Brief Description: Allowing certain national tests as multiple measures for mathematics.

Sponsors: Representatives Talcott, Quall, O'Brien, Cox, P. Sullivan, Curtis, Hunter, Morrell, Roach, Holmquist, Woods, Shabro, Walsh, Ericksen, Condotta, Anderson, McDonald, Serben, Nixon, Jarrett, Haler, Armstrong, McCune, Haigh, Sump, Priest, Tom, Simpson, Hinkle, Strow, Newhouse and Rodne.

Hearing Date: 1/23/06

Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).

Background:

Beginning with the graduating class of 2008, most students will be required to obtain a Certificate of Academic Achievement (Certificate) 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 (WASL) to earn a Certificate. Science will be added in 2010.

In 2004, the Legislature authorized the Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI) to develop options for one or more objective alternative assessments that high school students could use to demonstrate they meet the state academic standards required for high school graduation instead of relying on the WASL for this purpose. The alternatives must be comparable in rigor to the knowledge and skills assessed by the WASL and objective in determining that students meet the standards. To use an alternative, a student must take the WASL at least twice. Implementation of an alternative assessment for actual use must be formally approved by the Legislature.

According to SPI's feasibility study for the alternative assessments, several states with high school exit examinations similar to Washington permit students to use a substitute exam. North Carolina, Idaho, and Florida each permit scores on the ACT or the SAT to be used as an alternative to the state exam. North Carolina also permits scores from other college entrance or college placement tests to be used as an alternative assessment, such as the PSAT, COMPASS, or ACCUPLACER.

Summary of Bill:

A student's score on the mathematics portion of the PSAT, SAT, or ACT can be used as an objective alternative assessment for demonstrating that the student has met the mathematics standards to earn a Certificate for high school graduation. The State Board of Education identifies the scores students must achieve on these tests to meet the state standard for mathematics.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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