Subject of Possible Rule Making: Rules implementing alternative assessment methods to the Washington assessment of student learning (WASL). The rules may also include eligibility criteria to access an alternative assessment method; a process for students to appeal the score they receive on the WASL or any approved alternative assessment method; and guidelines and an appeal process for waiving specific requirements pertaining to the certificate of academic achievement and to the certificate of individual achievement as authorized in RCW 28A.655.065 (8)(b).

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 28A.655.061 and 28A.655.065.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The superintendent of public instruction (OSPI) is required to implement objective alternative assessment methods for students to demonstrate achievement of the state standards in content areas in which the student has not yet met the standard on the high school WASL. The alternative assessment methods may require a student to comply with eligibility criteria in addition to that set forth in statute. Additionally, the superintendent is required to develop a process for students to appeal the score they receive on the WASL and may provide for an appeals process for those alternative assessment methods implemented by OSPI. Once objective alternative assessments are authorized, a student may use the assessments to demonstrate that the student successfully meets the state standards for that content area if the student has retaken the WASL at least once. If the student successfully meets the state standards on the objective alternative assessments then the student shall earn a certificate of academic achievement.

     Process for Developing New Rule: The process for developing alternative assessments to the WASL have included consultation with state and national experts in all three content areas (reading, writing and mathematics). A pilot project was implemented evaluating the alternative assessment for the collection of work samples. The collection of work samples alternative assessment method was approved by the state board of education (SBE) using a process that included consultation with district superintendents, school principals, other educators and the public. The SBE must identify the cut score for the PSAT/ACT/SAT mathematics equivalency. This process will require consultation with state and national experts. An opportunity for educators and the public to provide input will precede any approval by the SBE. The superintendent will be determining which high school courses are applicable to the alternative assessment method using the WASL/GPA comparison.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested parties can contact the following person to participate in the process relating to the adoption of these rules or for information regarding this proposed rule making: Amanda Mount, CAA Options Analyst, Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, P.O. Box 47200, Olympia, WA 98504-7200, (360) 725-6037, TDD (360) 664-3631, fax (360) 725-6332, e-mail amanda.mount@k12.wa.us, www.k12.wa.us/assessment/CAAoptions.

November 1, 2006

Dr. Terry Bergeson

Superintendent of

Public Instruction

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office