Brief Description: Providing assistance for students who have not been successful in scoring at the proficient level on the WASL.

Sponsors: Representatives Hunter, Talcott, Quall, Tom, Hudgins, Simpson, Anderson, Haigh and Lantz.

Hearing Date: 3/2/05

Staff: Susan Morrissey (786-7111).

Background:

Beginning with the graduating class of 2008, most students will be required to obtain a Certificate of Academic Achievement in order to graduate from a public high school in the state. Students must attain the proficient level in reading, writing, and mathematics on the high school Washington Assessment of Student Learning in order to earn the Certificate. Science is added to the certificate in 2010.

About 65 percent of the high school students who took the WASL in the 2003-04 school year
scored at or above the proficient level in reading and writing. About 44 percent of the students were proficient in mathematics and 32 percent were proficient in science. The percentages of students of color who scored at the proficient level tended to be lower than the state average. For example, with the exception of Asian students, the percentages of students of color who met the proficient level in mathematics were: 16 percent of African-American students, 20 percent of Hispanic students, and 23 percent of American Indian students. The percentages are even lower for students in special programs. Five and one-half percent of special education students and about 10 percent of students with limited English proficiency attained the proficient level in mathematics on the WASL.

Summary of Bill:

Beginning no later than the 2006-07 school year, Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) will return the results of the high school Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) to school districts no later than June 1st of any year for any content area required for the Certificate of Academic Achievement.

The SPI will provide diagnostic instruments that school districts may use to assist high school students in the tenth through twelfth grades who are not on track to graduate on time. The instruments will be provided to school districts at no charge to be used to help shape the student plans that districts are required to prepare for the students.

By the 2006-07 school year, school districts will prepare student learning plans for tenth and eleventh grade students who were not successful in any content area of the high school WASL. The plan will include summer school for students who score below the basic level in any content area of the assessment. For students who met the proficient level in at least two content areas and the basic level in any other area, the plan will include assistance during the school year.

SPI will create and make available model curricula and instructional materials that school districts may use in high school summer programs that are provided to students who have not scored at the proficient level in the content areas required for the Certificate of Academic Achievement.

Each school district will provide diagnostic assessments and a summer school program for tenth through twelfth grade students who are required to obtain the Certificate of Academic Achievement but who score below the basic level in any content area on the WASL. The program may serve any student who scores below the proficient level in any content area of the assessment. The Legislature intends that the summer school programs have small class sizes taught by highly qualified certificated staff.

Each tenth through twelfth grade student who is required to obtain a Certificate of Academic Achievement in order to graduate will take diagnostic assessments provided by the school district if the student scores below the proficient level in any content area of the high school WASL.

Each high school student who is required to obtain a Certificate of Academic Achievement in order to graduate but who scores below the basic level in any content area of the WASL will retain sophomore status until the student either attends summer school or scores at or above the basic level in all content areas.

A null and void clause is attached.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.