Yes, Virginia, there will still be a WASL
The recent election of Randy Dorn, who built his campaign around getting rid of the WASL, as the state Superintendent for Public Instruction has some folks (well, mostly kids) asking: Will there be a WASL in spring 2009?
The short answer: Yes.
“Our students will be taking the WASL for the foreseeable future,” said Greg Lynch, superintendent for the Central Kitsap School District.
Lynch and other local educators explained that no matter what OSPI wants to do to change testing in Washington schools, the federal No Child Left Behind law still requires yearly assessments. There is no feasible way to change the test before the upcoming spring 2009 assessment period – and maybe even beyond that timeline.
For a little information on what Dorn proposes, check out his position on the WASL at http://www.randydorn2008.com/default.aspx?ID=21.
Take note, however, that the state Legislature, the Washington State Board of Education and Governor Gregoire must agree to change the WASL too. It’s not just up to Dorn.
Sorry kids.
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Tags: election, randy dorn
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
November 15th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Standardized testing shouldn’t go away. But this obesssion with the WASL should. We are making tremendous forward progress in K-12 education because we are paying more attention to data and using that data to improve instruction to students (individually and collectively) and professional support for teachers (individually and collectively). But the WASL (especially the math WASL) was supposed to be used to evaluate progress, not become the curriculum. That fact got lost and that frustration is the biggest factor in what lost Terri Bergeson her job in my opinion.
For graduation standards, my preference for evaluating our schools and students on the academic quality of the end product is the SAT. Have students take it in the 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades in the early part of the year. It takes about 4-5 hours to administer. So, that is 25 hours over four years and $180 per student ($45 is the current SAT exam cost). Of course, the schools will pay for the testing, but it will be far less time and expense than we currently spend on administering the secondary WASL tests today. Every student takes the test. If they don’t make it on the day it is administered at school, they can make it up according to the SAT calendar and availability.
It provides students (and their parents and teachers) the TIMELY information they need to request adjustment to their coursework if they need to make ground on deficiencies before the next test and it provides the schools the real evidence and information they need on individual and collective student academic growth so that the schools can adjust and improve accordingly.
For students, their highest score on each section will be used to determine two things… First, whether they will earn a high school diploma. There has to be something besides “seat time” that earns a diploma. Establishing a “cut score” on the SAT has already been done. Students can already use the SAT as a replacement for the WASL requirement.
Second, their highest scores will also determine what level of financial aid they will be offered to continue their education beyond high school. Incentive for both students and their parents!
My thoughts.
Randy Dorn got my vote because I felt we have been let down by the incumbent in her last term. We need a stronger advocate for K-12 education at OSPI. I thank Dr. Bergeson for her efforts. My vote was not one of dislike for Dr. Bergeson. My vote was for retooling and refocus.
Regards,
Kathryn Simpson