June 17, 2008 in City

Most juniors well on way to WASL goal

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OLYMPIA – About 85 percent of Washington’s high school juniors have already passed the new reading and writing standards they’ll need to achieve to get their diplomas, a slight increase from last year, the state’s top schools official said Monday.

But the Washington Assessment of Student Learning results, released Monday, also suggest that English-language learners continue to struggle to pass the controversial test. Among juniors learning English as a second language, only about 47 percent passed both the reading and writing WASL.

“We have to improve the program resources that high schools have to help these students,” state Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson said. “We’ve got to work smarter.”

She suggested giving new immigrants a later graduation date; better screening in bilingual classes for students who need more help; and more state dollars to support these programs. Schools with small populations of non-English speakers are in particular need of help, she said.

This year’s seniors were the first that had to pass the reading and writing WASL or alternatives in order to graduate. Two weeks ago, Bergeson announced that more than 91 percent of seniors met the standard.

Of this year’s juniors, Bergeson said, “I know they’re going to rise to the challenge, just like this year’s graduating class did.”

Sophomores and juniors still have numerous chances to pass the WASL or an approved alternative, including the August test, but only if they register by the end of June to take those exams.

Last August, fewer than 84 percent of this year’s seniors were passing, according to Chris Barron, a spokesman at Bergeson’s office.

The WASL test has drawn fire from many teachers, education advocates and some lawmakers, who say that the series of tests, starting in third grade, take up too much time and money. They also say that the emphasis on testing has squeezed out other important learning.

Bergeson, business groups and other advocates of the test have argued that it brings critical accountability to an educational system that needs to show taxpayers it’s working well. Bergeson also argues that the tests show a diploma is meaningful.

“The Class of 2008 is well-prepared and has the skills to take that next step in life,” she said Monday. “Now we want to keep that momentum going.”

The class of 2010 is also making progress toward meeting the WASL requirements. About 75 percent of this year’s sophomores have passed both the reading and writing tests, and nearly 47 percent have also passed the math WASL. Passing the math test is not yet a graduation requirement, although students who don’t are required to continue taking math classes prior to graduation.

Bergeson said the state needs to put more resources into keeping students in school, but she doesn’t think the WASL has been a factor in dropout rates.

Some districts are having success with new student tracking programs, and Bergeson says she is looking for state money to scale up these programs to help kids in every district.

At least 25 percent of every graduating class doesn’t make it to the end of their senior year. Bergeson thinks a graduation specialist at every high school could make a big difference for these students, but school districts shouldn’t be expected to pay for this new staff member themselves.

“It’s a moral imperative that we help these children,” she said.

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