| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Education Committee | |
HB 2976
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Approving the segmented mathematics assessment as an alternative assessment.
Sponsors: Representatives Sullivan, Haigh, Quall, Liias and Nelson; by request of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/29/08
Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).
Background:
In 2006, the Legislature directed the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) to
develop a 10th grade mathematics assessment that would present the Essential Academic
Learning Requirements (EALRs) in discrete segments that could be separately assessed using a
valid and reliable tool comparable in rigor to the Washington Assessment of Student Learning
(WASL) when all of the segments are combined.
In 2006-07, the OSPI developed three course segments and assessments (Number Sense and
Algebraic Sense, Geometric Sense and Measurement, and Probability and Statistics) and
provided training to school districts on the course content, instructional modules, and
accompanying assessments. The courses are designed to provide instruction for students who
score at Levels 1 and 2 on the high school WASL. Students must earn a comparable number of
total points across the three assessments to what is required for the WASL.
More than 8,000 students took the first assessment segment in December 2007.
Students who do not meet the state standard on the 10th grade WASL may attempt to
demonstrate their knowledge and skills through a number of different alternative assessments.
To be used as an alternative to the WASL, an assessment must be expressly authorized by the
Legislature for that purpose.
Summary of Bill:
Beginning in the 2007-08 school year, students may use the following as an approved alternative
assessment to the high school mathematics WASL: an assessment option developed by the OSPI
that presents the EALRs in segments; is comparable in content and rigor to the WASL when all
segments are considered together; is reliable and valid; is administered in conjunction with a
segmented mathematics course; and can be used to determine whether a student has met the high
school standard.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.