The state’s schools chief is celebrating the fact that 91.4 percent of seniors have passed the reading and writing portions of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning. Terry Bergeson is rightly proud because the Class of 2008, which is the first to have to meet WASL standards, has shown that students are capable of succeeding when faced with higher goals. That, in turn, means their diplomas are more meaningful to them and potential employers.

Especially impressive is the high pass rate among low-income and minority students that traditionally lagged further behind.

It’s important to note that the Class of 2008 was not required to pass the math portion of the WASL. The Legislature dropped that requirement when it became clear many students would fall short. Indeed, only 72 percent have passed it. But the state has not stood still. Curriculum changes should help future students with math. Plus, students will still have to pass an end-of-course math test.

Speaking of math, the baseline figure for calculating the WASL percentages is controversial and highlights a couple of problems that are bigger than the test itself. The Superintendent for Public Instruction’s Office did not include students who dropped out before making it to their senior year or who were reclassified because they were held back. So while 91.4 percent of seniors passed the reading and writing tests, the class shed about one-quarter of its students between ninth grade and 12th grade.

Last fall a Washington State University study of this class revealed that 31 percent lacked the requisite credits to graduate. That can’t be blamed on the WASL, but it shows that educators and parents have a lot of work to do despite the promising test scores.

The state’s task force on basic education also needs to rise to the occasion, because it faces a December deadline for producing a report on changing the state’s antiquated funding formula.

In a recent meeting with The Spokesman-Review’s editorial board, Bergeson noted that the financial situation of school districts continues to worsen. Six districts are on “financial watch” because they can’t meet payroll. Most of the rest face budget cuts. This funding crisis threatens to undermine progress the state has made with higher standards and increased accountability.

The seniors in the Class of 2008 showed they could step up. Now, it’s up to the adults to make sure that progress can be sustained.

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