Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Education Committee

HB 1772

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: Regarding voluntary participation in the WASL by students enrolled in private schools.

Sponsors: Representatives Quall, Priest, P. Sullivan, McDermott, Kenney, Simpson, Kagi and Ormsby.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the superintendent to pay for the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) for private schools who choose to administer the test.
  • Allows individual private school students to take the WASL through the local school district at district expense.

Hearing Date: 2/16/07

Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).

Background:

Students in approved private schools are not required to take the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL). However, private schools can voluntarily choose to have their students take the WASL. To do so, the private school must contact the state's assessment contractor directly and make arrangements to have the test booklets delivered and scored. The school must sign an agreement to follow certain testing protocols in administering the test and maintain the security of the test documents.




The private school pays a per-student fee based on the number of test booklets scored and the content areas in the booklet. The 2007 fee schedule is:

   Grades 3, 5, 6 and 8       Math/Reading            $18 per student
   Grades 4 and 7          Math/Reading/Writing   $29 per student
   Grades 5 and 8         Science               $14 per student
   
   High School            Math                  $10 per student
                        Reading               $10 per student
                        Writing               $15 per student
                        Science               $14 per student

Parents of individual students whose private school does not administer the WASL can also request that their student take the WASL through their neighborhood school. The public school can charge the parent the same fees from the fee schedule for this service.

Summary of Bill:

If a significant number of students at an approved private school wish to take the WASL, the assessment contractor is authorized to provide the assessment at the school and have the private school administer it. The superintendent must pay the assessment contractor for the cost of the test, including scoring, but is not required to pay any costs for the private school to administer the test.

Individual private school students may take the WASL through the local school district at district expense.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available

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