WASL alternatives coming

By Doug Nadvornick, Spokane Public Radio

The Washington House today (Fri) voted to authorize the state school superintendent to develop new ways to assess student progress, other than the Washington Assessment of Student Learning, or WASL.

The bill’s sponsors say the WASL should continue to be the primary assessment tool. But Vancouver Representative Deb Wallace says good students who fail the WASL should be given other ways to show off what they know.

“We find that having alternatives is a valid way to assess their learning,” she said. “It is a valid way that also accepts and appreciates that children and that people have different styles and that we can still stay to the rigors of our education system.”

The bill requires the state superintendent’s office to develop, by next fall, three other assessment methods. That may include giving grades or college entrance exam scores more weight or may allow student portfolios to be considered before graduation.

Before the alternative assessments could be considered, the student must first take and fail the WASL, twice.

The House approved the bill by a 96-to-two vote and sent it to the governor for her signature.