As we noted last week, this year's senior class erased a lot of concern about whether the reading and writing WASL standards posed a prohibitive hurdle to graduation. And the editorial pages reflect the relief.
The Spokesman-Review:
Terry Bergeson is rightly proud because the Class of 2008, which is the first to have to meet WASL standards, has shown that students are capable of succeeding when faced with higher goals. That, in turn, means their diplomas are more meaningful to them and potential employers.
The Walla Walla Union-Bulletin:
The high expectations put on the Class of 2008 when education reform was enacted have essentially been met. As the bar is raised higher in the coming years, we expect future classes will meet those expectations.
Our children should never be underestimated. When we expect great things of them, when we hold them to high standards, they usually deliver.
So yes, let’s call the first for-real WASL results pretty good. They could be better, and they don’t include math. But 90 percent in reading and writing – a number that will improve before it becomes final – isn’t bad at all.
And give John Laird of the Columbian the last word (h/t Mark Funk):
As founder of Fathers Against Mothers Against WASL, I hereby announce the following FAMAWASL resolution:
“Be it known, that if my kid cannot pass (with multiple retakes, multiple alternative assessments and multiple remediation programs) a test that 91 percent of his classmates passed, I don’t think I’ll be blaming the test.”
