Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL)
What is the "WASL"?
The Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) is a test for measuring what students know and can do. Students take the WASL in fourth, seventh, and tenth grades. They are tested in the areas of math, reading, writing, and science.
Why is the WASL important?
Beginning with the class of 2008, WASL test scores in reading and writing will determine whether seniors graduate from high school. Since Black students score lower than other groups on the reading and writing sections, many fear that the WASL will cause low graduation rates among Black students to get even worse.
Math Requirement for Grads Postponed
Legislation enacted in the 2007 Session postponed the math portion of the WASL for high school graduation. More Info
Alternatives to the WASL
There also are alternatives to the WASL, largely because advocates in communities of color -- especially the Equal Opportunity Caucus -- fought for these options. More Info
What benefit is the WASL to Black students?
The WASL is an imperfect tool for measuring student assessment. Even so, it has highlighted the fact that public schools are not educating all Black children effectively.
The challenge for policy makers now is raising the level of achievement for all children, now that the WASL has sharply highlighted the inequities. This work must include making schools accountable when students fail.
