Yakima Schools Set Tough Standards Fifth-, Eighth-Graders Must Meet Skills, Knowledge, Attendance Standards

Thu., Feb. 20, 1997

Associated Press

Students in the Yakima School District will have to pass their classes if they want to advance with their classmates in two key grades under a strict new policy adopted by the school board.

Currently in the district, and in most districts in the state, parents can override a principal’s decision to hold a student back for failing.

But the Yakima school board voted unanimously Tuesday to hold back fifth- and eighth-graders who do not pass the district’s rather rigorous exit standards.

Middle school in the district begins with the sixth grade; high school begins with ninth grade.

“If we don’t have some sort of policy in place, what is the push to learn for the students who are not self-motivated?” asked board President Richard Spiegel.

The assessments will be tied to the state’s new academic standards, which highlight the knowledge and skills students should achieve by the fourth and seventh grades in math, reading, writing and communication.

The goals and assessments emerged from the state’s Education Reform Act of 1993, which holds districts accountable for their students’ mastery of basic academics but largely leaves it up to them how to achieve that mastery.

“Finally we have some real accountability for students, parents and schools,” board member Joe Falk said.

In addition to attendance, demonstrating specific skills and passing state tests, fifth- and eighth-graders must have passing grades in reading, language arts, math, science and social studies before they are promoted to middle school and high school.

Fifth-graders, for example, must be able to write a two- to three-page essay, complete a personal and business letter, write a three- to four-page research report and deliver a three- to five-minute oral report.

Eighth-graders must be able to write a three- to four-page essay, a two- to three-page opinion paper, a four- to eight-page research report and make a five- to seven-minute oral presentation.

Math and reading assessments for both grade levels will be based on the state’s benchmarks, which were recently completed by the Commission on Student Learning.

Yakima and the Kennewick School District are the only two in the state that have implemented such promotion-retention policies tied to the state’s education goals, said Chris Thompson of the Commission on Student Learning.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.