Just what we need - MORE CHANGES

If you haven't seen this article in the Seattle Times you might want to take a look. It suggests that the next proposed changes to the WASL are not based on philosophy, but are instead a cost savings measure. I don't think so. Senator McAuliffe has long been a WASL dissenter and has spoken passionately from personal experience with her family.

It is becoming ever more clear that control of how we measure what young people need to know and be able to do is not at OSPI, but with the legislature and the State Board. With the recent proposed changes to the math standards it isn't just how we assess, but also the what. In about a year we have postponed the math WASL as a graduation requirement, have new proposed standards that we must again go through the costly and time consuming process of aligning with, and have two pieces of legislation moving through this term.

One of these pieces would put in place end of course assessments in algebra and geometry. The legislation doesn't remove the math WASL requirement at grade 10, but it is clear that this is the path that has been blazed. The second is contained in the Times article that would replace some of the short answer questions at grades 4 and 7 with multiple choice items to save money. There is additional information, but again it brings change to the current process.

These changes will be embraced by many in our profession and in our state that have long disagreed with the WASL requirements. I have not been one of those, but the changes are making me rethink my position. At some point in time we must come to agreement on what students need to know and be able to do in the content areas being assessed. Changing standards and changing assessments that force realignment keep us from what should be our primary focus, the interactions between young people and adults in every classroom. The art of teaching and the focus on other than content knowledge are being lost amid the changes and debate.

I don't know what will be next in this ever changing landscape of the WASL, but I do believe they are coming and that they will place additional speed bumps on our journey to Classroom 10. What do you think? Do the proposed changes better meet the needs of students or are we on a path to make it easier for students to meet standard? If math has caused this much debate and disagreement, what is the future of the science WASL and requirement?

On a humorous note check out this posting on Pouge's Posts. Just when you think you don't know much about the computer you use you run across some of these.