Sadly, if a lie is repeated often enough, it eventually becomes believed as the truth. Educators, legislators, the media, educators, and others have all been referring to the MSP and HSPE—and the former State assessment, the WASL—as “standardized” tests. Not True.
WASL
The WASL as we knew it is being phased out. We don’t yet know whether the new assessments will be an improvement. Here are reports, analyses, letters, articles, and commentaries from the WASL era. They will explain some of the issues surrounding the WASL, and will help explain the reason for the changes in the new assessments.
The subjective WASL Scores between 1999 and 2005 showed 10th graders improving, but the objective Iowa test scores showed students scores remaining at a steady plateau.
Whether or not to use the state assessment as a graduation requirement is a state decision. It is not required by the federal No Child Left Behind law.
Information from the website of the Office of the Washington State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
The following opinion piece was sent as a press release on June 4, 2001, from the offices of Sen. Harold Hochstatter (R – Moses Lake) and Sen. Val Stevens (R – Arlington). Although the specific supporting statistics cited are somewhat dated, the problem they illustrate has not been solved. The WASL is still biased against boys.
Did you know the WASL is an “assessment” not a “test”. What is the difference between “valid” and “reliable” in an assessment or test? Find out more.
The 2006 Legislature directed the WSIPP, under Senate Bill 6618, to “conduct a study to explore options to augment the current system of assessments…” The bill directed the Institute to consult with a broad range of groups, and CURE was among the participating groups.