Must-pass situation
University High School sophomore Emily Potter knows the WASL is a big deal.
But like “the back of my hand,” the 16-year-old Central Valley student weaved her way this week through four days of reading and writing on the high stakes state test, also known as the Washington Assessment of Student Learning.
“We’ve been doing it since the fourth grade, so it’s not that stressful for most of us,” Potter said. “It’s just something we know we have to do. I know that I have to pass this thing if I want to get out of here.”
After much fanfare, thousands of students dug into the reading and writing portions of Washington’s WASL on Monday, with the last day of testing today.
And it’s not over.
Starting on April 17, students will take the math and science portions of the test over four days, although only math will count.
This year’s class of 10th-graders is the first required to pass the controversial exam to graduate from high school, and many like Potter understand the consequences.
Spokane Public Schools officials said only four students had refused to take the WASL, out of 2,200 10th-graders in the district’s six high schools. Parents still have the option of pulling their kids out of the exam, but they won’t graduate if they don’t take it.
“We all know what is riding on this one test,” said Amber Wichtendahl, 16, a Lewis and Clark High School student. “It’s just kind of one of those things you have to do, and try your best.”
But will their best be good enough?
Only 715 out of 2,500 Spokane Public Schools students now taking the test as sophomores passed all three portions – reading, writing and math – as seventh-graders, said Joe Kinney, director of assessment and program evaluation for Spokane.
According to data provided by the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, only 48 percent of sophomores passed the math portions of the test when it was given in 2005. That means that if last year’s class was required to pass, more than half of the state’s high school students faced the possibility of no diploma.
Only 65 percent of students statewide passed the writing portion, and 73 percent passed reading.
Still, student anxiety levels seem low.
“I was a little nervous at first, but I feel pretty confident now” said University High student Tara Stauffer, 16. “And I know you get a chance to redo it; I think there is a way you are going to be able to graduate high school, even if you don’t pass now.”
In fact, the state gives students an additional four chances to pass the sections, after the initial test. Some freshman students have even opted to take it this year, to get it out of the way a year early. About 44 Spokane freshmen took the test. In the Central Valley School District, about 47 were signed up between both of the district’s high schools, said Melanie Rose, district spokeswoman.
Changes in the way the test is being administered this year, including giving two portions of the test a month earlier than last year, have helped ease some of the concern about getting students over the bar.
Schools must now report 10th-grade test scores to parents no later than June 14. Early results from this week’s exam, and those administered in April, will be back to the schools by June 8, said Nancy Stowell, assistant superintendent for teaching and learning for Spokane. Elementary students will take the test over a two-week period starting April 17, but results won’t be back until fall.
Students who took the exam this spring and did not pass can enroll in a remedial WASL summer school program, which likely will start in July – depending on the school district – followed by WASL retakes in August.
“Pretty much if we know it we’ve got to show it,” said Jake Buelow, 15. “This is what our high school career comes down to. That’s the message they’ve given us.”