Sound Politics: Counter-Intuitive Headline of the Week

March 13, 2008

Counter-Intuitive Headline of the Week

In the Edmonds School District, the most recent statistics show there are 1,563 students in the class of 2008. Of those, 47 have a sufficient number of credits to graduate but have not met the state standard in reading and/or writing (of those, more than half are taking the test for the first time). Alternatively, there are more than 400 students not considered on track to graduate because of credit requirements.

Interesting.

Posted by Eric Earling at March 13, 2008 06:34 PM | Email This

Comments

1. OK that's about one of the most mealy-mouthed headlines I've read in, like, a week.

Definately an addition to the copy editor hall of fame.

Posted by: Don Ward on March 13, 2008 06:26 PM

2. You always need to remember that the WEA is totally against the WASL, as it puts pressure on their members to perform and leave the field of teaching. That is unacceptable to the WEA union. No child left behind is also associated with the Bush Administration and therefore a partisan issue for Democrats and their WEA supporters.

Liberal Democrats and WEA-union types will do anything in their power to discredit the WASL. If there is a school with a large minority group that doesn't pass the WASL and those children are denied diploma's, I believe that the WEA already has a lawsuit ready to file with a sympathetic judge that will charge that the WASL is a racist and discriminatory test.

Posted by: Rob on March 13, 2008 10:56 PM

3. So, the moral of the story is to go to school, study in your classes and you will pass the WASL. Sounds about right.

So, are we giving diplomas to those that don't pass the WASL and don't have enough credits?

Posted by: swatter on March 14, 2008 07:00 AM

4. Huh? Shouldn't that headline be "WASL will keep NONE from Diplomas"? I know for a fact that WASL requirement for graduation is "temporarily" on hold. How do I know? I have a son who is a class of 2008.

Posted by: DopioLover on March 14, 2008 09:14 AM

5. I do believe that passing WASL is keeping few from graduating as the WASL is not that hard to pass. After all we are spending millions with re-takes and classes specially tailored for WASL instruction.

I wonder how many students have left the public schools due to the WASL mess? I recently pulled my kids out of the Edmonds School District because of WASL. I am sick of every assignment being done the 'WASL way' which involves very little math, high focus on writing, and even drawing pictures. The Edmonds School District just announced that all high schools will get a late start during WASL They always did before, but I guess now it is official. And newspapers report the cost of the tenth grade WASL will soon be $28 per subject. This makes the tenth grade WASL $112 per student! I believe that is the most expensive exit exam in the nation.

Can some one please tell me why we wont simply substitute a passing SAT score for the WASL? It would save taxpayers money, possibly lure some parents back into public schools, prove that we care about college readiness (60 % of WASLized students need remedial math in college), and the SAT would not take up so much valuable class time. Imagine being done with testing in just a few days instead of weeks.

Please don't tell me the SAT is already an option. Students MUST FAIL the WASL twice before SAT option is even available and no one at any schools knows how to access the option. It is also noted on a student's transcripts in an unflattering way such as "passed WASL alternative" or something to that affect.

I am a strong republican, but I don't believe WASL is improving public education one bit!

Posted by: Whole Lotta Rosie on March 14, 2008 10:37 AM

6. I forgot to add my links.

Late start in Edmonds due to WASL: http://www.enterprisenewspapers.com/article/20080229/ETP06/985710518&template=ETPart

Cost of WASL going up: http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/education/story/298283.html

Posted by: Whole Lotta Rosie on March 14, 2008 10:57 AM

7. We should all be very worried about public education in America. I have seen first hand, the competition from India, China, and Japan. The majority of American kids today don't stand much of a chance.

If you get a chance, take a look at this movie:
http://www.2mminutes.com/

We should demand more from our kids, and not allow them to be iPod idiots.

Posted by: DJ on March 14, 2008 03:03 PM

8. Here is an example of a good student realizing that WASL has hinderred her education, therefor she refused to take it:

From the Spokesman Review

http://www.spokesmanreview.com/opinion/letter.asp?ID=16892

Letters to the editor
Student stands against WASL

I am a 3.97 GPA student; however, I may not graduate from high school, due to arbitrary decisions made by the school board. I achieved this grade point average while taking honors and AP classes, going beyond the minimal requirements for graduation. My reason for not graduating is due to the requirement to pass Washington's standardized test that has proven to be invalid.

The Washington Assessment of Student Learning is not a diagnostic test. The WASL is destroying our schools and contains documented errors. I am fully capable of passing the test; however, I refuse to be manipulated by state mandates. The test is detrimental to the educational system. Teachers only teach in order to pass the test; therefore, we students are cheated out of a true education.

Fortunately, through honors and AP classes, my teachers rise above the bureaucracy and provide me with an excellent education. I do not like to be a rebel, but I feel strongly about this. I stand up for what I believe in, in hopes of changing the system to benefit those who follow me.

Kimberly Braun
Spokane

Posted by: RMS on March 15, 2008 02:31 PM

9. DopioLover, your son is going to be in real trouble. The WASL requirement to graduate this year is very much in effect. Whoever told your son that was wrong.

Here's the URL for OSPI if you don't believe me:

http://www.k12.wa.us/GraduationRequirements/GradRequirements.aspx

"Students earn the Certificate of Academic Achievement by meeting state reading, writing and math standards on the High School Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) or on one of the Certificate of Academic Achievement Options (state-approved alternatives to the WASL)."

Posted by: westie on March 16, 2008 09:46 PM