| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Education Committee | |
HB 1194
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: Providing temporary provisions to allow students who did not meet standards on the mathematics WASL to graduate.
Sponsors: Representatives McDermott, Santos, Miloscia, Appleton, Ormsby, Dickerson, Darneille, Schual-Berke, Simpson, Wallace, Hasegawa, Kenney and Barlow; by request of Governor Gregoire and Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/30/07
Staff: Barbara McLain (786-7383).
Background:
Beginning with the class of 2008, most students will be required to earn a Certificate of
Academic Achievement (CAA) for high school graduation. Students earn a CAA by meeting the
state standard on the high school Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) or an
approved alternative assessment in reading, writing, and mathematics. Students in special
education who are not appropriately assessed using the WASL can earn a Certificate of
Individual Achievement (CIA), which is also required for graduation in 2008. Beginning in
2010, students will also have to meet the state standard in science for a CAA. Students have the
opportunity to retake the WASL four times between tenth grade and their expected graduation
date.
Students in the class of 2008 took the high school WASL in the spring of 2006. Of those who
took the test, the percent who met standard was:
Reading: 85.7 percent
Writing: 83.7 percent
Mathematics: 54.1 percent
All Three Subjects: 53.5 percent
About 30 percent of those who did not meet standard in one or more of the subjects retook the
WASL in August 2006. As a result, the current cumulative percent of students in the class of
2008 who have taken the WASL and met the standard for high school graduation is:
Reading: 87.2 percent
Writing: 85.7 percent
Mathematics: 57.7 percent
All Three Subjects: 55.5 percent
The next opportunity for the class of 2008 to retake the WASL will be March and April of 2007,
near the end of their junior year in high school.
Summary of Bill:
Students in the graduating classes of 2008, 2009, and 2010 may graduate from high school
without a CAA or CIA if they meet all of the following criteria:
1. They have not met the state standard in mathematics on the WASL, an approved alternative
assessment, or an alternative for eligible special education students;
2. They have met the state standard in the other required content areas;
3. They have met all other state and school district graduation requirements;
4. They continue to take the mathematics WASL (or appropriate alternative for special
education students) at least once a year until graduation; and
5. They successfully earn one additional high school mathematics credit after their junior year,
designed to increase their proficiency toward meeting state standards in mathematics on the
WASL. This requirement is two additional credits after their sophomore year for students in
the classes of 2009 and 2010.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.