innovative ways of improving test scores also could be rewarded with extra money, Gregoire said.

“Different students learn at a different pace – and we must acknowledge that – but we must maintain a high standard of learning for all our students,” she said.

The approach differs from a $42 million summer school program favored by state school Superintendent Terry Bergeson, who nonetheless praised the governor’s plan.

Gregoire’s focus on maintaining high graduation standards is important, Bergeson said, because it tells legislators the WASL should not be compromised.

“It sends exactly the right signal,” Bergeson said. “That takes away all the kind of, ‘Oh, Lord, we can’t do this.’ Well, let’s see if we can do it.”

Math scores on the WASL have improved in recent years but remain low overall – Bergeson calls the subject “our Achilles’ heel.”

Gregoire’s plan devotes $3.4 million to a new system for teaching math that helps students focus on individual concepts one at a time.

The program also would allow students to substitute a portfolio of work samples or several “mini-WASLs” to graduate, instead of the current single math exam.

The governor’s plan also:

“ Sets aside about $3 million to modernize systems for tracking and monitoring student data.

“ Spends $100,000 to help students overcome language barriers that may affect WASL scores.

“ Distributes math tutoring materials over the Internet, allowing students to practice with parents or tutors.

“ Helps schools guide high school students into jobs after graduation, particularly in building trades and crafts.