What is the WASL?
April 19, 2010
- The WASL is a criterion-referenced test. Standardized tests measure our students against each other, while criterion-referenced tests measure our students against the testmakers´ concept of what our students “should” know and be able to do.
- All students are required to take this essay test called the WASL. It is not proven to be either valid or reliable. It is subjectively graded because it is an essay test and open to scoring errors. In 2000 the writing assessment part of the WASL had to undergo expensive rescoring because of problems with scoring the essay test. When it becomes mandatory to pass the WASL for high school graduation (2008) parents and teachers must have access to the scored WASL at every grade level.
- Statistics are not enough for teachers, parents, and students. Seeing the SCORED WASL test would provide valuable data, improve students´ success, and help teachers assist the student. SPI states the purpose of the new assessment is for teachers, parents, and students to know where learning needs additional work. The only way to accomplish this goal is to see the actual scored assessment. The SCORED WASL may not be viewed by teachers or staff. Parents may view their own child’s scored WASL only after filling out a special request form and must be monitored by a staff person while they are viewing the assessment.
- Many schools encourage teachers to give credit to students for “participation” in the WASL. This makes the WASL part of the classroom curriculum. Parents should be able to view all parts of the curriculum in which their student participates, including the scored WASL.
- The U. S. Department of Education has ruled, in a case in Connecticut, that a parent´s rights were violated under the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) when she was denied access to her daughter´s scored assessment. They concluded answer booklets, answer guides, and scoring criteria fall under the definition of “education record.” The procedures mentioned above were developed as a result.
Tags: WASL, assessments, reliability, valid
- The WASL is a criterion-referenced test. Standardized tests measure our students against each other, while criterion-referenced tests measure our students against the testmakers´ concept of what our students “should” know and be able to do.
- All students are required to take this essay test called the WASL. It is not proven to be either valid or reliable. It is subjectively graded because it is an essay test and open to scoring errors. In 2000 the writing assessment part of the WASL had to undergo expensive rescoring because of problems with scoring the essay test. When it becomes mandatory to pass the WASL for high school graduation (2008) parents and teachers must have access to the scored WASL at every grade level.
- Statistics are not enough for teachers, parents, and students. Seeing the SCORED WASL test would provide valuable data, improve students´ success, and help teachers assist the student. SPI states the purpose of the new assessment is for teachers, parents, and students to know where learning needs additional work. The only way to accomplish this goal is to see the actual scored assessment. The SCORED WASL may not be viewed by teachers or staff. Parents may view their own child’s scored WASL only after filling out a special request form and must be monitored by a staff person while they are viewing the assessment.
- Many schools encourage teachers to give credit to students for “participation” in the WASL. This makes the WASL part of the classroom curriculum. Parents should be able to view all parts of the curriculum in which their student participates, including the scored WASL.
- The U. S. Department of Education has ruled, in a case in Connecticut, that a parent´s rights were violated under the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) when she was denied access to her daughter´s scored assessment. They concluded answer booklets, answer guides, and scoring criteria fall under the definition of “education record.” The procedures mentioned above were developed as a result.
Tags: WASL, assessments, reliability, valid