I know the year is coming to an end when we enter the graduation week. This week is it, with Tahoma High School on Tuesday and Maple Valley High School on Friday. At each ceremony I have the honor of accepting the class as having met the graduation requirements and I also have a short time to share a message. Considering that this is the first class facing the WASL as a graduation requirement, what would you say? What point(s) would you want to make on this special occasion?
It appears that we have only one student that will not be able to walk because of not meeting standard on a WASL assessment. A second student did not meet standard, but does not have enough credits to graduate. We, like most districts, have more students not graduating because of credit deficiencies than we do because of not meeting WASL requirements. This was not what many anticipated when the requirements were first adopted or even a few years ago. Does this change your mind about the WASL?
We all know that if the math requirement had not been altered from the assessment to a class or other alternative the situation would be very different. It also does not speak to the large difference between the number of students starting this class as ninth graders and the number graduating. Across the state 91% have met the standard. Does this make all the effort at creating standards and all the time and money spent on assessments good for education and for students?
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2 comments:
I think it is great to have goals toward which to aim, but I feel that the WASL has put more emphasis on "tests" than on learning the subjects which will give students what they need in the real world. When I think back on my school days, we didn't have any WASL testing or requirements for graduation. The emphasis was on teaching reading, writing, arithmetic, science and more. The teachers had the leeway and freedom to teach as they saw fit to guide and direct their students. It seems now that the teachers are strapped by the overwhelming requirements and standards as dictacted by the state. I don't think they have the opportunity to share what they love to teach because of being hindered by so many "rules." A few tests along the way to make sure students are on the right track should suffice. The requirement that these students must pass WASL to graduate is both intimidating and unnecessary as long as the schools and teachers are teaching their students their respective subjects in a responsible way.
From a parent's point of view.
All we have now is teachers teaching to a test. Take a look in any LA room. We are taking student creativity away by focusing on these tests. Teachers become robots teaching what kids need to do well in school while overlooking what is truly important, "What will they need in the real world?"
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