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Testing & AccountabilityWASL: Q & A
Return to the Class of 2008 WASL main page.
Who must meet standards on the WASL to qualify for a diploma?Beginning with the Class of 2008 (this year’s eleventh graders), students must pass the reading and writing sections of the WASL to qualify for graduation. Beginning with the Class of 2013 (this year’s sixth graders), students must meet standards in reading, writing, math, and science. Students must also complete the required course credits, a culminating project, and a "high school and beyond" plan to earn a diploma. High school students who do not meet standard in math must continue to take the math WASL and math classes. What are the recent legislative changes to the WASL requirements?On Tuesday, May 8, 2007, Governor Christine Gregoire postponed until 2013 the requirement that students pass the math and science portions of the WASL in order to graduate from high school. This is a change from the previous requirement that starting with the class of 2008, students would need to pass the math portion of the WASL and starting with the class of 2010, students would need to pass the science portion of the WASL in order to graduate. Read the news story in the Tacoma News Tribune. When will parents receive WASL scores?Students in Grade 10 who took the tests this spring will receive two sets of WASL results. By June 15, individual student scores for reading, writing, and math will be sent to families. An additional report will be issued to Class of 2009 families in September that includes the results from the science WASL. Only students who attended both days in a content area receive a score in that area. Students who miss a day must retake the test. The next retake opportunity will be in August. What is the minimum score required to pass the tenth-grade WASL reading and writing tests?A score of at least 400 is required to meet standard in reading. This represents achieving approximately 65 percent of the points possible on the test to pass. In writing, a minimum of 17 of 24 possible points is required to pass. These scores or above mean students have met the required standard for proficiency in that particular subject. Although no longer required for graduation, a score of at least 400 meets standard for mathematics. Can parents view their children’s test booklets?Yes, test results can be viewed in September after the final student WASL reports have been released. Parents may obtain the Student Education Record Parent Request form to view the 2007 WASL by:
What other options are there to earn a Certificate of Academic Achievement besides passing the WASL?Beginning in August 2007, students who have taken the WASL once and met attendance and remediation requirements in their student learning plans are eligible to consider the following options:
When can my high school child retake the WASL test?The next retake opportunity will be in August. After that, the next retake opportunity will be during the regular WASL testing times next March and April. Students in special education who took the DAW last spring may retake the test in November 2006, if necessary. What is being done to help students get the skills they need to pass the WASL?The state Legislature has given school districts across the state money for new programs to help students who have not met standard on one or more WASL assessments taken in grade 10 in reading, writing, or math. The “Promoting Academic Success” (PAS) assistance may include, but is not limited to, summer school, Saturday classes, before- or after-school classes, skills seminars, test preparation seminars, and in-school or out-of-school tutoring. The Puyallup School District is also budgeting other revenue this year to offer extended learning opportunities for students in all grades. Teachers and counselors are partnering with families to ensure that students are on track to graduate and prepared for the next steps after high school. What WASL information goes on the transcript?For the Class of 2008 and beyond, the transcript will indicate whether a student has earned a Certificate of Academic Achievement by passing the reading and writing portions of the WASL, or a Certificate of Individual Achievement by passing the Washington Alternate Assessment System (WAAS) or some combination of the WAAS and WASL in those two subjects. The latter is designed for access by some students enrolled in special education who meet specific qualifications. Some of these questions and answers were adapted from a booklet, "Preparing Students for Life and Work, A Guide to the New Graduation Requirements," published by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. To view the booklet in its entirety, visit the OSPI Web site. Return to the Class of 2008 WASL main page. Updated 5/29/07 |
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions to assist families in understanding more about WASL graduation requirements starting with the Class of 2008. 