WASL Results Are In
YAKIMA -- The state's WASL numbers are in.
And we've got good news and bad news.
The good news is that more than 93 percent of seniors in this year's graduating class passed the reading and writing portions.
The bad news once again...math scores remain low.
It was the math scoring that once again has school administrators scratching their heads. Barely three-quarters of seniors taking the test could pass it.
But it's the class of 2011 -- that's showing a real need for improvement. Sophomores did what was expected by the state superintendant when it came to reading. 78-percent proved proficient.
It was a similar story with writing... 82-percent working at a satisfactory level.
But take a look. This year's WASL results show less than half the entire state's 10th graders are understanding basic, grade level math. In fact, tenth graders have never been able to pass a 51-percent proficiency mark since the test was first given in 2000.
Those math scores might have you asking whether math is even being taught in Washington. But here's the truth behind those scores. The math section of the WASL is comprised of word problems... and is being given to a huge population of students, particularly here in central Washington whose first language is Spanish."
It is tough for anyone analyzing these math scores to put much stock in them because while there is undoubtedly much room for improvement, having half the kids fail is hardly what individual districts are seeing.
Keep in mind, the WASL's days are numbered.
The state is already changing the test to more accurately gauge your student's progress.
However those changes are still years away.
And we've got good news and bad news.
The good news is that more than 93 percent of seniors in this year's graduating class passed the reading and writing portions.
The bad news once again...math scores remain low.
It was the math scoring that once again has school administrators scratching their heads. Barely three-quarters of seniors taking the test could pass it.
But it's the class of 2011 -- that's showing a real need for improvement. Sophomores did what was expected by the state superintendant when it came to reading. 78-percent proved proficient.
It was a similar story with writing... 82-percent working at a satisfactory level.
But take a look. This year's WASL results show less than half the entire state's 10th graders are understanding basic, grade level math. In fact, tenth graders have never been able to pass a 51-percent proficiency mark since the test was first given in 2000.
Those math scores might have you asking whether math is even being taught in Washington. But here's the truth behind those scores. The math section of the WASL is comprised of word problems... and is being given to a huge population of students, particularly here in central Washington whose first language is Spanish."
It is tough for anyone analyzing these math scores to put much stock in them because while there is undoubtedly much room for improvement, having half the kids fail is hardly what individual districts are seeing.
Keep in mind, the WASL's days are numbered.
The state is already changing the test to more accurately gauge your student's progress.
However those changes are still years away.
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