N. Thurston juniors get second shot at WASL

Results could shape statewide pilot program

ALMA D. SHARPE THE OLYMPIAN

LACEY -- State officials will allow high school juniors in North Thurston Public Schools to retake parts of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning next month.

The students would take parts of the test that they failed as sophomores.

The move is a pilot program that could help tailor a statewide system that would help students who failed the test in 10th grade recover before their high school careers are over.

Beginning with the class of 2008 -- this year's sixth-graders -- students will be required to pass the test's four sections to get a Certificate of Mastery and qualify for graduation.

The four sections are reading, writing, listening and math.

Retaking the test, which is only happening in North Thurston schools, will give many students another chance at a personal goal -- especially those who almost passed it the first time around.

Louise Douglas, 16, a junior at North Thurston High School, said she passed all sections of the test except math, which she missed by 15 points out of 400.

While she doesn't have to pass the WASL to graduate, Douglas wants to do so because, like other students at her school, she's planning to submit the scores on applications for college and scholarships.

"I don't want to regret not retaking it since I was closer (to passing) than I thought," she said.

Mark of pride

In North Thurston schools, students receive a certificate when they take the test. The certificate is adorned with up to four gold seals, depending on the number of test sections the student passes.

If they pass all four, they also receive an honor cord at graduation.

North Thurston High Principal Karen Eitreim said students consider it a mark of distinction to receive all four gold seals on their certificate.

Eitreim believes the 44 students at her school who have signed up to retake the test so far are doing so for that reason.

"I've had situations where students missed passing by three or four points," Eitreim said. "That's very important to them, and you'll hear them say, 'I know I could do better.' "

The questions on the test change every year, so students retaking the test won't necessarily know the answers -- or the questions -- beforehand.

But they will have a better idea about the overall nature of the test, which should help, said 17-year-old Stephanie Foglia. She failed the math section by 5 points and is retaking it next month.

"I focused so much in the first part of the test that when I got to the middle, I was tired," Foglia said. "I know some students later said they didn't try as hard as they could have."

The WASL is intended to show whether schools and students have met the increased educational standards approved in 1993 by the Legislature.

However, most students across the state are still not passing all sections of the 10th-grade test -- 38.9 percent passed last year, up from 33 percent two years prior.

State officials want to make sure students have time to take the test again during the remainder of their high school years.

"There's always been a plan that there will be multiple opportunities for students to retake the test so they can move forward in their education," said Greg Hall, assistant superintendent for assessment and research in the state Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Showing the way?

State educators had hoped that there would be state funding to create a pilot program that would give students another shot at the test. But the program wasn't funded. Now officials hope that it can be funded in 2004 and 2005.

State officials will look at how North Thurston students do on their second try and use the information to plan for the future, Hall said.

Carolyn Lint, assistant superintendent for instructional services at North Thurston schools, said her district will do the same.

"What we're grappling with is, if a student fails a portion of the test, do they need (to take) a whole course to pass it, or are there tutorial-type things we can do to help them pass?" Lint said. "We don't want them to have to forgo taking courses in their senior year that could help them with their careers so they can take remedial classes" for the WASL.

Art Douglas, Louise's dad, is one of many parents who want students to have another shot at the test.

His daughter became interested in retaking the test when she realized it could make a difference with college applications, Douglas said.

"I'm a firm believer in second chances," he said. "It shouldn't be do or die."

Alma D. Sharpe covers education for The Olympian. She can be reached at 360-754-4226 or asharpe@olympia.gannett. com.

On the Web:

- North Thurston Public Schools

- Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction

- Washington Assessment of Student Learning Scores

The Olympian Copyright 2002

back to main Home Page Stories index