But no: no more Math WASL.
In 2013, students will have a choice: Pass the math WASL, or two end-of-course exams. In some districts, those exams will be given at the end of Algebra I and Geometry I. In districts that mix those two subjects into "integrated" math classes, there will be end-of-course exams in Integrated Math I and II.And before you say anything: yes, I realize the title is ambiguous. It's on purpose.
In 2014, the math WASL is scheduled to end all together.
A bill that would have dumped the WASL in favor of end-of-course exams also passed last year, but Gregoire vetoed it, in part because she thought there were too many unanswered questions, said Judy Hartmann, her executive policy adviser for K-12 education.
Since then, however, the state Board of Education commissioned a study that looked at end-of-course exams in other states and concluded that both the math WASL and end-of-course exams can do a good job of assessing students' math skill.
1 comment:
Regarding your statement: "The WASL's been such a fixture on the landscape for so long, and Gregoire had previously been so adamant about preserving high standards." How is the WASL the equivalent of high standards? It seems obvious as long as the test is aligned to the standards (the upcoming newly revised version), it's the standards that drive the test no matter what test. The MATH portion of the WASL is an abysmal failure. End of course assessment will prove to help teachers in real time to start fixing the ailing math education in this state.
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