Washington Assessment of Student Learning - Grade 10
February and March Newsletter

In March and April, many of our students will take the High School Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL). Like other formal assessments, classroom tests, homework and grades, the WASL is another tool for evaluating student learning. The WASL is aligned to the state standards that are taught by teachers in our school. Multiple-choice questions, short-answer and essay questions on the WASL measure students' ability to show what they know and can do in essential areas of study.

                                 

The WASL is a mandatory test for tenth grade students in four subject areas: reading, writing, mathematics and science. Students in grades 9, 11 and 12 may also choose to participate in the High School WASL. Preliminary results of this year's WASL will be available to parents in June.

The High School WASL tests are scheduled for the following dates, beginning at 7:45 am:

Reading Writing Mathematics Science

March 10 and 11, 2008 March 12 and 13, 2008 April 15 and 16, 2008 April 17 and 18, 2008

Students need to be present for all sessions of each test to receive a score. Students who are absent for either session of a particular test will not receive a score for that test. Make-up testing for absent students will be August 11 – 15, 2008. 

Washington state law requires all 10th grade students to take the WASL. To be eligible for a Washington high school diploma, students who entered 9th grade after the fall of 2004 (includes this year’s 10th and 11th grade students) need to meet standard on the WASL in reading, writing, and mathematics.

To meet the WASL requirements for graduation, students can retake the WASL each spring and August of the tenth through twelfth grade. For students who have not yet passed a test after two attempts, alternates to WASL requirement for graduation are available. Please contact _____ for more information on these alternates, called the CAA Options. The state requirements for WASL participation and graduation may differ for some students receiving special education services.

Parents can do a great deal to make certain their children are prepared to take the WASL. We ask for your help in making sure students come to school well rested and have a good breakfast so they are ready to do their best on this assessment. If you have questions about the WASL, its scoring, or the administration of this exam, you may find a copy of 2006Aiming High: Helping All Students Achieve at High Levels, useful at this time. Feel free to contact ___________ for this guide to our state's student assessments.