State amends math graduation requirement

COLUMBIA BASIN — Graduation requirements have changed for high school students who did not pass the math portion of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning.

Gov. Chris Gregoire signed House Bill 1562 into law, allowing students who failed the math WASL to graduate without retaking the assessment.

Students who did not pass the test in 10th grade must continue taking math classes their junior and senior years.

Previously, a student who failed the test needed to take math classes and retake the math WASL at every opportunity available.

“This is a common sense change to the law,” stated Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn. “There’s still plenty of incentive for students to pass a math exam by the 11th grade. We just want to ensure that students have the basic math skills before they take the next step in life, whether it’s college or the workforce.”

Michelle Price, Moses Lake School District assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, said the district is supportive of the change.

“We like the bill. We think it offers some opportunity for some kids who have worked to grow their math skills, offers the ability to graduate,” Price said.

Price said some district students missed an opportunity to take the math WASL after failing the first time. Under the old law, the students would not graduate. Now, they have a second chance to earn their diploma.

Price said students still need to take the WASL their sophomore year of high school. If they fail, they must take two additional years of math.

“This doesn’t let them off the hook at all,” she said.

Othello School District Superintendent George Juarez said the students at Othello High School, who failed the math WASL, continued taking the test at available opportunities.

Juarez said except for proctoring and administering the exam, the district would not be impacted by the change. The same number of math classes will continue to be offered.

The change will reduce the state’s spending to administer the test, he said.

Quincy School District Superintendent Burton Dickerson said his initial impression of the change is that it is a “common-sense adjustment to the rules.”

Dickerson was unsure how many students might have a new chance to graduate as a result of the change. High school administrators are on spring break, he said.