Terry Bergeson, state superintendent of public instruction, rolled out preliminary Washington Assessment of Student Learning results Friday to a chorus of catcalls and hurrahs. These early returns look pretty good to me, undercutting the arguments of the premature capitulators who want to scrap the test — or so water it down that it may as well be scrapped.

In case you missed it, here are the critical numbers for next year’s seniors: Nine out of 10 students have met or exceeded the standards for reading and writing. And six of 10 have passed the math standard, which doesn’t really matter to them now that it’s been postponed. These numbers apply to the entire class, including those who’ve not taken the test. Excluding them, more than 95 percent of test-takers have passed reading and writing and 75 percent have passed math.

The final numbers may change some and don’t include about 6,100 students who, while in their third year in high school, haven’t qualified for junior status. Dropouts also weren’t counted, but it’s not clear why anyone thinks they should be.

The state’s largest teachers union reacted grumpily, saying the scores show “fundamental problems” with the test and reflect Bergeson’s “misdirected priorities.” The Washington Education Association acts like the class slacker with respect to the WASL. “The test’s too hard,” they say. “We don’t get enough help.” Every excuse except “the dog ate my homework” gets trotted out to scuttle state efforts at academic accountability. Further, their attacks on Bergeson – a former WEA president in her third SPI term — look like 2008 electoral politics rather than serious policy arguments.

How all this finger-pointing helps the classroom teacher, I don’t know, but it’s passing strange to read reports of union president Charles Hasse accusing Bergeson’s office of inflating the results “to portray an unacceptable situation in the best possible light.” Maybe it’s just me, but it looks like he missed an opportunity to congratulate state teachers on their performance.

Sure, math scores are low. We knew they’d be low. Back in December, Bergeson and Gov. Chris Gregoire said the math curriculum needed a major overhaul and recommended that the Legislature delay the math graduation requirement three years, until 2011. Lawmakers saw their three and raised them two. Now, the math scores won’t bite until 2013, if ever. Any test that threatens a student’s walk across the stage will panic some legislators who fear they might someday find themselves trapped in the Safeway checkout line with disappointed and angry parents. Some delay may have been appropriate; the five-year time-out is excessive.

Despite having enjoyed considerable success persuading legislators to allow WASL alternatives, the union persists in its objections to “high-stakes” testing. And they’re alarmed that some students may be “denied” a high school diploma because they fail to demonstrate WASL proficiency. Well, students have options, including multiple test re-takes, appeals, and alternative assessments, such as scores on college-entrance exams. And the argument that the WASL results in students being “denied” a diploma entails more than a little rhetorical mischief. As OSPI spokesman Thomas Shapley says, “How often do you hear of a student being ‘denied a diploma’ because he or she failed his or her classes or didn’t accumulate enough credits to graduate?”

Precisely: Diplomas are meant to be a certificate of accomplishment, not birthday cards. Last week’s announcement demonstrates that if we continue the commitment, we will see more students earning high school diplomas that mean something.

The state’s schools have to equip our students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life, whether their next steps take them to college, vocational school, the military, the workplace or family life. It’s a shared responsibility. The WASL lets us know how well we are doing. Without consistent standards, there is no accountability.

Speaking of accountability, the Washington Research Council celebrated its 75th anniversary last week. (Disclosure: I’m a former WRC president.) The council’s research supporting efficient and accountable government has informed business, civic and political discussions since 1932, a singular achievement in a dynamic world. Al Ralston, a Boeing public affairs executive and former WRC Board chairman, will become the council’s president in August. Congratulations!