WASL CUT

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Story Published: Jan 21, 2009 at 6:39 PM PDT

By Melissa Wagner

New State Superintendent, Randy Dorn, is making good on a campaign promise to cut the test. The new test will be called the "Washington Comprehensive Assessment Program (WCAP)." It will replace the WASL by next year.

Superintendent Dorn says it's about time we have a test that makes sense to teachers, students and families. "Students, parents and teachers will get an actual view of how students are doing. What their strengths and weaknesses are," said Dorn.

The WCAP will measure students for grades 3 through 8. And then the high school exams will meet the graduation requirements for reading and writing. "So you can design a better education program for that student and design a curriculum to better meet the needs of students so they will learn more," said Dorn.

The program will begin about a year from now, in the spring of 2010. Taking the test on a computer will save the districts a lot of time. By the spring of the following year, districts can begin offering a second testing date. And three years from now, all grades should be able to test on the computer.

But what about our kid's math and science requirements? Dorn says " Today I think we are ready to put final touches on what we expect in math and the test but we are not near ready to go to science." He hopes lawmakers would make science a requirement only after the test is checked out with the changed curriculum.

Teachers say don't forget about their English as second language students. " We'll be looking at opportunities to expand students of second language students to make it fair," said Dorn. The test will be offered in Spanish and Russian, starting next spring.

Dorn does not have to wait for approval from the Legislature or governor to put these changes into effect. He has the authority to revise the the statewide academic assessment system, and mandate that all school districts follow the changes. Though he is required to consult with the State Board of Education. The Education Committees in the House can review the assessment and changes before they're made.

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